The faithful and diligent Christian described and exemplified, or, A sermon (with some additions) preached at the funeral of the Lady Elizabeth Brooke, the relict of Sir Robert Brooke, Kt. ... who departed this life July 22, and was interred in the parish-church of Yoxford, July 26, 1683, and in the 82d year of her age to which is annexed ... an account of the life and death of that eminent lady : with an appendix containing some observations, experiences, and rules for practice, found written with Her Ladiship's own hand / by Nath. Parkhurst ...

THE Life and Death Of the LADY ELIZABETH BROOKE.

THE Lady Elizabeth Brooke was born at Wigsale in Sus∣sex, in January, 1601; Her Father was Thomas Culpepper of Wigsale in Sussex,Esquire, a Branch of an antient Family of Gentry of that Name, which was afterwards in her Brother advan∣ced into the Rank of the Nobi∣lity, who for his great Loyalty, and eminent Services done to the Crown, was created a Baron by Charles the First, with the Title

of, [John Lord Culpepper of Tho∣resway.] Her Mother [was the Daughter of Sir Stephen Slaney.

Thus she had the Honour of a Genteel Extraction, and a Noble Alliance; and as her Family deri∣ved an Honour upon her, so she hath reflected an additional Glory upon her Family, by her great Vertues, having been one of the most Accomplished Persons of the Age, whether considered as a Lady, or a Christian.

While she was in her Infancy, she lost her Mother, and in her Childhood her Father; so that she came early under the more peculiar Care and Patronage of God, who is in an especial man∣ner, the Father of the Father∣less.

Her first Education was under her Grand-mother by the Mo∣ther's side, the Lady Slaney.

She had rare Endowments of Nature, an excellent Mind lodged in a fine Body, and under a beau∣tiful Aspect, something of which remained even in her old Age. She had an extraordinary quick∣ness of Apprehension, a curious Fancy, great Solidity of Judg∣ment, and a considerable Me∣mory.

She was married very young to Sir Robert Brooke, Knight, (de∣scended from a younger Brother of the Antient and Noble Family of the Brooks, formerly Lord Cobham,) a Person of a good Estate and Vertue, who lived with her six and Twenty Years, and died July 10. 1646; by whom she had seven Children,

three Sons, and four Daughters, viz.

James, who died an Infant.

John, who lived Twenty six Years, and was married, but di∣ed without Issue, Anno Dom. 1652.

Robert, who had the Honour of Knighthood conferred upon him upon the King's Restaurati∣on; a Gentleman of fine Parts, and great Loyalty to his Prince, and Fidelity to his Country: He was a Member of that Parliament which brought the King from his Exile, and of the following Par∣liament which began May the 8th, 1661.

He died as he was travelling through France, Anno Dom. 1669, in the 33d Year of his Age, much lamented by his Friends and Ac∣quaintance: He was married al∣so, but left no Childeren.

Mary her Eldest Daughter, and the only Survivor, who inherits much of her Grace and Vertues.

Elizabeth and Martha, Persons of great Piety, were married to Gentlemen of fair Estates, and good Reputation, who had di∣vers Children, and died, the El∣der Anno Dom. 1647/8, in the 25th Year of her Age; the Younger Anno Dom. 1657, about the 29th Year of her Age.

Anne, who died in her Child∣hood.

They continued the two first Years in London, as Boarders, in the House of the Lady Weld, her Aunt: From thence they remo∣ved to Langly in Hartfordshire, a Seat which her Husband purcha∣sed purposely for her Accommo∣dation, that she might be nearer, her Friends in London. And after

some Years stay there, they came to Cockfield, his Paternal Seat, and there she passed the Residue of her Earthly Pilgrimage, excepting the two first Years of her Widow∣hood. In all which places she lived a rare Example of Good∣ness, and left a good Name be∣hind her in every place, from which she departed; and especi∣ally in the last, where she passed the most, and last, and best of her time, and from which her Soul was translated to Heaven.

She had many Excellencies which recommended her to all that had the Happiness to know her. But the greatest glory that shined in her, was in Religion, in which she was not only sincere, but excelled.

To which general Head may be referred the following things,

as the distinct Flowers in that Crown of Righteousness.

She devoted her self to God and Religion very early, rising in the Morning of her Age, to at∣tend the Work and Service of her great Lord, Remembring her Creator in the days of her Youth: She made haste, and delayed not to keep his Com∣mandments. And this she pursued with great steadiness through the course of a long Life: So that she was not only an Aged Person, but (which is a great Honour in the Church of God) an Old Disci∣ple.

And having begun thus early to apply her self to Religion in the Power and Strictness of it: Parts and Industry, and length of Time, and the use of excellent Books, and Converse with Learn∣ed

Men uniting together, rendred her one of the most knowing Persons of her Sex, especially in Divinity, and in the Scriptures, which made her wise unto Salva∣tion.

And this Knowledg was not confined to the Practical, but ex∣tended also to the Controversal, and Critical Part, even to the Difficul∣ties concerning Scripture-Chro∣nology, and the Solutions of ma∣ny of them.

She was able to discourse per∣tinently upon any of the great Heads of Theology. She could oppose an Atheist by Arguments drawn from the Topicks in Natu∣ral Theology, and answer the Arguments of Papists, Socinians, Pelagians, &c. by the Furniture against them in the Holy Scrip∣tures.

I never knew any other Person that had so great a Knowledg in Divinity, who was not skill'd in the Learned Languages; so that, no Scholar could repent the time spent in Converse with her: For she could bear such a part in Dis∣courses of Divinity, whether Di∣dactical, Polemical, Casuistical, or Textual, that some of her Chap∣lains have professed, they have been sometimes more, profitable and pleasant than their own Studies, and that they themselves did learn, as well as teach.

This perhaps may seem incre∣dible to them that were not ac∣quainted with her. But some∣thing of the Wonder will be a∣bated, by shewing how she at∣tained her Excellent Knowledg.

She was an Indefatigable Rea∣der of Books, of the Scriptures

especially, and various Commen∣tators upon them, the best that our Language affords, which per∣haps are not exceeded by any other. She had turned over a Multitude, not only of Practical Treatises, but also of Learned Books, and amongst many others, some of those of the Antient Phi∣losophers, translated into English, gathering much from those great Lights among the Heathens, so that she could interpose wisely in a Discourse purely Philosophical.

She was also a most diligent Inquirer, and made use of all Learned Men of her Acquain∣tance to increase her Knowledg, by moving Questions concerning the most material things, as Cases of Conscience, and hard Texts of Scripture, and the Accomplish∣ment of the Divine Prophecies.

She generally also took Notes out of the many Books she read, that she might with the less La∣bour recover the Notions again, without reading them a second time.

And She used a mighty Indu∣stry to preserve what either in∣structed her Mind, or affected her Heart in the Sermons she had heard: To these she gave great Attention in the Assembly, and heard them repeated in her Family. After this she would discourse of them in the Evening: And in the following Weeks, she had them again repeated, and discoursed the matter of them to some of her Family in her Chamber. And besides all this, she wrote the Sub∣stance of them, and then digested many of them into Questions and Answers, or under Heads of

common Places; and then they became to her Matter for repeated Meditation. And by these Me∣thods she was always increasing her Knowledg, or confirming the things that were known.

And having a great Treasure of Knowledg, she improved it (through Divine Assistance, which she was most ready to acknowledg) into a suitable Practice, working out her Salvation with Fear and Trem∣bling, and was zealous of good Works.

Her Piety was exact, putting Rules upon her self in all things; and universal, having respect to all God's Commands, equally regarding the two Tables of the Law. It was also constant, and affectionate; her whole Heart was given up to it, and a holy Zeal attended it, which Zeal was guided by much Wisdom

and Prudence, the Prudence ne∣ver degenerating into Craft, no∣thing appearing in all her Con∣verse contrary to Sincerity.

It was also serious, solid, and substantial, not touched with En∣thusiasm; yet she had a great re∣gard to the Spirit of God, as speaking in the Scriptures, and by them guiding the Understanding, and operating upon the Heart.

And as her own Practice was holy, so she endeavoured also that her Family might walk in the same Steps, providing for them the daily help of Prayer Morning and Evening, with the reading of the Scriptures; and on the Lord's-day the Repetition of what was preached in the Publick Con∣gregation. And for their further Benefit, she many Years toge∣ther procured a Grave Divine to

perform the Office of a Catechist in her House, who came con∣stantly every Fortnight, and ex∣pounded methodically the Prin∣ciples of Religion, and exami∣ned the Servants, which was for∣merly done by her Chaplains, till the Service of God in her Family, and the Care of the Pa∣rish were committed to the same Person. Thus, with Joshua, she resolved that She and her House should serve the Lord.

With her Piety and Godliness, there was joyned much Christian Love, which was universal, ex∣tending to all Mankind, never suffering her self to hate or de∣spise (or over-look, unless in the way of Censure for a Crime) any Person in the World, abhor∣ring only what was vicious and e∣vil in them.

But this Universal Charity ad∣mitted a Difference, so as that the more Christian and Holy any were, the more They had of Her Regard. That Image of God that shined in a good Conversa∣tion, she could not overlook in any, though in some respects they were less acceptable to her, valuing Grace above all the Ac∣complishments of Parts, Breed∣ing, and Accord in lesser things.

And besides that, all were dear to her, in whom appeared the Fear of God; she had also a most peculiar value for his Am∣bassadours and Ministers, the Guides of Souls, receiving them in their Ministrations, as Angels of God, fearing the Lord, and obeying the Voice of his Servants, esteeming what they delivered, in consent with the holy Scriptures,

as his Message and Word.

She was very exact in matters of Justice, and in rendring to all their Dues, not suffering any Blot to cleave to her Hand; and could not endure to have any thing without a Title in Conscience, as well as in Law; and was particularly tender in reference to Tithes, and gave away all that she held by that* 1.1 Title, to him that took the Care of the Souls, reserving only a little Portion yearly, for repairing the‖ 1.2 Edifices.

Her Charity and Alms-giving was very great, and much ad∣mired by all that observed it, though they knew only some part of it; Every one that needed it, had it in proportion to their Ne∣cessities, and in the kind that was most suitable to their particular Wants. She esteemed her self but

as a Steward of her Estate, and therefore gave away a great part of it to encourage the Ministry, and to relieve the Indigent. She dispersed abroad and gave to the Poor, and Her Righteousness remains for ever. She did most frequently cast her Bread upon the Waters, and gave a Portion to seven, and to eight, and lent much to the Lord. And this she did willingly and chearfully, and was ready to these good Works; so that when there was any occasion that solicited her Charity, it was never any Que∣stion with her, whether she should give, or not give, but on∣ly in what Proportion she should extend her Bounty. And for that she would many times most frankly refer her self to others; saying, I will give what ever you think is fit and meet in this Case,

having in this respect an Heart as large as the Sand on the Sea-shore, and a most open Hand.

And as the Poor had her Cha∣rity in abundance, so her Friends, who needed not that kind of Bounty, were yet Witnesses of her great Liberality and Genero∣sity, by which she adorned Re∣ligion, and gained many to speak well of it.

Her Generosity was such, That one would have imagined there was no room for Alms; and her Charity such, that it was won∣dered how she could so plentiful∣ly entertain her Friends. But a provident Frugality and Manage∣ment, with the Divine Blessing, enabled her to both to Admira∣tion.

And her Charity was not only extended to the Bodies of others,

but she also most readily afforded Counsel and Comfort to them that repaired to her for Assistance in the Concerns of their Souls, though of meaner Rank and Condition in the World. To such she would speak wisely, hear them patiently, and treat them compassionately when un∣der Temptations, and Disquiet of Mind. One of her own Ser∣vants coming to her Closet upon this account, and beginning to open to her the Grief of her Heart; She required her for that time, to forget she was a Servant, and dis∣coursing with her with great Tender∣ness and Prudence in reference to her Temptations, dismissed her comforted, and much revived. And very ma∣ny others she received with the greatest Freedom, ministring spi∣ritual Comfort to them. That

part of Religion which is peculi∣arly stiled Devotion, was the Joy of her Life, and the Delight of her Soul. A very considerable Portion of her Time was daily employed in Prayer, searching the Scriptures, and in holy Medi∣tations. These things were her proper Element, and in them, she would often profess, she found her greatest Refreshments; in these she conversed with God, and was then least alone when most alone. For she did not meerly perform these Duties, nor generally engage in them as a Task, but observed the frame of her Spirit in them, and commanded the Affections of her Soul to wait upon God, not being satisfied without some Emotions of Mind suitable to these holy Exercises, as she hath often professed, and which I gathered from her com∣plaining

sometimes of her Infirmities, and of the Difficulty of Praying a∣right, and of preserving throughout that Duty a due Sence of God.

The Christian Sabbath was also her Delight, and a Day in God's Courts better to her than a thou∣sand elsewhere; and her Enjoy∣ment of God in the Publick Or∣dinances, and Services of that Day, was to her as a little Heaven upon Earth. And the Impressi∣ons she received by attending those holy Institutions were such, as that she long'd in the Week, for the return of the Sabbath. And great was her Affliction when her Hearing was so impaired that she could not attend the Publick Wor∣ship of God, though few were better furnished to supply that Want by private Exercises, and Closet-Devotions.

And having so eminently prized and improved the Lord's-Days, it pleased God on the Evening of one of them to take her to him∣self, there to keep an Everlasting Sabbath, in his most immediate and glorious Presence, in the Arms of Christ, the Beloved of her Soul, and in the Assembly of Angels, Pa∣triarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, and all departed Saints.

And (which deserves Admira∣tion) in the midst of all these At∣tainments, Vertues and Graces, she was greatly humble, and clothed with the Ornament of a Lowly Spirit; and while many admired the Example she gave in the World, She apprehended that others excelled her in Grace and Godliness, and continually reckoned her self among the least of Saints. For notwithstanding her Quality

in the World, her exquisite Know∣ledge, eminent Grace, and the mighty Value her Friends had just∣ly for her; I could never observe (in the whole Course of eigh∣teen Years Converse) the least Indication of vain Glory, or self-Admiration in her.

And her Humility was of an excellent kind, the Fruit of great Knowledg, proceeding also from a deep Sense of the Fall, the Cor∣ruption of Man's Nature, the Imperfection of Mortification in this present State, and the Re∣mains of Sin in them that are sanctified; and was nourished by a great Sight of God, and Ac∣quaintance with him, and fre∣quent Self-Examinations, and by observing how Sin mingles it self in our best Actions, and most holy Duties; and by a diligent

comparing her Self, and her Acti∣ons, with the exact Rules of the Scriptures.

Which Grace of Christian Hu∣mility was the more illustrious in her, by the Accession of the Ver∣tue of Courtesy, which she had in a high degree, entertaining all Persons with Civilities proper to their several Qualities; so that she obliged all, though she was ever∣more careful that nothing in Con∣versation might border upon those Freedoms that dishonour God, and blemish the Christian Professi∣on; by this means adorning the Gospel, and shewing that Religi∣on, though it requires great Strict∣ness, yet it doth not necessarily introduce either Melancholly, or Moroseness. And (which is a much greater thing than to be courteous in the highest degree)

as a real Disciple of Christ, she had learned to deny her self, and could abridge her own Right, that she might thereby promote the Glory of God, benefit others, a∣void Offence, and maintain Love and Peace.

And which may properly be subjoyned to her Self-denial, as a Grace equal to it, she industri∣ously avoided Censoriousness, (dis∣liking it in others) and endea∣voured to make the best Interpre∣tation of both Words and Actions, not lightly speaking Evil of any, nor readily receiving an evil Re∣port. And above all things she abhorred to be Censorious in re∣ference to Preachers, and Sermons, of which she was a most candid and equal Hearer, Judicious, and Critical enough, but not Captious in the least. If but Truth were

spoken, and Piety urged in any ordinary method, she was satisfied, so as not to find fault. But the Sermons which she preferred, were either Discourses greatly Ration∣al, or such as did particularly il∣lustrate the sense of the Scrip∣tures, or discover the Excellency of the Gospel; or such as dis∣played Christ in his Person, Un∣dertaking, and Offices; or such as discovered the difference between the Real and Almost Christian; and such as did most nearly approach the Conscience, and urge the Ex∣acted Conversation, and the go∣verning the Heart, Thoughts, and inward Affections.

In all her Relations she demean∣ed her self as a Christian. She was a faithful, dutiful, loving and prudent Wife; And the Heart of her Husband safely trusted in her.

She was a most affectionate, ten∣der Wife, and watchful Mother, restraining her Children from E∣vil, according to her power, and bringing them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord, most constantly endeavouring to inftil into their Minds the Princi∣ples of Justice, Holiness, and Cha∣rity. To them that became her Children by marrying into her Fa∣mily, she was most kinde, and treated them as her own. To her Servants and Tenants she was just and kind; and to her Neighbours, all that they could desire.

To her particular Friends, she was endeared by her Prudence, Fidelity, and almost Excesses of Love, and improving of Friend∣ship to serve the great Ends of Religion, which are the honour∣ing of God, and the bettering one

another. She was also a Loyal Subject to her Prince, of which there is full Evidence in this fol∣lowing Relation, which was communicated to me by one of her intimate Friends.

When his late Majesty was in his Enemies Hands, and they were preparing for the horrid Murther of that Excellent Prince, she was most passionately concerned, and being very earnestly desirous that an Hand from Heaven might have prevented that Wickedness, kept a private Fast in her Closet on his behalf. And when she knew that God, in just Judgment to the Nation, had permitted Men to take away his precious Life; she resented it with the Passions of a Mother, professing that the loss of one of her dearest Children came not nearer to her Heart. And in a

Letter to that Friend, she thus be∣wailed it.

O that you were with us, though but for a few days, that we might bemoan our selves together, and this miserable Nation; upon which God poureth out so great Wrath, and yet such Spiritual Judgments are seized upon us! That many of us who pretend the greatest Interest in Him, can see nothing but Mercies and glorious Times: I find nothing so much moves me, as to hear Men, whom I hope I may call pious, speak concerning the Times; my Patience is so much put to it, as Rules of Wisdom and Policy can find no place with me. I can truly say, I dissent from many, whom I would honour, and whose Judgments I do in many things, prefer before my own, with∣out any kind of Doubt, or Reluctan∣cy,

admiring, and standing amazed at their Delusions. I am now taught the great Danger of Evil Princi∣ples, strong Engagements, Spriritual Pride, &c.

In reference to His present Majesty, her Loyalty proceeded by these steps: She was a true Mourner under his Sufferings, Exclusion, Exile, and the Dis∣appointment of several Efforts that were made for his Restituti∣on. And she so disgusted the then usurping Powers, that she would not joyn in the keeping of either the Fairing or Thanksgiving Days appointed by them in reference to their Designs, or Successes. She rejoyced in all his Deliverances and especially in his Miraculous and Happy Restauration. And I do verily believe there was no

Person in the three Kingdoms, that better understood than she did the Dignity of the High Station, to which God restored Him, or that paid Him a greater Veneration, or prayed more heartily for Him, or was more sollicitous for His Safety, in His Person and Govern∣ment.

She was also conformable to the present Establishment, in all things in which her Obedience was required, and her Practice concern'd; so that in reference to the Church of England, she was truly Ours, and one of the greatest Ornaments of our Commu∣nion.

The Separation (though she re∣spected Piety in all forts of Men) was grievous to her, and she thought it unreasonable: And this was her Judgment from the

beginning, in which she was en∣couraged in her early Years, by the Divines of her Acquaintance, (some of them Nonconformists) who (when those of the (then) Separation, attempted to insinu∣ate their Principles into her) ad∣vised her to neglect them, and to attend the great and substantial things of Religion, as Faith, God∣liness, Justice, and Charity.

But withal, such was her Moderation, that she earnestly desired the Success of the Com∣prehension, designed by the Lord-Keeper Bridgman, Sir Matthew Hale, then Lord Chief Baron, and Dr. Wilkins, &c. And as that worthy Judg, so She, relieved ma∣ny sober Non-conformists with great Bounty, and most eanestly desired to have seen them legally settled in a Publick Ministry.

Many things more might be added to this Account of her At∣tainments, Graces, and Vertues, but all may be summ'd up in this shorter Character.

She had the Knowledg of a Divine, the Faith, Holiness, and Zeal of a Christian, the Wisdom of the Serpent, and the Innocence of the Dove; She had Godliness in the Power of it, and adorn'd it. She was serious, but not melan∣cholly, and chearful without any Tincture of Vanity; very holy, and no less humble, and thankful to God for all His Mer∣cies, and had a mighty Sense of her need of Christ the Mediator, depending entirely upon His Me∣rits and Satisfaction, renouncing all her own Works in the point of Justification.

By these things she attain'd a

good, and (which she never sought) a great Name.

Dr. Sibs, an Eminent Divine, Master of K. Hall Cambridg, and Preacher to the Honourable So∣ciety of Grayes-Inn, who frequen∣ted her House at Langley in Hart∣fordshire, would say, that he went to other places (mostly) to satisfy others, but thither to please himself.

Dr. Edw. Reynolds, late Lord Bishop of Norwich, having been nobly entertained at her House, professed afterward, that the best of his Entertainment was his Converse with so Excellent a Per∣son.

Another (now a Dignitary of the Church of England) returned from a Visit made to her, and said the half was not told him.

Another, a Person of Quali∣ty, and great Learning, who lo∣ved

to speak much in few Words, having observed her Gravity, Ho∣liness, Prudence, and Freedom from all that is little, humourous, or morose, said, she was a Wo∣man of a Generous Piety.

Another saith of her, That she had a Greatness of Mind, rare Knowledg, a becoming Gravi∣ty, and great Sincerity: That she was highly devout, a chear∣ful Giver, patient under the Cross, and endued with all the Vertues and Graces of those excellent Women, whose Praise is in the Scriptures, for Obedience to their Husbands, Religious Care of their Children, Bounty to God's Ministers, Hospitality to their Friends, Charity to the Poor, and Piety towards God. But the La∣tine is more elegant, which came thus from his Ingenious Pen.

Ingenio mascula, Mente Theologa, Ore Gravis, Corde Sancta, Cultu In∣tensfa, Charitate Laeta, Crucis Pati∣ens, tota Moribus Generosa; Marito Sara, Liberis Unice, Nepotibus Lo∣is, Ministris Lydia, Hospitibus Mar∣tha, pauperibus Dorcas, Anna Deo.

Such were her Qualifications, great and eminent, and so were the Providences of God towards her; for she had great Prosperities, and interchangeably great Afflicti∣ons. The first she entertain'd humbly, and the other patient∣ly.

To her Prosperities may be referred, The great Kindness of her Husband, with a numerous Family, and a very plentiful Estate during his Life, and a competent Revenue afterwards in her Wi∣dowhood;

a fine Temperature of Body, so that she was seldom sick, though never strong; the Conti∣nuance of her Parts, and the Vi∣gor of her Intellectuals, and Firm∣ness of her Judgment, even in the last Years of her Life; the Re∣spects and Civilites she received from the Gentry in her Neigh∣bourhood; the Blessing of long Life, the concluding of some un∣kind Law-suits, (which as she did not begin, so she could not prevent) and the seeing every remaining Branch of her Family largely provided for, and in a ve∣ry good Condition, before her Death. And, which was more than all these, as the best of her Pro∣sperities, she enjoyed much in∣ward Peace, which, though it had sometimes Mixtures of Doubts and Fears, was generally firm and

steady, and sometimes advanced into Joys and great Consolati∣on.

Her Afflictions were chiefly Wi∣dowhood, and loss of Children. The sharpest of all her Trials was the untimely Death of her last Son, with the aggravating Cir∣cumstances of it, being drown'd, this was very surprizing, invaded her like an Inundation of Waters, threatning all the Banks both of Reason and Grace: Her Friends feared she would not long sur∣vive it. But the Power and Presence of God supported her, and she not only lived many Years after it, but also recovered again in a great measure her for∣mer Chearfulness.

Her Demeanour under this sad Providence, was Christian. She did not murmur, though at

first astonished, and after that, much deprest by it. Her Dan∣ger was, of fainting under this correcting Hand of God, but she was upheld by him that is able to succour them that are temp∣ted.

She often exprest her self in Words importing that she justified God, and acknowledg'd his Righteousness in it. She feared lest some might be scanda∣lized by it, and reflect upon Religion, and decline it, because of her deep Af∣fliction, and most earnestly desired that God would take care of his own Name, and Glory. But afterwards her Spi∣rit revived, and she was comforted as before, and rejoiced in the God of her Salvation.

The Close of her Life was a long Languishing of divers Months, which gradually confined her,

first to her Chamber, then to her Couch, and lastly to her Bed; at∣tended sometimes with great Pains, under which Patience had its perfect Work. During this Sickness, her Mind was calm, Her Conscience witnessed to her Integrity, and she had a good hope in God, that he would crown his Grace in her with Perseverance, and then with Glory. She was very apprehensive of her need of Christ, adhered to him, rejoyced in him, and desired to be with Him. She expired almost insensibly, and had at the last, an easy Passage to the Happiness, which is the Reward of Faith and Holiness, and the free Gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

She hath left behind her (which are Evidences of an unusual Dili∣gence, and an admirable Industry)

a great number of Writings under her own Hand, some of which are these.

A considerable Body of Divi∣nity, in a large Quarto, shewing what a Christian must believe, and practice, written Anno Dom. 1631.

Collections of Commentaries upon a great part of the Holy Scriptures, and of the Sum of the Controversies between Us and the Papists.

A Book containing Observations, Experiences, and Rules for Practice, which being a most lively Image of her Mind, may supply all the Defects of the Narrative I have given of her, and is subjoyned here, in hope it may be of no little Benefit to all pious Readers.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Im∣propriati∣ons of Blithburgh and Wal∣derswick in Sussex,
• ‖ 1.2

  The two great Chancels of the Churches there.