Her Birth and younger years.

IT was in the year of our Lord 1599. on the 4th of October, that this our Iſland, and particularly the City of Weſtminſter, was honoured by the birth of this Lady truly Noble by all Titles. It was in the houſe of her great Uncle by the half-bloud Sr. Tho­mas Parry Chancellor of the Dutchy, that ſhe firſt began her courſe of mor­tality, which ſhe ſo holily paſt over; and it fell out to be in a room which had been formerly a Chappel dedica­ted to God in honour of the moſt bleſ­ſed Virgin Mary his Mother, and on the Feaſt of the glorious Patriark St. Francis; a proper time and place for the birth of a perſon ſo much addicted to paſſe her time in the houſe of God, and ſo true an Imitatreſſe of the ver­tues of that great Queen of Heaven,2 and that humble Saint. And as this happy creature (whoſe life I am now expoſing to publick view) was far from giving trouble to others throughout the whole courſe of her life, ſo alſo did ſhe give none to my Lady her mother in her very birth, who though ſhe had ſuffered hard la­bours of all the reſt of her children, and of ſome of them dangerous; yet in bringing her into the world, ſeem­ed as it were exempt by particular diſ­penſation from that common curſe layd by God upon the whole ſex: Her deſcent was very Noble on all ſides; her father was Sir Francis Forteſcu of Salden Knight of the Honourable Or­der of the Bath, a Gentleman of a very ancient knightly Family, he being an heir of Sr. John Forteſcu of the Privy Council to Queen Elizabeth and King James, and deſcended lineally through a race of noble Aunceſtors (many of whom had ſerved their Princes in e­minent charges both Military and Ci­vil, and were allyed by their marria­ges3 to ſeveral of the Nobility;) in the 15th generation from Sr. Richard For­teſcu Knight, who came into England with the Norman conqueſt. Her Mo­ther the Lady Grace Forteſcu, as emi­nent for her virtue as her birth, was of the moſt illuſtrious Family of the Mannors, Earls of Rutland and Lord Roos, ſhe being grandchild to Thomas Niece unto Henry, and Aunt to John, all Earls of that place.

To this advantage of bloud God had added that of ſo amiable, and ſweet a diſpoſition, and of ſo ſolid and live­ly wit and judgment, that ſhe was grateful to all perſons, and very capa­ble of any knowledge, which her ſex is wont to poſſeſs: this ſhe made ap­pear, in her perfect and eaſy learning even of thoſe ornamental qualities, which took up the leaſt of her thoughts, and in which (according to the faſhion of other Ladies of conditi­on in thoſe times) ſhe was in her younger years brought up; Though after her being married (out of her4 great modeſty, and almoſt continual application of her ſelf to employments of a higher ſtrain) ſhe never, but in juſt and unavoidable occaſions ſpent a­ny time in things of that nature.

But it is not my buſineſs here to play the Herald, and to blazon her extraction, or to dwell upon thoſe in­feriour tranſitory advantages of fleſh and bloud; my aym is to paint out the ornaments of her minde, and to ſhew how near ſhe was allied by her vertues to thoſe Princes of heaven, the conſtant attendants on the Throne of God. Of thoſe great virtues, which were ſo e­minently practiſed by her in her riper age, ſhe gave many auſpicious prog­noſticks even from her infancy, her love thereof and inclination to all acti­ons of piety growing up in her with her years, and even preventing them. No child could be more exactly duti­ful to her parents, in compliance with whom ſhe applyed her ſelf with that zealous diligence and ſucceſs to the gaining of a perfect knowledge and5 underſtanding of all the myſteries and articles of her faith and duties of a Chriſtian, as alſo of the grounds of all the Ceremonies uſed in the Holy Church, that ſhe was capable in her very childhood of declaring and ex­plaining them to others, and even then gave ſo great a teſtimony of ſo unuſu­al a maturity of judgement both in her comportment, and all her actions, that ſhe was thought fit, and actually had leave of judicious and learned Ghoſtly Fathers to receive the moſt Bleſſed Sacrament of the Altar, before ſhe was yet arrived to ten years of age. And finally, ſhe grew to that degree of Chriſtian perfection even before ſhe could write young woman, that ſhe had an ardent deſire to give over the world, as ſoon in a manner as ſhe was entred into it, and dedicate her ſelf to God by imbracing a religious life for love of him. But her parents nei­ther giving way raſhly to thoſe deſires of hers, nor daring expreſly to oppoſe them, in regard of their great piety,6 cauſed the caſe to be conſulted with Learned Religious men! And upon the caſting up of all circumſtances, wherein her delicacy of conſtitution, and continyency in point of health had a great part, they adviſed her to ſatisfy her ſelf with leading a virtuous life in the way of a ſecular calling: where­upon ſhe knowing that obedience (in ſome caſes) is better then ſacrifice, and weighing this truth in her wiſe heart, that no body (ſince he is a party) is fit to be a Judge in his own ways, applied her ſelf to walk as perfectly as ſhe could in that ſtate, to which her pa­rents, both ſpiritual and temporal, ad­viſed her: And in conſequence to theſe counſels and adviſe, ſhe was be­ſtowed by her friends in Marriage at the age of 16. upon that Noble Perſon John Tallbot then Eſquire, and after­wards Earl of Shrewsbury, Nephew and Heyr to that moſt Saintlike and Learn­ed Lord, George Earl of Shrewsbury, who reſolving to live wholly to God even in the world (as to all mens admirati­on7 he did) diſpoſed his Nephew in Marriage to this Lady, and ſetled his whole Eſtate upon them and theirs. And in that condition ſhe lived moſt happily and holily (as will hereafter appear) above nineteen years.

The manner how ſhe daily and conſtant­ly ſpent her whole time after ſhe was married.

WHen once this Lady was ſetled in the ſtate of Marriage, ſhe did ſo order and frame the courſe of her life; that living here upon earth, her converſation might be truly ſaid to be in heaven: Of this not only all her days, but even hours and mo­ments were convincing teſtimonies. As ſoon as ſhe roſe in the morning, which was Winter and Summer at an early hour, before ſhe thought of her dreſſe (the firſt and chief buſineſs of worldly Ladies) or ſpent any the leaſt time in that or any employment or diſ­courſe whatſoever, whereunto the8 duty of her calling did not preciſely o­blige her, ſhe proſtrated her ſelf on her knees, and in that devout poſture paſſed a full half hower with profound ſilence of the tongue, but with vehe­ment affection of the heart, in offering to God that gratefull Incenſe of de­vout prayer, accompanied with acts of an ardent love of his divine Majeſty, of a moſt ſenſible gratitude for all be­nefits, and an entire reſignation of her ſelf, and all her concerns unto his di­ſpoſal, and likewiſe with a moſt hear­ty and zealous oblation of all her acti­ons, thoughts, and words to his ho­nour and Glory; and for the Petiti­oning part of her devotion, it aimed not at temporal bleſſings, but only at the obtaining of his grace to avoid ſin; and rather then to incur the guilt of any that was mortal, ſhe moſt con­ſtantly and earneſtly ſupplicated him to be deprived of all worldly advanta­ges, and pleaſures whatſoever, and e­ven of what is moſt dear to all man­kinde, life it ſelf; which with all ſin­cerity9 of heart ſhe profeſſed her ſelf much readier to looſe, then his grace and favour, whereof ſin was only ca­pable to diſpoſſeſs her.

After this time of recollection, and a ſhort ſpace ſpent in her dreſs, where­in ſhe never ſtudied in the leaſt degree either pomp or vanity, but kept her ſelf within the compaſs of a modeſt decency, ſhe repaired to her Oratory, only uſed for divine ſervice, and there paſſed the far greateſt part of the re­maining time till dinner (which was uſually about Noon) in prayer and ſuch other exerciſes of piety as ſuited with that place. The Afternoon was no leſs piouſly ſpent then the morn­ing, for rarely did ſhe employ her ſelf leſs then ſix hours during thoſe two ſeaſons in thoſe holy actions in that place juſt before-mentioned, which was dedicated to Gods ſervice. Her going abroad to take the ayre, (which ſometimes ſhe uſed to do, out of her accuſtomed hours of devotion, which were regular and10 conſtant, in order to her own and chil­drens health) never interrupted theſe her pious imployments; for even all that time, as far as a civil compliance with others (which ſhe never viola­ted) would allow of, was totally ſpent in them. Neither was her time of working, wherein ſhe employ'd her ſelf moſt, (except in her devotions) any diſtraction to her continued exer­ciſes of piety, ſince that imployment was uſually ever accompanied with the reading of ſome ſpiritual book in order to her dayly advancement in virtue.

But neither prayer nor any other employment occaſioned her omiſſion of that great duty which lay upon her in looking after the government of the Family which my Lord by reaſon of her great prudence committed wholly to her care. For ſhe frequently viſited all the Offices of the houſe, both to ſee good orders kept, and to enquire what was wanting in any kinde: In her timely ſupplying whereof, as ſhe was11 moſt Conſcientiouſly wary in avoid­ing all waſtful expences, ſo was ſhe truly generous and noble, in not ſuf­fering the meaneſt of the ſervants to want any thing, that was uſually al­lowed to any one who ſerved in a moſt plentiful houſe; And I am ſure I may ſay by experience and knowledge, that this charge of hers was managed with ſo ſingular a conduct, that during her life, my Lords conſtant hoſpitality and plentiful way of houſe-keeping, as al­ſo the number and quality of his at­tendants, correſponded to the full to the greatneſs of his quality; And all this within the compaſſe of his Eſtate and Fortune, and according to the rules of a moſt orderly Chriſtianlike diſcipline. And of this generous hoſ­pitality the poor were conſtantly in great numbers (I may ſay multitudes) moſt ample partakers.

Her time after ſupper before her go­ing to reſt was as religiouſly ſpent as the reſt of the day; For ſhe always was emploied about an hour after her re­tirement12 to her chamber (which was ever at an orderly hour) in the exami­nation of her conſcience, and ſuch de­votions, and other acts of piety as ſhe had uſed at her firſt up-riſing, and ſo cloſed the day in the ſame religious manner as ſhe had begun it; And this time of recollection paſſed ſo ſweetly with her, that ſhe would hardly be brought to believe that it laſted above a quarter of an hour, but when it was performed, ſhe made it her buſineſs, by avoyding all unneceſſary diſtra­cting diſcourſes, to keep her heart fix­ed all night upon him, with whom ſhe had been then ſo devoutly parlying.

And ſhe was ſo indefatigably con­ſtant in theſe her daily devotions, that when ſhe was hindred, (either by journeys, viſiting, or receiving the viſits of Friends, or any other juſt occa­ſion,) from performing them at her ac­cuſtomed orderly ſeaſons, ſhe would rather deny her ſelf time to take that corporal ſuſtenance, and rob thoſe hours from her reſt, which her ten­der13 conſtitution required, then ever willingly be guilty of any leaſt omiſſi­on of any part of them. Even her childbeds and times of greateſt weak­neſs were never any bars or lets to her continual devout employments in ſuch manner as her condition would per­mit. She began the firſt pains of her labour, with a moſt humble and peni­tent confeſſion of her ſins, and as ſoon as poſſible, after her delivery, ſhe cauſed the Hymn of thoſe eminent Saints and Doctors St. Ambroſe and St. Auguſtine called te Deum to be ſaid by her, ſhe an­ſwering alternatively every other verſe; to the end that to Almighty God might be rendred moſt humble thanks for her ſafety, and that his mercy might be implored to take that childe into his particular care from whom ſhe had received that bleſſing, eſteemed one of the greateſt of a Ma­trimonial ſtate. And that ſhe might not be totally debarred from partaking perſonally of all the Churches devoti­ons during her lying in, ſhe cauſed14 the Litany to be ſaid every evening in her chamber, and ſpent much of the day in glorifying God, partly by vo­cal, and partly by jaculatory prayers and aſpirations, and all thoſe holy exerciſes that were conſiſtent with her ſtrength and ability. And though ſhe could not at that time till ſhe were Churched be preſent at the divine ſer­vice (a devotion never omitted by her at other times) nor receive the moſt Bleſſed Sacrament, yet did ſhe not fail daily, even during the time of her be­ing confined to her bed, to ſpend that whole time when that ſervice was ce­lebrated (which ſhe took care to have ſignified to her) in prayer, with the ſame preparation, devotion, and appli­cation of her thoughts to thoſe high Myſteries there commemorated, as if ſhe had been actually preſent at it, and endeavouring to do it at leaſt in a ſpiritual manner by diſpoſing her ſelf thereunto in the ſame way, as if ſhe had been really to receive the effect of her longing, according to her con­ſtant15 cuſtome at all times, when ſhe went not to this holy Communion; whereunto ſhe rarely or never omitted (the months of her childbed only ex­cepted) to have recourſe twice at leaſt, if not thrice every week; And her ſoul did ſo truly relliſh the deliciouſ­neſs of this divine Banquet, that ſhe would even have daily feaſted her ſelf therewith, had not her great humili­ty induced her to comply with thoſe guides of hers in ſpiritual matters, who judged it not fit for thoſe of a ſecular calling, ſince even Religious Perſons of that ſex, and of the other, Prieſts only excepted, are very rarely allowed that priviledge. Neither did ſhe ever approach this Sacrament without an extraordinary devotion, having firſt, according to St. Pauls adviſe, proved her ſelf by a moſt ſtrict examen of her conſcience, and alſo a moſt penitent and humble confeſſion, as the abun­dance of tears, uſually ſhed by her, when ſhe frequented that Sacrament, might ſufficiently teſtify, and which16 often iſſued from her eyes in plenty when ſhe diſcourſed of her own im­perfections; and ſhe did even like and ther David water her bed with tears when her (I may truly ſay) too ten­der conſcience accuſed her of an thing that ſeemed to her to carry th•appearance of a ſin, though it real­ly were not ſuch. And though all th•chiefeſt part of her days were (as hat•been ſufficiently teſtifyed) ſpent i•prayer and other pious and devout em­ployments, yet were thoſe of Com­munion paſſed over altogether (in〈◊〉manner) in ſuch exerciſes; ſhe uſua­ly then (as much as poſſible) totall•retiring and withdrawing her ſe••from all worldly buſineſs and conver­ſation. And her poſture in her pray­ers was for the moſt part ſo much up­on her knees, that at her death, the•were found as hard as any board, o•(like to what was ſaid of St. James th•Apoſtle) to have more reſemblanc•with the skin of a Camel, then wit•that of a Lady tenderly brought up, a•17ſhe was, and had a moſt pure skin and delicate conſtitution.

Her lively Faith and great Charity.

AMongſt her other daily devotions ſhe never omitted to offer particu­lar thanks to God for that great and ſingular benefit of her having been bred up in the Catholick Faith, which ſhe knew to be the foundation of ju­ſtice and ſanctity, and without which ſhe knew it was impoſſible to pleaſe God, and that it was only to be obtain­ed by his gift; And therefore her ſoul was always full of gratitude for that great bleſſing, and ſhe was frequent in giving devout teſtimonies of it. And ſo zealous was ſhe in the profeſſi­of this only true faith, that when ſhe heard of any that ſuffered death, im­priſonment, loſſe of temporals, or any other vexation for that cauſe, ſhe fol­lowing the counſel of St. Peter, would glorifie God in them, and with a pious affection and emulation lament18 her own cauſe, for that ſhe had nev•yet been thought worthy to ſuffer an•thing for confeſſing Chriſt befo••men, who hath ſo graciouſly prom•ſed to confeſs ſuch before his Father〈◊〉heaven.

Neither was this lively faith of he•unaccompanied with a truly ferve•Charity which as it is the Queen〈◊〉all virtues, and ſo neceſſary th•without it no other could be grate•in the ſight of God, and Faith it ſe•were dead, ſo was it the ſtudy of th•Noble Lady to excell therein.

And though her great deſire of d•dicating her ſelf to the ſervice of A•mighty God in the courſe of a relig•ous life, and (that not being thoug•fit for her by her parents and di••ctours) her endeavors to turn a ſe•­lar life into a monaſtical, by her co•­tinual ſpending her time in exerci••of piety, and ſo many hours daily prayer, as hath been already relate•be moſt convincing and undenia•teſtimonies of her moſt ardent love19 his divine Majeſty which is the prime•nd chief branch of this greateſt (if we may believe St. Paul) of the Theo­•ogical virtues; yet for a farther evi­dence how ſtreightly that pure ſoul of•ers was linked to him with that gol­den chain of charity, ſhe never ſtain­ed that white Stole of Innocence, which ſhe received in Baptiſm by the committing of any one mortal ſin, ei­•her in thought, word, or deed,•hroughout the whole courſe of her•ife; and by conſequence never loſt•is grace and favour during all that•ime; And though all thoſe who were•cquainted with her will finde no dif­ficulty to believe this as a moſt real•ruth, (ſo very faint-like were her•ctions and converſation) yet is it ſo credibly atteſted by one who had the•oſt reaſon of any to know the in­ward ſtate of her ſoul, (as having had•he guiding thereof for many years,•nd having during that time been made more then once partaker of all•he paſſages of her life wherein her20 conſcience was concerned) that it can­not be brought in doubt by any rea­ſonable perſon whatſoever. And her averſion was ſo great from offending God, that though a moſt tender-heart­ed mother, ſhe would frequently of fer up her children to his divine Ma­jeſty, humbly and earneſtly ſupplica­ring him rather to take them out of the world, then ever to permit them to ſtain their ſouls with any morta•ſin; ſo much did ſhe prefer his ho­nour before the inclinations of fleſh and bloud, and the fulfilling of hi•holy Law above all the contents and comforts, which worldly people ſ•much dote upon. Nor did her arden•love of God appear only in her avoid­ing of mortal ſin, and her ſollicitud•that others ſhould do the ſame, bu•alſo in her vehement deſire of ren­dring her ſelf eminent in the practiſ•of all manner of virtues, meerly t•pleaſe him; and the vehemency〈◊〉theſe deſires would tranſport her to〈◊〉frequent lamenting of her own neg­ligence21 and tepidity, and expreſſing•er ſenſe thereof to to her ſpiritual•irectour, whoſe aſſiſtance, and ad­•iſe ſhe would crave in order to a to­•al refraining from offending God, e•­•en by any the leaſt imperfection, and•ow at length ſhe might attain to•hat height of virtue that might in­•ble her to be, and continue wholly•is.

For his ſake and for love of him•he honourd all the ſaints becauſe they were his faithful ſervants, and in the•rſt place the Virgin Mary his moſt•leſſed Mother, becauſe ſhe before all•thers was the moſt grateful to him. •he did not honour them as Gods but•s attendants upon his throne, and•ho through the ſpecial aſſiſtance of•is grace have attained the beatifical•iſion for all eternity; for if it be•ot only lawful but laudable, nay e­•en of obligation, and therefore plea­•ing to God, to honour and reverence•any here upon earth, who by their•inful lives may have incurred his22 high diſpleaſure, much more grate­ful muſt it be to him who is wonder­ful in his Saints, to honour the•whom he hath honoured, with ma•king them co heirs with Chriſt, an•who now are ſubject no more t•the fraylties of humane nature, co•tinually glorifying him in that hea­venly Jeruſalem whereinto nothing defiled with the leaſt ſpot can eve•enter. And when ſhe read their live and actions, and ſaw therein how the had forſaken the world, and trample upon the delights thereof, and ded•cated themſelves totally to the ſervi•of his divine Majeſty, ſhe would b•as it were inflamed with a deſire〈◊〉imitating them, and expreſſing he love to God, in as high and perfe••a manner as they did, and wou•grow unſatisfyed with her ſelf for n•having followed the inclinations ſh••had in her tender age of entring in••a religious ſtate, till ſhe was ſecure by thoſe, that guided her conſcienc•that her obedience to her parents i•23the choiſe of her courſe of life was more acceptable to God, (conſidering how maturely and piouſly they had weighed all circumſtances) then a compliance with her own deſires, though they ſeemed to ſway her to that which carried an appearance of greater perfection. To the end there­fore that ſhe might ſerve him with as much perfection, and in the exacteſt manner that was conſiſtent with her calling, and to prevent her love to him from proving cool in the leaſt meaſure, ſhe often and with great favour renewed her good purpoſes, of all her daily pious exerciſes and employments, and eſpecially againſt great and ſolemn Feaſts, when his greateſt mercies and benefits were celebrated by the Church; and ſhe would be then particularly ſollicitous to crave the adviſe of her ſpiritual Directour, what acts of pennance or other devotions ſhe ſhould uſe, where­by to ſolemnize thoſe holy times, in the moſt agreeable manner to his di­vine24 Majeſty, to the end ſhe might gain encreaſe of his grace, whom ſhe with all conſtant gratitude owned to be ſo large-hearted in beſtowing his favours upon all ſuch, as begged them devoutly, and prepared themſelves worthily to receive them.

In fine, ſo great was the love which this moſt pious Lady bore to her Lord and God, that it put her upon making purpoſes of faſts, and other auſtere and laborious acts of virtue, that far ex­ceeded her ſtrength and ability; and ſo little indulgent was ſhe to her ſelf, out of her deſire to perform any thing, though never ſo hard, that ſhe thought tended to his honour, on whom her love was only bent, that ſhe was wil­ling to look upon all thoſe purpoſes as obligations in conſcience, till ſhe was aſſured by thoſe who were her guides in ſpiritual matters, that they were not ſuch; but that ſhe was rather ty­ed from doing any thing that might be prejudicial to her health, wherein the good of many were concerned!

And though the ſame love of God prompted her to obey her ſpiritual Directors for his ſake, who for hers and all of us was obedient to the death of the croſſe, yet had the memory of thoſe ſufferings of his, ſuch an influ­ence upon her heart, that ſhe was de­ſirous to imitate him as much as ſhe might, and carry her croſſe after him according to his divine invitati­on, as far as her weak ſtrength would permit; and therefore would come as near to the obſervation of any peni­tential purpoſes, as ſhe was in any manner permitted; ſo that where faſt­ing was denied as to the matter of the quality of her meat, ſhe endea­voured to ſupply it by moderating the quantity thereof, and the ab­ſtaining from all kinde of delicacies in her diet; and the like ſhe did in all other purpoſes that tended to mortification. But in all others not judged (by reaſon of inconſiſtency with health and ability) unfit, ſhe was moſt zealouſly conſtant in the26 performance of them, and particu­larly in her recourſe unto the holy Sa­craments, at certain times, when any ſpecial favour of God to her ſelf, or this Nation in particular, or the Ca­tholick Church in general, invited her grateful heart to expreſſe a reſentment of his mercies.

Her Charity to her Neighbour.

FRom her moſt ardent love of Al­mighty God, and her conſtant de­ſire of expreſſing it, proceeded her ſo eminent practiſe of that moſt a­greable virtue to him, (I mean) her ſo very exemplar Charity to her neighbours, which mounted to ſo great an height, that ſhe was never ſatiated with imparting all both ſpiri­tuall and temporal comforts, that were poſſibly to be offorded by. And to de­ſcend to thoſe particulars, which may convince this truth, ſhe was never ſeen, or known to refuſe an alms, when it was asked, neither was ever27 the neceſſity of any perſon repreſented to her, to the removal of which ſhe did not contribute with a moſt cheer­ful and bountiful hand; And it was a matter of complaint, and grief to her, whenſoever any of her domeſtical ſer­vants, as ſometimes it hapned, con­cealed the requeſts of any neceſſitous perſons, although relieved by them­ſelves; and ſhe was ſo zealouſly fear­ful of loſing any occaſion of feeding and cloathing Jeſus Chriſt in his little ones, that to prevent it, ſhe always lodged moneys in the hands of her Porter, and others, for relief of the poor, over and above that plentiful alms which was conſtantly given at the gates. And beſides theſe acciden­tal expreſſions of her great charity which were nevertheleſs very fre­quent, and as it were daily, ſhe had diverſe perſons, her conſtant Penti­oners, whom ſhe wholly maintained, and though ſometimes by reaſon of her change of dwelling, they were far ab­ſent from her perſon, yet they were28 never ſo from her thoughts, for ſhe was as ſollicitouſly careful to ſee them provided for in all kindes, as if ſhe had been expreſly obliged to do it under pain of ſin, and ſhe deſcended ſo far as with the labour of her own hands to make many neceſſaries for their cloathing, the which ſhe alſo fre­quently did for many of her poorer ſervants, over and above their compe­rent uſuall allowances: ſhe was ſo ex­act an obſerver of the laws of true Chriſtian charity, that ſhe was never willing to hear thoſe who demanded an alms for Gods ſake ſuſpected for counterfeits, for ſhe was as tender in preſerving their good names, as ſhe was in relieving their neceſſities, and therefore as much as poſſible hindred the ſtrict examination of things o•that nature. And although ſome times ſome were diſcovered and pro­ved to be ſuch, yet upon conſideration that the true motive of Alms was not to whom, but for whoſe ſake it was given; ſhe would not diſmiſs them29 without being made partakers of her charity: for ſhe would urge, that moſt probably their great want was the true cauſe why they diſſembled lameneſs, blindneſs, and ſuch like infirmities, and that therefore to take away ſuch a temptation their neceſſities were to be relieved. And my Lord her husband was very complying with her in this compaſſionate relieving of others ne­ceſſities, and particularly when he was a winner at horſe-races or other Divertiſements, he moſt cheerfully, upon her ſuggeſtion and requeſt (which ſhe never failed to make him) employed no ſmall part of his win­nings upon theſe charitable offices.

Neither was her charity only ex­preſſed in relieving the pecuniary wants of the poor, but alſo in an extra­ordinary diligence to contribute to the cure and eaſe of the ſick; To promote which pious work, ſhe provided her ſelf yearly, at fit ſeaſons, of all thoſe medicinal things, which are uſually applied to the relief of corporal infir­mities;30 and ſhe was no leſs carefu•in providing, then liberal in beſtow­ing them, whenſoever neceſſity re­quired: and ſo great was her chari­table compaſſion of ſick perſons, tha•ſhe not only afforded them bountiful remedies for their diſeaſes, but eve•charged thoſe ſervants about her ow•perſon not to fail of giving them a••neceſſary attendance; and to encou­rage them in ſo good an action by ex­ample, ſhe did frequently viſit th•meaneſt of her own domeſticks, an•others; even when the loathſomneſs•of the diſeaſe, and rooms where the•lodged, were capable to divert thoſ•who were indulgent, in pleaſing thei•ſenſes, from coming near them; a••did both miniſter remedies and othe•aſſiſtances with her own hands, an•ſpend much time in praying by the•bed-ſides, and endeavouring to giv•them all ſpiritual comforts that ſh•was capable of affording them.

Neither was her compaſſionat•ſenſe of the ſufferance of priſoners leſ•31•hen that which ſhe ſhewed to have of the wants and infirmities of others, for ſhe was highly charita­•le in the relief of all thoſe (al­though meer ſtrangers) whom ſhe•eard to endure that great calamity of reſtraint of liberty.

All her promiſes made even in her•oung and tender age that tended to•he relieving of others neceſſities, or•night be conducing to their advan­•ages either ſpiritual, or corporal,•hough not made with that delibe­•ation that might oblige her (under•in) to performance, were as religi­•uſly obſerved as vows, and even ſo•xactly (if not ſcrupulouſly) that•he was hardly ever ſatisfied to have ſufficiently complied with thoſe no­•way-obliging promiſes, without the•udgment, and authority of her•piritual Directour; and ſhe would•requently regret her own too dull•mitation of that famous patriarch32 of Alexandria, John ſirnamed th•Almes-giver for his great liberality in acts of charity.

If then Alms be of ſo great force and virtue, as to cleanſe and purif•the ſoul, which no Chriſtian ca•doubt of that gives credit to hol•Scripture, where it is ſaid, Give Alme•and all things be clean unto you, Luk•11.41. and as water quencheth fire•ſo doth Almes extinguiſh ſin; and〈◊〉the mercifull ſhall finde mercy, Ma•5.7. and he that giveth but one dr••of water for the love of God ſhall n•loſe his reward: Mar. 40.10.4•How pure muſt her ſoul be, who bowels were ſo full of compaſſion•and whoſe hands were ever open〈◊〉the poor; and what accumulated r•­wards ſhall ſhe receive from t••bounty of God, who was ſo mero•­ful, and bountiful to his poor,〈◊〉cheerfully cloathing, feeding, and v•­ſiting them, or rather him in the•33For it may be truly ſaid fo this La­dy, what Job declared of himſelf, that ſhe denied not to the poor what they deſired, nor made the widdows eyes expect, nor did ſhe eat her bread a­•one, but made the poor partakers with•her. This therefore being ſo great a•ruth, and ſo known by all that knew her, there will remain no wonder, if when ſhe was taken out of this world, and tranſlated to a better, there to enjoy the reward of•hoſe great virtues, which the mer­cy of God had plentifully infuſed in­•o her happy ſoul. The poor people•n all places where ſhe had lived, but eſpecially in Worceſterſhire, where•y reaſon of her longer abode, ſhe•ad met with more occaſions of•xerciſing her Charity, did general­•y lament their loſſe with all poſſi­•le expreſſions of ſorrow, as con­•eiving themſelves by her death de­•rived of a moſt indulgent Mother; which part ſhe truly acted to the34 life amongſt all, whoſe neceſſities obliged them to have recourſe to her aſſiſtance.

But her charity was not only ex­erciſed in relieving the corporal di­ſtreſſes of others, but flew an higher pitch, and made it ſelf appear in a moſt ardent zeal of aſſiſting the ſpiri­all wants and remedying the mala­dies of the ſoul: Her ever conſtant, and (as it may be truly called) in­flamed deſire of reclaiming all per­ſons from ſin, whom ſhe knew it con­cerned, and procuring them all thoſe helps from others, which her ſex rendred her incapable to afford them in her own perſon, were undeniable arguments how extraordinary he•zeal was of gaining ſouls to God.

Of this truth many of her acti­ons of this kinde might be particu­larized, were it not too unneceſſari­ly to ſwell this Relation with en­deavouring35 to make that appear, whereof all that knew her were ſuf­ficiently convinced: Howſoever, it it will not be impertinent to touch briefly upon one of theſe her Acts of charity, in regard Almighty God did give ſuch a ſignall evidence, how grateful it was in his divine eyes, by a moſt wonderful, if not mira­culous preſervation of her from a ſtrange and dangerous accident which followed immediately after the per­formance of this good work. For having been to viſit a Noble Gentle­man her near Kinſman, whom ſhe knew to have fayled contrary to his judgment, by humane frailty, and to have led a life too conformable to ſuch a failing, and having (which was the ſole end of her viſit) with earneſt pious admonitions, and fer­vent prayers powred forth to God by his bed-ſide (to which his infirm condition had confin'd him) proved ſucceſsful in her endeavours, and36 wrought ſo good an effect, that he became a moſt perfect penitent, by re­conciling himſelf to God, and ſo made a moſt happy end; having (I ſay) done this moſt charitable work, in her Return to her own Houſe, in a certain ſteep deſcent, near an high unfenced bridge of ſtone, her coach-horſes grew ſo unruly, that one of them kick'd down the coach-man from off his box, and ran violently to the bridge, and running in their full carrier over it, the coach fell ſuddainly into the River; and ſo high was the bridge, that it turned twice round in the falling, and at length lighted directly upon the wheels in the River, and in ſuch a part of it as was ſhallow, though ve­ry near the deepeſt part, which was capable to have overwhelmed it, had it been many yards higher then it was. In the fall the foremoſt horſes broke their tackling, and eſcaped the precipitation, but of the two37 wheel-horſes, both of which, fell with the coach, the one, (and he who did the main miſchief by kick­ing down the coachman) broke his neck and was killed, the other fell with the coach without the leaſt hurt. All thoſe who knew this place, and particularly thoſe who attended her, and were eye-witneſ­ſes of the accident, and ſaw how free from all harm their Lady and her Wayting-Gentlewoman (which was all the company ſhe then had with her in the coach) remained after it, would not call this ſo total a preſervation by any other Name, then that of a Miraculous delive­rance; and certainly it can admit of no other interpretation, but of a malitious attempt of the Devil a­gainſt her, for having got a ſoul out of his power (of which he had been too long poſſeſſed) and a moſt particular tract of the divine Provi­dence, in rendring his malice inef­fectual. 38For God was only in her thoughts when ſhe was falling (as ſhe confeſſed to one who had pow­er to ask her) ſhe being then actu­ally employed in making acts of love to his divine Majeſty to render thanks to whom for his ſo highly merciful a preſervation from this ſo great diſaſter, was the firſt thing ſhe did after her return home, before ſhe ſpoke to any one whomſoever; ſhe repairing immediatly to her Ora­tory to this moſt Chriſtian-like Ex­erciſe, and there reciting with great Devotion that pious Hymn (called Te Deum) compoſed by thoſe great Saints and Doctors of the Church St. Ambroſe, and St. Auguſtine, and uſed by all the faithful in ſolemn Thanksgivings to God for his bleſ­ſings and manifold mercies: theſe her high acts of charity ſo univerſally extended, render it needleſs to re­late how inceſſant the care was that ſhe took in the inſtruction of her39 children in all the myſteries and duties of Chriſtian Religion, which ſhe would perſonally perform her ſelf, as ſoon as they came to thoſe years that rendred them capable thereof. Even as ſoon as they began to make any ſhew of ſpeaking, ſhe was ſollicitous, that before any other word, they might learn to pro­nounce the holy, and divine name of Jeſus, to which all knees bow, whether in Heaven or Earth, or elſe­where, and that their prayers might be the firſt diſcourſes that they might uſe, that ſo they might begin in the firſt place to ſpeak to God, to whom the firſt and chief honour is due; and in their Nurſes arms, when they were at any time brought home, her firſt careſs was, to ſigne them with the ſigne of the Croſs, and immediately to carry them to her Oratory, to offer them to his divine Majeſty and beg bleſſings for them. And as their age encreaſed,40 ſhe did not fail to encourage them, no leſs by word then example, to the exerciſe of all virtues, and par­ticularly to a liberal, and compaſſi­onate relief of the poor, which Chriſt doth ſo expreſly own as done to himſelf. Neither was ſhe wanting to act the part of a Mother in this kinde towards the meaneſt of her ſervants, to whoſe being catechiſed, and taught all Chriſtian duties, ſhe with conſtant zeal contributed even perſonally, when need required, and of whoſe exact performance of all thoſe Obligations to which ei­ther the laws of God or of his ſpouſe the holy Catholick Church, tye her children; ſhe was ſo piouſ­ly ſollicitous, that they wanted nei­ther frequent admonitions to en­courage them to good, nor ſuch re­prehenſions as were requiſite to alter them from all evil. And all things relating to the diſcharge of their domeſtical employments were by her41 moſt Chriſtian-like providence ſo ordered, as that they might not prove any hindrance to their atten­ding to the ſervice of God, or ren­dring him all due honour, by being preſent at divine ſervice, and all o­ther holy exerciſes, at times appoin­ted, by that authority which he hath left here on earth, aſſiſted by his ho­ly ſpirit, to guide and govern the ſpirituall kingdome of humane ſouls.

Seeing therefore it hath been made appear ſo evidently, how high and even ſupererrogatory a charity ſhe ſhewed both in relieving the corporal neceſſities, and alſo in contributing ſo efficatiouſly to the ſpiritual ad­vantages of others, It cannot cer­tainly enter eaſily into the ſuſ­pition of any rational perſon, but that ſhe was equally careful not to do any one the leaſt imaginable In­jury; I am ſure it would be inju­rious to her for any perſon to har­bour42 ſuch a doubt in his breaſt. For how ſenſibly tender her conſcience was in all that concerned the re­putation of others, there are as ma­ny witneſſes as perſons, that knew her, who all with one mouth, avow that ſhe was never heard to ſpeak any the leaſt word, that might tend to the diminution of the credit of any one whatſoever, nor ever to uſe any deriding expreſſion or re­proach even in the reprehenſion of the meaneſt of her ſervants; But on the contrary ſide, her tongue was ever ready (how wary ſoever ſhe was in avoyding much diſcourſe) to defend the reputation, and excuſe the faults of others againſt thoſe ma­ny who are too apt both to miſre­preſent, and miſconſter the actions of their neighbours, and too uncha­ritably to rip up the memory of their failings; And all her reprehenſions even for the greateſt faults were ac­cording to Chriſts counſel, private­ly43 given, for the concealment of their imperfections, and were ſeaſon­ed with ſo much ſweetneſs, that her anger was not only innocent but virtuous; And in compoſing all dif­ferences (which ſometimes happen in ſuch numerous Families as hers) between her ſervants, ſhe was a ve­ry Angel of peace, and was exactly careful, that even thoſe of the beſt quality that attended her, might do right to the very meaneſt without all partiality.