When shée was about twentie yéeres old , ( by the consent of herselfe , and her friends ) she was married to a young Lancashire Gentleman , Master William Brettergh of Bretterghoult néere Liuerpole : one that likewise embraced Religion sincerelie , and for the same indured many grieuances at the hands of Papists .

Two yéeres and more she liued after shée was married , and had issue onelie one Daughter : during which time , Anna Brettergh . this couple liued together in such mutuall ioy and comfort , as well beséemed the children of God , which make profession of his truth . And although this Gentlewoman came from the habitations of Abraham to dwell in Sodome , amidst the tents of Kedar , Psal. 120.5 . that is to say , among inhumane bands of brutish Papists , induring many temporall grieuances from them ; yet her knowledge , patience , mild inclination , and constancie for the truth was such , as that her husband was further builded vp in Religion by her meanes , and his face daily more and more hardened against the diuell , and all 〈◊〉 plaguie agents ; the Popish Recusants , Church-papists , 〈…〉 all Protestants , which swarmed together 〈…〉 parts .

It 〈◊〉 vnknowne to Lancashire , what horses and cattell of her husbands were killed vpon his grounds in the night , most barbarouslie at two seuerall times by Seminarie Priests ( no question ) and Recusants that lurked thereabouts . And what a losse and hindrance it was vnto him , being all the stocke hée had on his grounds to any purpose . This fell out not long after shée was married to him ; yet this was so farre from dismaying her , or working such passions in her , as are common to her sex , that she rather reioyced , then sorrowed ; turning it into matter of praising God , and submitting her selfe to his good prouidence . n = " * " Iohn Wrightinton Esquire . Richard Orme . Raph Heaton , &c. and many moe . Oft she would haue said , It is good that such things be ; but woe be to them that doe them . It is good in God , thereby to chasten his children , and preuent some sinne , which he saw vs like to fall into . It is good in respect of Gods Church , that the weake may be confirmed in the truth , and that Papistrie may bée disgraced , when the world shall sée such wickednesse flow from it . It is good in God , that so the wicked may be without excuse at the day of iudgement , when their conscience shall tell them , that howsoeuer God suffers them to doe such villanie for some iust cause knowne to himselfe ; yet they commit it onely of malice and reuenge . Oftentimes also in these vexations , she would haue said ; the mercies of God are infinite , who doth not onely by his word , but also by his iustice , make vs fit for his kingdome . Little doe our enemies know , what good by these things they doe vnto vs , and what wracke they bring to their owne kingdome , while they set foorth the wickednesse thereof . Many times shee would pray that God would forgiue them , which had done them this hurt , and send them repentance : and she would call vpon her husband , that he would doe the like , Matth. 5.44 . and blesse them that cursed him . And for feare lest her husband should faile in that point through infirmitie and weakenesse , Iohn 1.5 . as it is said of Iob , who offered sacrifice for his sonnes , lest peraduenture they should sinne , and blaspheme God in their hearts : so she neuer failed , but daily prayed vnto the Lord to sanctifie her husbands thoughts , and direct his hearts , right , onelie to seeke Gods glorie , without either desire of reuenge , or satisfying his owne affections . So humble was her spirit , so carefull to auoid and preuent 〈…〉 and others ; and so mild of nature , that 〈…〉 ●●●nesse softened the malicious heart of Esau his brother : Gen. 33.3.4 . 1. Sam. 24. 17.18 . 〈◊〉 Dauid by his kindnesse in the caue , changed the fu●●e of Saul , into wéeping , and confessing that Dauid was more righteous then he : so she by her meekenesse , humilitie , and vnspotted carriage in the world , forced some of the aduersaries to Religion , to speake well of her .

For her life , she was well reported of all that knew her . Pitifull and bountifull was shee to the poore , and slacked no opportunitie to doe good wherein shee could ; but constantly held her course , and kept her times of praying , reading , and meditating , ( wherein she had plentifull gifts ) and continuallie vsed the same at such times as were fitting for her state , sex , and calling . At the exercises of Religion , as prayer and instruction in her familie , she would not be wanting : besides priuate prayer , and meditation which she omitted not but vsed daily , both in her chamber , Genes. 24.63 . as also abroad secretlie and solitarilie in the orchard , garden , or fields , as Isaacks manner was . In reading the Scriptures shée vsed euermore to taske her selfe , eight chapters a day at the least , and for the time which she saw euill or idlie spent , without doing some good , she vsed to call the time of tentation . Many times also she would reade some godly writer , or expositor of Scripture , or in the booke of Martyrs ; and was seene to weepe most bitterly , when either she had read of that which touched her affections neere , or of the cruell martyrdome , which the deare children of God were put vnto , by the cruell and wicked tyrants of former daies .

For Poperie , she saw it so grosse and foolish , Exod. 23.13 . Psalm. 16.4 Ephes. 5.3 . Iudg. 6.31.32 . Eccl. 4.25.28 . that shee would not once name it , except it were to argue against it , but neuer for it : so zealous was she of Gods glorie , and loued the truth so intirely , that she would not once open her mouth to plead for Baal .

Sin aboue all things was batefull vnto her , for there at shée would haue grieued , as well when she had seene it in others , as in her selfe . One or two examples I cannot omit , wherein shée bewraied a worthie spirit , sanctified by the spirit of God , and prepared for all the assaults of Satan . On a time , as her husband and 〈◊〉 were riding toward the Church , he was angry with his 〈…〉 husband ●●●●th she ) I feare your heart is not right toward 〈◊〉 , that can be thus angrie for a trifle : And weeping she said further , you must pray against this your affection , and alwaies be sure your anger be of God , for else how dare you appeare this day before his Minister ? and offer vp your prayers in the publike congregation of the Saints of God ? Another time , a tenant of her husbands , being behind with his rent , shée desired him to beare yet with him a quarter of a yeere , which hee did : and when the man brought his money , with teares shee said to her husband : I feare you doe not well to take it of him , though it bee your right , for I doubt he is not well able to pay it , and then you oppresse the poore . So great a compassion had she of other mens wants , that all things being duly considered , and rightly weighed , me thinks I may say of her , as Paul said of Timothie , I know none like minded .

Thus after she was married , Phil. 2.20 . she continued in the things shee had learned , and held her profession with such sinceritie , that the common enemies to our religion ( the very Papists ) had nothing to say against her , but confessed her life was vnreproueable . And as for the godly that knew her , they alwaies acknowledged that modestie , and vertuous carriage in her , ioyned with knowledge and practise of all the duties of religion , that they had iust cause to report of her , as of a sound and faithfull professor of the Gospell .

Two yéeres , and somewhat more she liued with her husband , till about Whitsontide , it pleased God to send her that sicknes whereof on Whitsonday she died .

Her sicknesse tooke her in the manner of a hot burning Ague , which made her according to the nature of such diseases , now and then to talke somewhat idl● and through the tempters subtiltie , which abused the infirmitie of her body to that end , as hée oftentimes vseth to doe in many , from idle words , to descend into a heauie conflict , with the infirmitie of her owne spirit ; from the which , yet the Lord presently and wonderfully deliuered her , giuing so ioyfull an issue to the tentation , that she might well vse the words of the Prophet , as afterwards she did : For a moment , O Lord , Esa. 54.8 . May 23. thou diddest hide thy face from me , for a little season , but with euerlasting mercie thou haddest compassion on me . On Saturday seuen-night before Whitsunday , what time she sickned , she began to feele some little infirmitie and 〈…〉 then she had wont to shew , but she so ●●●●uer came 〈…〉 Monday night it increased vpon her , May 25. and the assault of the enemie began to be sharpe , and so continued till the next day at afternoone ; what time God deliuered her , and sent her peace and comfort of conscience , and so increased the same in her continually til she died The manner of her affliction was this .

First , M. William Brettergh . M. William Fox M. Edward Aspinwall . M. Iohn Brettergh Mistris Maud Brettergh . Mistris Scholastica Fox . William Woodward . Elizabeth Challoner . the seueritie of Gods iustice , and the greatnes of her sins began to come into her mind , which much afflicted her , and shée would often speake of it . Then she accused her selfe of pride , that shée had delighted too much in her selfe , and her beautie . Afterwards she thought shee had no faith , but was full of hypocrisie , and had not imbraced Religion so earnestlie , nor glorified God so worthilie ( especially with her tongue , which oft shée repeated ) nor loued him so sincerely as shée ought to haue done . Sometime she would cast her Bible from her , and say : It was indeed the booke of life , but she had read the same vnprofitablie , and therefore feared it was become to her the booke of death . Sometimes she would say her sinnes had made her a pray to Satan , a spectacle to the world , a disgrace to religion , and a shame to her husband , kinred , and all true Christians : and here shee would weepe bitterly . Sometime the originall corruption wherein she was borne , troubled her , and the sinnes of her parents , and the common parents of all , the eaters of the forbidden fruit : as if that had made her vnworthie of God , and were then laid to her charge . Many times shee accused her selfe of impatience , be wailing the want of feeling Gods spirit , and making doubt of her election , and such like infirmities . She wished that she had neuer béen borne , or that she had been made any other creature , rather then a woman . She cried out oftentimes , Woe , woe , woe , &c. a weake , a wofull , a wretched , a forsaken woman , and such like pitifull complaints against her selfe , with teares continually trickling from her eies . Shée complained of grieuous thirst , such as all the water in the sea could not quench ( and yet when drinke was giuen her , sometimes refused it , sometimes tooke a very little of it ) sweate burst out vpon her excéedingly , and sometimes her body borned extreamely . So it seemed the sorrowes of death hemmed her in , and the griefes of hell laid hold vpon her . Sometimes 〈◊〉 very 〈…〉 prayer , and once when she should haue said , Deade vs not into tentation , she made a stop , saying , I may not pray ; I may not pray ( being interrupted , as she said , by Satan ) and so shewed much discomfort : howbeit she was not left till she could both pray , ane make confession of her faith with speciall application to her selfe . Besides these fierie darts of Satan , shee was once or twice troubled with vaine speeches , as of her child , the killing of her husbands cattell , that she thought she saw a fire by her , &c. But euery one saw that these things proceeded of weakenesse , emptinesse of her head , and want of sleepe , which her disease would not affoord her .

These fits though they were for the time grieuous to her selfe , and discomfortable to her friends : yet were they neither long nor continual , but in the very middest of them , would she oftentimes giue testimonie of her faith , striuing and fighting against her tentations . Many times when the standers by iudged her afflictions at the sharpest , would she call vpon God , lifting vp her eies and hands to heauen , and desire him to giue her strength against her tentations . Many times with a chearefull countenance she would defire those that were by not to faint , nor giue her ouer , but constantly to pray , and helpe her against the tempter . Once in the middest of her tentation , being demanded by Master William Foxe : William Fox . whether she did beleeue the promises of God or no ? and whether she could pray ? she answered : O that I could , I would willingly , Marke 9.24 . but he will not let me . Lord I beleeue , helpe my vnbeliefe : which she pronounced with a still low voice . And when he replied , that if she had a desire to pray and beleeue , shée did pray and beleeue , and that so effectuallie , that hell gates should not ouercome her , according to that of the Apostle , God accepteth it according to that a man hath , 2. Cor. 8.12 . not according to that a man hath not : she was much comforted thereby .

Once after a great conflict with Satan , she said : Satan reaso not with me , William Brettergh . I am but a weake woman , if thou haue any thing to say , say it to my Christ ; he is my aduocate , my strength , and my redeemer , and he shall pleade for me . Sometimes when she was afflicted with the accusation of her sins , and want of féeling Gods mercy , shee would with many a pitifull sob and much wéeping , pray to the Lord Iesus Christ to help and comfort her , Iohn Brettergh . a poore wofull , distressed woman , Edward Aspinwall . and request others to pray for h●● . And when she was moued to make confession of her faith , she would do it oftentimes , saying the Apostles Creed , and concluding the same with words of application to her selfe : I beléeue the remission of [ my ] sins , the resurrection of [ my ] body , and eternall life [ to me ] Amen . And hauing done , she would pray God to confirme her in that faith , euer concluding with the Lords Prayer , as deuoutly and reuerontly as any that were present . A Christian friend , who by his daily attendance on her , discharged the duty of a faithfull Christian , William Woodward . standing by told her , that no tentation had befallen her , but that which appertained to the child of God , and that God is faithfull and true , and had promised to giue an issue with the tentation : whereat she expressed great comfort .

Master Edward Aspinwal , a faithful professor of the truth , and a true Israelite , was much with her in the time of her sicknes , and ministred much heauenly instruction vnto her , and comforted her at all times with apt places of Scripture , méeting with her tentations : and so put the sword of the spirit into her hand . He propounded to her the most plentifull comforts of God vnto his Church , in the 40.41.42 . and 43. Chapters of Isaiah , vttered in such spéeches and phrases , Esa. 40.1.2.28.29.30.31 . as might most fitlie answere her discomforts . Also he directed her to consider the Passion and Práyer of our Sauiour Christ , for all his , Esa. 41.8.9.10.13.14.17.18 . Isa. 42.1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.13.14 . 15.16 . Esa. 43.1.2.5.25 . Matth. 11.28 . Iohn 17. Matth. 26. Luk. 22.23 . But specially did he often inculcate that swéete inuitation of our Sauiour : Come vnto me all you that trauell and be heauie laden , I will ease you . But the difficultie she had sometimes to apply these generals vnto her own soule in particular , made the case more ful of anguish to her self , and feareful and lamentable to the standers by : Albeit she acknowledged Gods Maiesty , mercy , faithfulnesse , and truth ; yet still complained she of her owne weaknes , and vnworthines , and could hardly appropriate each thing to her selfe .

To help her some what herein ( for properly otherwise , it is the peculiar work of the holy spirit of God , to perswade the hart and soule of her particular interest in these general promises ) she was told that the Almighty who was mercifull , as she had proued , and faithfull as she confessed ; intended all these mercies to as many as he did call and make promise to . And that hee called her she must néeds confesse , both because that then she not only her selfe read , but heard others reade those blessed words of God vnto her : and also for that in former times , she had bin touched with the loue of God , and that his truth : and had well profited in the detestation of sinne , and imitation of her Sauiour in a holy life . And for the proofe thereof ; she was wished to remember in former times her Baptisine , her frequenting of Sermons , & often receiuing the most comfortable repast of the holy Communion , her daily , and almost continual exercise of reading , meditating , and praying , &c. Also he assured her , that neither the present agony she was in , nor the spéeches then in that distresse , tending to the signification of despaire , extorted from her , were any iust causes , why either she , or any that heard her , should iudge fearefullie of her , because all might see the fault was not in her will , as appeares by her prayers , confessions , plaints , sighs , teares , and grones to God for mercy , and full assurance in the blood of Christ ; but in her iudgement , not able at that time to discerne the waies of the Almightie : And therein ( he told her ) she was made conformable , not only to many the holy Saints of God , Iob , Ieremy , Dauid , Iob 3.1 . &c. Ier. 20.14 . Iob 6.4.8.9 . Iob 16.9 . Lament. 3. &c. & others more , but also to her head , our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus : of whom we reade , that some haue cursed the day of their birth , and called for their end , and darkenes to couer them : They haue been as men without hope , and swallowed vp in despaire : They haue cried how the wrath of God hath torne them , Psal. 6.3 . and the terrors of the Almighty haue fought against them : They haue had no peace in their soules , nor comfort in their consciences , their prayers haue bin shut from God , their sinnes haue been terrible vnto them , crying that their iniquities had gone ouer their heads , Psal 38.4 . &c. Psalm 71.7 . Psalm. 77.1.7 . &c. Psalm . 51.5 . Psalm. 102.3 . &c. Rom. 7.24 . and were a burthen too heauie for them to beare : And they haue thought themselues spectacles of shame and reproch , and as monsters vnto men : They were grieued for the sinnes of their parents , and complained that they were desolate , forsaken , and most miserable and wretched in the world ; yet for all this were they still the deare children of God , as you are this day . ( Nay ( saith hée ) I pray you consider , what torments God inflicted vpon his deare Son vpon the Crosse : did he not crie out , Matth. 27 ▪ 46. Matth. 26.38 . Heb. 5.7 . May 26. My God , my God , why hast thou forsaken me ? He complained , that his soule was heauie vnto death ; yet was hee heard in that which he feared , and God deliuered him . After this , he read vnto her the 22. Psalme , wherein Dauid complained , partly of his owne , but principally of the most bitter anguish which our Sauiour Christ endured , and suffered in body and soule , putting her in mind , that her case was not so bad as Dauids , nor much vnlike our Sauiours , who endured all that , and more for her ; and therefore she had no cause to feare , séeing Christ had obtained victorie , and would vndoubtedly bee with her , deliuer her , and eternally glorifie her with himselfe for euermore ; and so continually hee propounded to her such comfortable places of Scripture , as might meet with her infirmities . This greatly refreshed her , and gaue her occasion many times to call vpon God , for encrease of grace , and deliuerance from her grieuous tentations : the which God of his accustomed goodnes vouchsafed , on Tuesday , about thrée a clocke in the afternoone , what time shée felt her selfe in very good measure deliuered from all her former feares and afflictions . But on Saturday next after , which was the day before her death , she was wholly released , and filled with such inward comfort , that it greatly affected vs that saw it .

This is the summe of that tentation which shee had , wherein what can any man sée that might giue iust occasion to report our religion comfortles , or the Gentle woman died despairing ? This we are sure of , that to be without tentation is the greatest tentation : as also , that nothing befell her , which hath not befallen the holiest of the children of God . And she that considered her owne corruption ( which how great it is in the best of Gods Saints , I need not say ) and be thought her selfe of the punishment due therto , if God in iustice should reward her , no maruel if she brake out sometime into heauy complaints . I make no question it was the worke of God in her , to suffer Satan to accuse her , and afflict her for her sinnes , that so shée might the better see them , and consider the hainousnes of them , and before her departure repent her of them , and betake her wholly to Christ for the sauing of her soule . And if it pleased God thus to make her possesse her sins before she died , let those which neuer yet knew the waight of their sinnes , be wise in time , and remember , that he shall neuer haue his sinne forgiuen , which first or last doth not vndergoe a holy despaire for it , and acknowledge nothing to remaine in himselfe , but matter of iudgement and condemnation : and comfort and eternall life to flow alone from Iesus Christ .

And as for those which haue learned to scoffe at the terrors of Gods children , and to censure such , as are at sometimes cast downe with feeling the anger of God against sinne , let them consider the blessed issue that God gaue to the troubles of this Gentle woman , and let them acknowledge his worke in her . And if they will not doe this , but proceed to traduce the dead , Fox . Acts and Mon. pag. 1904.61 . pag. 1908. then let them call to mind , those of the Popish crue , and persons of greater note among them , then this Gentlewoman was , which haue died most fearefully indeed . Cardinall Sadelot , Iacobus Latomus the Diuinitie Reader at Louaine , Hofmester the Frier , Guarlacus , Bomelius , Crescentius the Cardinall , Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester , and diuers the bloodie persecutors in Queene Maries time , and some of the Popes themselues , as namely , n = " * " Francis the Monke , one of the ten popish persons conuerted in France , Anno Dom. 1601. See Hasen Mill. historia Iesuirica , who sets downe certaine examples of the Iesuites to this purpose . Pope Sixtus Quintus of late yeeres : all which died most fearefullie and miserablie , and shewed manifest signes at their death , that their popish superstition was the condenmation of their soules . And if they will iudge of my religion by my death , let them acknowledge their religion is the doctrine of desperation , and that the truth and faith which was able to fill the heart and tongue of this blessed Gentle woman at her death , with such heauenly comforts , is the doctrine of Christ , reuealed from heauen that wee might liue and die in it .

From Tuesday , Pl till Whitian-eeuen , her comfort still incereased , and tentations vanished away . She would then very chearefully ioyne with the company in prayer , and singing Psalmes , as occasion offered , Iohn Bruen Esquire . William Brettergh . William Fox . Iohn Brettergh . William Woodward . Iohn Holland . Maud Brettergh . Scholastica Fox . 1. Pet. 4.17.18 . Iohn Holland . William Brettergh . William Woodward . and performed all such duties as were méet for her in that estate . One day , her brother M. Iohn Bruen of Bruenstapleford came from his house in Cheshire to visit her , and 〈…〉 some kind salutation passed betwéene them , he said vnto her : Sister , be not dismaied at your troubles , but remember what the Apostle saith , that iudgement must begin at the house of God . To whom she answered , as one that was also very ready in the Scriptures , with the very next words following : True it is , and if it begin at vs , and the righteous shall scarce be saued , where shal the sinners and vngodly appeare ? After that she prayed with him , and sung a Psalme with him , as one that receiued great comfort by him , and acknowledged in him , a hart set to séek the things belonging to the kingdam of Christ . During this time , in the night with such as waked with her , she would pray and rehearse for her comfort many texts of Scripture , and namely the 8. to the Romanes , many times concluding and closing vp that shée read , or repeated , with prayer , and most comfortable vses and applications thereof to her selfe , with shew of such ioy and comfort , that the hearers reioyced at it . When n = " * " Richar Orme , Iohn Holland , William Brettergh , William Woodward . William Fox . Reuel. 21.6 . William Brettergh . William Fox . Psal. 119.71.72 . William Brettergh . shée receiued any meat , shee prayed God not onely to sanctifie those creatures for her bodilie sustenance , but also to fill her soule with the waters of life , often repeating that of the Reuelation : To him that thirsteth , will I giue of the waters of life freelie .

One time she tooke her Bible in her hand , and ioyfully kissing it , and looking vp toward heauen , she said that of the Psalme : O Lord , it is good for me that I haue bin afflicted , that I may learne thy statutes : The law of thy mouth is better to me then thousands of gold and siluer .

Another time she called her husband to her and said : O husband , beware of Papistrie , keepe your selfe holy before the Lord : Yeeld not to the abominations of the wicked , lest they reioyce , and so you dishonour God , and destroy your owne soule . Againe she said , Let my little child be brought vp among the children of God , Maud Brettergh . and in the true feare and knowledge of his Maiestie ; so shall I meet her in heauen , whom now I must leaue behind me on earth .

Again , William Brettergh . Rom. 8.15 . William Fox . sometime shée would pray with a low voice to her selfe , and that saying of Paul , We haue not receiued the spirit of bondage to feare any more , but the spirit of adoption , whereby we crie , Abba father , was much in her mouth : and the last words Abba father , she would double oftentimes ouer . She would sing to her selfe the last verse of the 13. Psalme .

Finally , in these and such like exercises and meditations , did shée spend the whole time of her sickenes , after the Lord had once enlarged her heart , from the tentations of Satan .

But vpon Saturday about eleuen of the clocke in the morning , May 30. the Lord disclosed himselfe in mercy to her more plentifully then euer before ; and as I may say , he dealt famlliarly with his handmaid : for from that time to her very death , which ensued the next day , the féeling of Satans tentations séemed quite to be banished from her ; so that she made no shew of them , her thoughts were not occupied with the world , husband , child , or any thing else to our thinking ; neither was her sickenes trouble some to her , as before it had been : but as one raised from death to life , or rauished in spirit , so séemed shée to vs that stood by : her countenance ioyfull , her tongue flowing with the praises of God , and her voice as most heauenly musicke , and melodie of peace , sounding praise , and honour , and glorie to God in a wonderfull manuer , as followeth .

About eleuen of the clocke shée began to tremble and quake a little , William Brettergh . Maud Brettergh . Elizabeth Challoner . and withall shée asked her husband it hée would helpe her with prayer to God against the tempter , saying , Will ye neither pray with mée , nor bring some godlie man that may put holy things into my mind , whereby I may bée able to resist Satan ? Hauing thus said , shee vttered these words : O Lord God of my saluation , helpe my weaknesse , pleade thou my cause , O God of truth , for in thee do I trust . After this , they prayed together , and she answered Amen to euery petition . Then after this she required him to reade some part of the Scripture : whereupon hee read vnto her the 8. to the Romanes , the 91. Psalme , and the 17. of Iohn , the which as he read , and came to the 4. verse , I haue finished the worke which thou gauest me to do , and now glorifie me : she desired him to pause a while , & then said , Blessed be thy name , O blessed Sauiour , perfect the worke , I humblie beseech thee , which thou hast begun in me . Then as he read the 9. verse , I pray not for the world , but for them which thou hast giuen me , for they are thine : she interrupted him againe saying , O Lord Iesu , doest thou pray for me ? O blessed and sweet Sauiour , how wonderfull ! how wonderfull ! how wonderfull are thy mercies ! Read on , said she , the blessedst reading that euer I heard , the comfort whereof doth sweeten my soule . Then reading verse the 22. And the glorie which thou gauest mee , I haue giuen them , that they may bee one as we are one : with maruellous ioy she vttered the words of Dauid many times ouer , Psal. 107.8.9 . I confesse before the Lord his louing kindnes , and his wonderful works before the sonnes of men : for he hath satisfied my soule , and filled my hungry soule with goodnes . When he came to the 24. verse , Father , I will that they which thou hast giuen me , be with me , euen where I am , that they may behold my glorie , which thou hast giuen me ; Stay , said she , and let me meditate on the goodnes of the Lord , for this is the swéetest saying that euer came to my soule : for now I perceiue and feele the countenance of Christ my redeemer is turned towards me , and the bright shining beames of his mercie is spread ouer me : Oh happie am I that euer I was borne , to see this blessed day ! Praise , praise , O praise the Lord for his mercies ; for hee hath brought me out of darkenes , Esa. 27.1 . Psalm. 103.1.2.3.4 . and the shadow of death : hee hath deliuered my soule from the snare of the hunter , and hath taken me out of the den of Lions , euen from the iawes of Leuiathan , that piercing and crooked serpent , and hath set me in a place of rest , and sweete refreshing : Oh praise the Lord O my soule , all that is within me praise his holy name : my soule praise thou the Lord , and forget not all his benefits , which forgiueth all thine iniquities , and healeth all thine infirmities : which hath redeemed thy life from the graue , and crowneth thee with mercie and compassion . This she often repeated : And then againe remembring the 21. and 22. verses of the 17. of Iohn , shee said : O my sweete Sauiour , shall I be one with thee , as thou art one with thy Father ? And wilt thou glorifie mee with that glorie which thou haddest with the father before the world was ? And dost thou so loue mee ( which am but dust and ashes ) to make me partaker of glorie with Christ ? What am I poore wretch , that thou art so mindfull of me ? Psal. 144.3 . Psal. 8.4 . Oh how wonderfull ! how wonderfull ! how wonderfull is thy loue ! Oh thy loue is vnspeakeable , that hast dealt so gratiouslie with me ! Oh I feele thy mercies , and oh that my tongue and heart were able to sound forth thy praises as I ought , and as I willingly would doe ! Oh that you all would helpe me to praise the holie one of Israel , the God of all consolations ! And thus for the space of fiue houres together at the least , shée continued praising and lauding the Lord , with such a gladsome and heauenly countenance , testifying such inward ioy , from a comfortable feeling of the mercies of God in her soule , and vsing such swéete sentences , and sugred phrases of perfect and holy eloquence , as the truth thereof , if it could haue been taken , were admirable , continuing so many houres together ; some part whereof was this :

Oh my Lord , oh my God , blessed bee thy name for euermore , which hast shewed me the path of life . Esa. 54.8 . Thou didst O Lord hide thy face from me for a little season , but with euerlasting mercie , thou hast had compassion on me : And now blessed Lord thy comfortable presence is come , yea Lord , thou hast had respect vnto thy handmaid , and art come with fulnes of ioy , and abundance of consolations : O blessed be thy name O Lord my God . Then shée repeated part of the 16. Psalme , saying : The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance , wherefore my heart is glad , Psal. 16.59.11 . and my tongue reioyceth : Thou wilt shew me the path of life : In thy presence is fulnes of ioy ; and at thy right hand there are pleasures for euermore : Oh that I could therefore praise the Lord , as hee is worthie to be praised ? I will sing to the Lord , I will sing to the praise of the God of Israel : come , come , ( saith she ) and helpe me , Iudges 5.3 . O helpe me to praise the Lord . And with that she began to sing the third Psalme , and continued to the end of the Psalme , as perfectly , and with as sweete a voice , as euer she had before in her health ; and concluded with the 49. verse of the 106. Psalme :