Poetus having notice that her Husband was Condemned to dye yet liberty given him to choose his death she went to him and exhorted him to Breath his last with Constancy and Courage and after having taken a dear farewell she stab'd her self with a Knife she had hid under her Garments and drawing it out only said e're she fell dead at his Feet The wound I have made Paetus smarts not but that only which thou art about to give thy self Camer Oper. Subsic Upon this Extravegant effect of passionate love Martial made this Epigram When Arria to her Husband gave the Knife Which made the wound whereby she lost her life This wound dear Poetus grieves me not said she But that which thou must give thy self grieves me In the Reign of Vespasian the Gaules Rebell'd under the leading of Julius Sabinus But being reduced their Captain was sought for but having hid himself in the Monument of his Grand-Father to which none but two of his freed men were privy it was given out that he had poisoned himself and the better to colour it he caused his House to be set on fire that his Body might be supposed therein to be burnt his Wife Eponiva not knowing the contrary made great Sorrow incessantly Weeping and refusing either Food or to be Comforted of which those that were private to his hiding told their Lord desiring him to take pitty on their Lady who was determined to die and in order thereto had abstained from all manner of Food for the space of three days by undeceiving her to save the Woman that lov'd him so well which was granted and she brought to the place where finding him alive she flew into his Arm◠with all the eager Joys of a tender Wife and in that dolesome place lived with him nine years bringing forth Children But in the end the place of their Aboad was discover'd and they brought to Rome where this Virtious Lady shewing her Children to Vespasian Behold O Coesar saith she such as I have brought forth and Nourished in a Monument that thou mightest have more supplyants for◠our lives But that Emperour banishing Compassion commanded them both to be slain The Lady joyfully dying with her Husband with whom she had been as it were Buryed so many years Lips Monit Clara Cervenda was one of the most Beautiful Virgins in all Bruges she Married one Bernard Valdaura a Man Aged and wonderfully Infirm by reason of the foul Disease he had contracted in his Youth and in the end growing so Ulcerous and so Naucious that the Chyrurgion fled the Scent of him yet this Tender Lady for the space of Twenty years continually watch'd and tended him not imagining any thing too dear for him and when their Money by that large Expence fail'd she sold her Jewels and wearing Apparel Disrobing and in a manner starving her self to support him So sacred to this virtuous Lady was the name of Husband and even of such a one as had brought her to Ruine and Misery nay when he was rotted away that his shatter'd Body could no longer retain his fleeting Soul she made great Lamentation and when some instead of comforting of her told her that God had done much in taking him away and for that reason they came to congratulate her She turned aside and would not hear them but with a mournful Voice wished for her Husband again and that she would give any thing in the world could she Retrieve him Being sought by many in Marriage her Answer was That she could 〈◊〉 meet with any whom she could love or like so well as her deceased Husband Camerar Oper Subsic So truly loving was this constant Dame That she deserves a place i' th Book of Fame Nor is Woman-kind only found such an admirable pattern to Man 〈◊〉 but the Sex has prov'd as faithful Woman to Woman as appears by the following Relation Bona a noble Virgin living in a Nunery contracted so great a Friendship with a Beautiful Maid not exceeding her in years that they appear'd to those that observed their actions to have but one Soul their affections were so united and met so exactly in every thing But so it happened to the unspeakable grief of Bona that Death in process of time with his Icey hand seiz'd upon her dear Companion the partner of her thoughts and only sharer of her best affections sealing her Eyes in Gloomy Night which caused a flood of pious grief to flow from the surviving Lady In the excess of which she earnestly beg'd she might not stay behind but that their Bodies might possess one Grave Although this was a rash wish yet it was answered For she e're the other was Buried dyed Insomuch that one Funeral Solemnity serv'd them both Marul Lib. 3. C. 3. Thus Love and Chastity together dy'd Ravish'd by Death they in one Grave abide How great likewise hath the love of Mothers been towards their Children which for Brevities say I shall instance but in two Examples Monica the Mother of Agustine whilst her Son in his Youth followed lewd Courses ceas'd not to Pray day and night for his Conversion and doubtless her Prayers were heard which may be gathered by the strangeness of his being made sensible of the dangerous condition he was in which occasioned St. Ambrose to comfort her in this wise It 's impossible says he that a Son of so many Prayers and Tears can miscarry Clarks Mir. For love to Souls all other love excells It must be Heaven where such an Angel dwells The Women of Carthage in the third Punick War when they understood the Senate had agree'd to send the noble Youths of that City into Sicily as a Hostage in consideration of a peace with the Romans so outragious was the sorrow of those Mothers whose Sons were so to be snatc'd from them that nothing was heard but Cryes Sighs and sad Laments and when they were going to Embarque they followed them in the like manner huging them in their strict Embraces with Countenances full of Care and Sadness to hinder their going as loath to take their sad farewell but finding they were snatch'd from them by the Officers who were to see them safe delivered and thrust on Bord as soon as the Ships put off many of those woeful Mothers leap'd into the Sea after them and were overwhelm'd by the Relentless Waves Sebel l. 3. c. 4. This sad Disaster occasioned the following Lines When as the two Renown'd Republiques Jar'd When Mighty Rome and Carthage long had War'd To try by dint of Sword which Fate design'd Mistress ot'h World and Ruler of Mankind Tir'd with the tedious bloodshed that Imbrew'd Europe and Affrica a Peace insu'd But Carthage often breaking 't was thought fit They should with speed their noble Touths commit For more security to Roman bands As Hostages but when to Foraign Lands The Woful Mothers knew their Sons must go What Scenes of sorrow did great Carthage show Nothing but Crys but Sighs and Groans were heard
might easily contain that which more than a hundred times exceeds in Magnitude the sedentary Globe Those glittering flames of Night that move iâ— Mistick dances and keep their ordeâ— o're the drowsie World who that is Ignorant of Moral and Divine Phylophy would not take them for Shining sparks or studds inchac'd in the blew Firmament as seeds of Light when if they are not Worlds or Mansions of Coelestial Spirits yet are they mostly larger by many degrees than this which we Inhabit Thus in case of Womens virtues Antient as the World and Universal as Mankind the Ignorant Indulge themselves in sloath and luck-less error whilst those whom Heaven intrusts with larger Tallents either hide them in a Napkin or suffer Envy or Ingratitude to find a lodgment in their Souls either to detract from that Essential good which God has plac'd in the fairest Creatures or shut their Eyes through wilful stubbornness because thy will not see and by such means be made to confess their stoick dulness or severity Great indeed is the Soul of Man and comprehends more than the Universe it 's glorious Center being far above all hight yet oft like Birds that fly too â—ear the Waves the Damps of Morossness slag it's Wings and hinder it from soaring to those Altitudes where it may pry into abstrusest things from Vulgar sight remov'd and many times as inconsistent as the day with night from what is fondly feign'd or imagin'd by those Protoyps of Wit who would at least seem Wise and yet many times they fall as short of what they think with Elevation they have scan'd and look'd for fond Aplause for a conceited Merrit as those who through a Telescope suffer their Eyes to delude their better reason by fancying large Countreys and Provinces Cities Rivers Lakes People Beasts and flying Fowl in the Moons spotty Globe for should we grant it was a World and did contain all these yet mortal sight help'd by the greatest Art or Invention brought to light in the height of it's Improvement cannot Penitrate so vast a space to make distinguishment of things Imaginations all thaâ— too oft delude us like the wandring Fire that dances or seems to dance before the belated Traveller whom fear and darkness dispossess of that reason which should make him keep his way obligeing him by fixing his dazl'd Eys on the Maetorious blaze or unctious vapour kindl'd by vehement Agitation and kept from expanding by inviorning cold to wander after a deluding guide which by his moveiâ—g gains a motion through the yeilding Air or like to those that fancy by the Moons pale light to see a Troop of Faires danceing to an Airey Melody and Jocond on their Mirth Intent whil't fear and Joy at once distracts his Reason and in the heighth of a confus'd disorder wild Imagination makes him think he sees a walking Vision when Indeed delusion represents that which really is not So oft has Error found a place even where deep Wisdom dwells as well as in the Mansion of simplicity and why then may not those who have at least pretended to the Study of Female Worth and yet rendr'd so slender an account of it be mistaken in what 's truly valuable in that kind by overshooting the Mark or in not stating it aright as those who cannot reach it as well render it not only uninteligible by over doing and not rendering it Perspicuous in its native Sphere as by debasing and Endevouring to lessen it by meanness and an ungrateful Contempt Rome who worship 's the Image of Jupiter Crown'd with Rays and Stars deck'd with Gold and Glittering Gems Expressed no more a Superstitious Idolatry than Fanatique Aegypt a mean and covetous one by Worshiping Gods in the likness of brute Beasts but to wave this dark discourse I shall proceed to give my Sence in a Method suitable to the Subject Reasons and Arguments for the Capacities of the Soul of Women c. In Relation to Learning Arts and Sciences c. THough Men may boast of their Wonderful Abilities yet certain it is the Fair Sex way boast the like especially a Capacity of performing as much seeing the Soul proceeds from one and the same Fountain of Life and if we consider the Bodâ— what can we find in it that may hinder in ought being generally more lively and active than that of Man as being made of a softer Contexture Nature has not been wanting to frame the Cabinet of the Soul to the best advantage and has therein manifested her self an excellent Mistress for a Creature fairer in Proportions and more Regular in every part she never made against this some will object that according to the Organs of the Body as they are more or less capable of receiving the Influence of the Soul which Enlivens and supports the Body is the party or else say they why may not a Child have as large an understanding as a Man the Soul not being an Infant but constrain'd to so narrow compass it cannot opperate and this say they appears likewise in an Idiot or a Lunatick by reason the Organs are Imperfect or obstructed or confounded by distempers and consequently the better part though a Spirit is hinder'd in it's Motion and Office and therefore give it as their Opinion that Women being of a colder and more watry Constitution then Men have not Organs capable of giveing the Soul scope in it's operation as the Bodyes of Men have seeing they contain greater heat which causes strength and larâ—ness of Body more Vigour and Acttivity more Acuteness and Solid Judgment though had they a Womans Wit which upon a suddain conception or swift turn is many times found available and sometimes presserable to that of Man yet it holds not throughout the Sex nor is it at the best capable of serious matters or to unlock the Arcanes of profound Sciences and dive into Mysterious things Occult and hid from the Vulgar ways of the World and require a sound Judgment capable of discovering and weighing each particular Should I grant that the Souls of Children Idiots and Lunaticks are under a restraint and have not the pow'r to Act as in other Cases as indeed it is true Yet we see the same happens as well to the one Sex as to the other therefore that can be no Objection but only to shew the Independency Obstruction of those Effects but where it is otherwise the case is different for it plainly apears there are different Constitutions in either all are not the same in the one nor in the other for some men are Phlegmatick some Sanguine some Cholorick and others Melancholy and yet of all Constitutions there have been some Famous for I earning others in Arts and Sciences some in Arms and rare Inventions and generally the Phlegmatick are given to the Study of the Profoundest Sciences What hinders then that Women who participate of all these complections undoubtedly have Souls of the same Existence with those of Men that they may not
My reward is above Crescit sub pondere virtus Behold Bright Virtues Glorious Emblem plac't Beneath a Crown with beaming Stars Enchas't Virtue like Palms dos under pressure rise And Phoenix like true Virtue never dies London printed for Iohn Harris at the Harrow in the poultrey I. 〈◊〉 The Illustrious HISTORY OF WOMEN OR A COMPENDIUM of the many Virtues that Adorn the Fair Sex Represented not only in Lively and Pathetical Discourses grounded upon Reason but in Sundry rare Examples of Virtuous Love Piety Prudence Modesty Chastity Patience Humility Temperance Conduct Constancy and Firmness of Mind with what else in the like Nature is necessary for the Accomplishment of the most Celebrated Beauties With other Examples of Women Skill'd in the most Curious Arts and Sciences To which are Added the Examples of Warlike Women their Noble Exploits and Victories With the Prophesies and Predictions of the Sybils in relation to the Incarnation continuance upon Earth Death Resurrection and Ascention of our Blessed Saviour And as an Apendix the Character of a Virtuous Woman in all her Capacities The whole Work enrich'd and intermix'd with Curious Poetry and Delicate Fancie sutable to so Charming a Subject LONDON Printed for John Harris at the Harrow against the Church in the Poultrey 1686. Price bound One Shilling This may be Printed November 21 1685. R. L. S. The PREFACE TO THE READER TO some it may seem strange that in so small a Bark I have adventured into an Ocean rarely Navigated made an Essay on what has been seldome undertaken and never Exposed in it's proper Lusture The Virtues and Excellencies of the softer Sex a Subject worthy a more resined Pen but since the Niâ—slings of Appollo the Wits of the Age have for the most part not only declined it but rather studied to Eclips the brightest Candor of Female perfection than give it a valuable proportion of the praise it has merited I thought it not amiss to remove the Veile that obscured it from the Eyes of the Ignor anter part of the Masculine World and let them see how they have been imposed upon by the haters and contemners of the Beatious Sex and consequently induced to harbour a mean Esteem of Female virtue or the perfections of Women-kind who in Piety Constancy Entirest Love Amazing Beauty Arts and Arms have in all Ages been the boast of Nations and Exemplary even to a Miracle wadeing with undaunted resolves through the greatest of difficulties and dangers to such Eminence as has rendered them accomplished and stilled the hissing Snakes of Envy whilst those that sought to cross their Noble actions and Clip the Wings of flying Fame have been obliged to own themselves o'recome and tune the strings that were Discordant to their praises with which renowned stories and examples of Female Worthies drawn from Authentique Histories c. I have mostly filled the following Pages a Work that may prove grateful unless the Age proves otherwise however I dare not doubt the approbation of those for whose sakes it was compiled to whose virtues it ows it's Birth and of such it is I chiefly wish it may find acceptance which if it does I have my end and shall remain as heretofore the admirer of Female virtue And. Ladies Your Devoted Servant JOHN SHIRLEY To the LADIES the Authors APOLOGY LADIES beneath your Virtues Patronage This little Book wou'd shelter from the rage Of Carping Zolists who seldome spare The Candor of the Chast the Wise and Fair Like Boreas blasts or like a Lapland storm By Mild degrees compel'd is to reform The Task was bold but Love and your sweet Charms Made me forget the Girds of Envies Arms To your Fair Sex this Book 's a Votarie What pitty is it then to let it dye Or Languish long which it alas must do Vnless 't is kindly Entertain'd by you Come take it in your Hands give it a Smile And make it live though but a little while I 'm shure to you'ts no Foe for see it wears Your Virtues Badge enchac'd with those bright Stars That in the Female Firmament do shine There rendering you so Lovely and Divine Ladies once more Protection it bespeaks If not for it 's yet for your omn dear sakes Give shelter to it e're the storm awakes THE INTRODUCTION WHEN the Wise Creator had furnished the Glorious Universe in every part with wonderous Varietie he formed Man and brought him into it as into a stately Pallace stored with what might please each Sence and render him Delight a Thousand wayes which great Munificence might have over-charged the largest Thought and put a Limit to the vastness of desire yet the Divine goodness thought not this sufficient for his Darling Favorit in favour of whom the visible World was made decked in all it 's glitering Glories but opening wider yet his giving Hand to make his Happiness the more compleat he Added a Blessing worthier than the rest formed of Elements rarefied by cordial Life and soft Contexture giving it at once a Shape and Soul Angelical the last Created but admired beyond the first A Work that put a period to the great Work-masters undertaking as made to Crown the rest of the Creation and that it might be the more Ennobled gave it a name signifying life and bowed the lofty Soul of Man to cherish and admire it to place in it next Heaven his chief felicity by centring in this lovely Creature Woman adding attractive charms and winning graces such as might captivate the stubornest heart and melt the rockie Orbe of strict reservedness ease the labouring of the mind and smooth the rumpled waves of a disordered passion which made the Enemy of Man-kind swell with Envy and contract a deadly hatred nourished with a mortal Bane to behold in any one creature an adornment of so many Excellencies such an Epitome of Coelestial Innocence clad in unvaluable Robes of native Beauty and as it were regreting that the Favours of the highest were so largly dispenced to any Creature of a lower rank than Angels and that corporeal beings should nearly vie in excellency with incorporial he layed the guilded Bait of Aspiring greatness in her way and with a subtill Guile under disguise prevailed to be believed and by being credited to affront his Maker and heap up a vengeance terrible in seducing her on whom the Image of the Deitie was livelyly portrayed nor was the fraud imposed as some have fancy'd without regret even Hellish malice being touch'd with Remorse to injure such a lovely frame of Innocence And thus imagine him at the first view of our Grand Parents to have pondered with himself Of aâ—â—lwhat do my Eyes with grief behold Earth Born Creatures of a different mould Advanc'd into the happy Realms of Light Not Spirits yet near to Heavenly Spirits Bright Whom my great Thoughts with wonder do persue And in them a Divine resemblance view And cou'd a Love in my hot Breast remain Of ought but Mischief's dire and deadly Bain
the Passioâ—ate Xerine expir'd whose Soul with â—uch difficulty staved behind loving â—im even as her Life who had injur'd â—er with so great a deceit Sir J. B. 〈◊〉 Rocoles of Impostors Hoâ—â— Wife of Beâ—xamut a Valiâ—nt Captain of the Alarbes had so â—reat affection for her Husband that whilst he liv'd She never disobey'd or disoblig'd him and when he dyed She almost drown'd in Tears caused his Funeral Obsequies to be performed on the solemnest manner with infinite cost nor would be Induced to forsake his Tomb where after Nine days Fasting she dyed breathing out her last Breath by his Side He first Deceas'd She for a few days try'd To live without him lik'd it not and dy'ds Camer Oper. Subcisiv The Emperour Conrade the Third besieging Guelphus Duke of Bavaria in the City of Wensberg in Germany the Women made a request to that Emperour that they might pass out with so much as they could carry upon their backs which was granted he supposed they would lade themselves with their Furniture but on the contrary these loving Dames preferring the safety of their Husbands before all Earthly Riches took each of them their Husbands carried them as Packs which Act of Love so moved the Emperour that he wept not only received the Duke into his favour but gave all the men their lives extolling the Womens Transcednent Love with deserved Praise Lonicer Theatr. Prince Edward afterward Edward the First King of England whilst he Warred in the Holy Land having reduced the City of Accone being stab'd with an Impoison'd Knife by one Auzazim a Sarazin who had the opportunity of aproaching him under the Pretence of a Message from one of the Pagan Governours when all hopes of â—ure failed his Virtuous Wife Elenor at the hazzard of her Life daly suck'd the Wounds till the Venom of the poison was extracted for which amazing Love when he came to be King he caused her Arms as Memorials of Conjugal affection to be fixed on divers publick places Bakers Cron. Sulpitia the Wife of Lentulus after the proscribing of her Husband by the Influence of the Triumvire and his â—ight to Pompy's Son in Sicily notwithstanding the strict 〈…〉 set upon her found means to escape in disguise not weighing the danger oâ— being proscribed her self equal to the Fidelity to her Husband Eumonus burying the dead fallen in the Battle of Sabin where the Indians Warr'd with Amigonus amongst the slain was found the body of Cereas an Indian who commanded those Troopsâ— which man according to the Custom of that Countrey had at sundrey times Married two Wives both which Lov'd him entirely for whereas there was a 〈…〉 and is yet in some places observed that the live Wife shall be bunrt with the dead Husband these Women were so far from declineing it that they strove which of them should make her Bed with him in the Flames as if they had contended for some Glorious Prize the last Marry'd of these pleaded before the Judges that were to decide the Controversie that the former was with Child and therefore ought to be exempted to which the other aledg'd it was fit she should bell before her in Honour as the elder Marry'd 〈◊〉 it 〈◊〉 customary 〈◊〉 things and after a long 〈◊〉 between them the Judges being inform'd by the Midwives that the Elder Marry'd was with Child adjudged the Younger should have her desire which done the other departed rending her Diadem Hair and Garments with many loud Laments as if some grievous calimity had befaln her The other overjoy'd at her Victory in the most Magnificient attire as if she had been going to her Wedding was led by her friends to the Pile whereon her Husband lay Singing all the way being there arriv'd taking off all her Ornaments she deliver'd them to her Friends and Servants in 〈◊〉 of remembrance they consisting of a multitude of Rings with variety of Precious Stones Chains and Stars of Gold c. This done she was by her Brother Placed upon the Pile by her Husband which Pile after the Army had thrice compass'd it was Fir'd and she without so much as a groan finish'd her life in the flame an Instance of Invincible Love and Female Courage and might justly were it not some what Eclips'd by the name of a Self-violence stand the glory of the Sex Didor Sicul. Such Phaenixes the World does rarely yield No Nation boasts them but the Indian Field Pondoerus a Persian Captain being in Arms against Jacobus King of Persia and Son to Vsan Cassants his Wife a Beautiful Lady not exceeding fifteen years besought him by all the Ties of love to lay down his Arms and submit but notwithstanding he lov'd her entirely yet would not yield to her request Then she desir'd him and adjur'd him by all that was Sacred that he would kill her before he gave Battle that it might not be said she out-liv'd him but he regarding more his head-strong Ambition than her Tears whom Grief made lovely sounded the Charge and was slain in Fight his Lady was likewise taken Prisoner and by the King bestowed upon one of his Captains who intreating her to receive him as her Husband with many proffers of kindness and great presents She wonderfully opposed but perceiving he would have that by force which by fair means he could not obtain she required time to consider the point and thereupon retiring sent him a Note wherein was written That none should say the Wife of Pondoerus did long survive him and with that she fell upon a Sword and died Fulgos l. 4. Since he was gone to whom her love inclin'd She lik'd not life and wou'd not stay behind Cedrenus in his History tells us that Constantine the ninth caused the Roman Argyrapalis to be brought before him together with his Wife a Beautious young Lady threatning him with all the Torments imaginable if he did not put her away and in her stead take his Daughter which if he did he promis'd to make him his Heâ—r and raise him by other promotions in the Empire The man at this stood confounded with in himself not knowing what to Answer when the Lady perceiving what danger he was likely to fall into if he refused to comply with the Emperours demand Ah Sâ— said she to her Husband I see you arâ— much hindred in a brave way if it onâ—â— rest in your wife that you be not greaâ— and happy I freely deprive my self of all yea of your Company which is more precious to me than all the Empires of tâ—â— World rather then prejudice your Foâ—tane for know I love you better thaâ— my life And so saying out of a tender compassion to the preservatioâ— of him she lov'd so dear she câ—â— off her Hair and enter'd into a Monastery spending the rest of her day in Piety and Divotion Caus H. Câ— in treat of passions Turning the Torrent of her Earthâ— love To a mere lasting Sence of Joys abovâ— Arria the Wife of Cecinna
her helpless Chastity She â—esiring not to out-live the loss of her â—â—onour though her Friends comforted â—â—er in the best manner saying she â—â—as Guiltless seeing it was done by Violence contrary to her Consent When â—â—e better to Accomplish her design â—â—s well as she could dissembled her â—â—rrow appearing by degrees to dry â—â—p the Extraordinary flood of Grief â—â—at slow'd from her Beautious Eyes â—â—e desir'd them one day to goe with â—â—er to the Monument of her Husband 〈◊〉 the often Visitation of which is ordiâ—ary in many Countreys being come â—either she Entreated them to list up â—e stone that she might see how â—eath and his short continuance there â—ad alter'd him which stone oâ— a vast â—eight being rais'd on one side and rop'd up she under pretence of seriously viewing those Reliques of â—ortality Leaped into the Tomb â—here her dead Husband lay pulling way at the same time the stay which offer'd the stone to fall with such â—rce that her Head being mortally â—rus'd she soon died and was buried with her Lord. Lon. Thatre The latter loss beyond the First imploy'd Her sadded Soul though Fate before had Tri'd In her dear Lord's mishap a Death to give But Chastity once gone she scorn'd to live Novellus Caronceus Lord of Paria falling in Love with a beautiful Virgin a Citizens Daughter of Vincentia and her Chistity not yeilding by fair entreaties to his lacivious designs he caused her to be taken out of her Fathers house and forcibly Ravished her after which he not having found the Plâ—â—sure he expected by reason of her unwillingness he Barbarously added a greater Cruelty by cutting her in pieces and sending her Mangled Limbs to her Parents Who astonished at so great a wickedness made their adress to the Senate of Venice in whom the horrour of the Fact mov'd at once such detestation and Compassion that warring on the murthering Ravisher they â—ook him and his two Sons whom â—hey delivered into the hands of the â—xecutioner Beard Theatre So loud to Heaven for Vengance was the cry Of Virgin blood and Injur'd Chastity Oâ—bright Deputy or Sub-governour 〈◊〉 a King of the West Saxans going â—s Progress happen'd in the absence 〈◊〉 one Beorn a noble Saxon to call 〈◊〉 his house whereas became a person 〈◊〉 such esteem with the King he 〈◊〉 as splendidly entertain'd but all 〈◊〉 delicates were nothing pleasing 〈◊〉 consideration of the beautiful Lady â—ith whom he found dinner ended 〈◊〉 oppertunity under pretence of â—mmunicating some Secrets he had 〈◊〉 charge to her Lord to retire 〈◊〉 to a private place out of the hearâ—â—g of the Servants where he reâ—â—al'd his wicked purpose using many â—â—treaties to oblige her to a comâ—â—acency but finding she had rather die than violate her Chastity he threw her by force on a Couch and Ravish'd her after which leaving her overwhelm'd in Tears he with his retinue hasted thence The afflicted Lady concealing as much as in her lay the shame that was done her till her Lord came home fell at his Feet with great Cries declaring the Mischief that had befallen her saying she was altogether unworthy to name him her Husband since she had been so shamelessly abused intreating him by all the former Ties of Love to revenge himself and her which he not long after too sadly effected by being instrumental in bringing in the Danes who made miserable Havock of the Kingdom slaying the Ravisher and most of the Forces he lead Speeds Chron. Wonderful were the Examples of the Chast Ladies in the Abby of Glassenbury who by the Advice and Example of their Abess least their Incomparable Beauties should be the occasion of loosing their honours cutâ— off their Lips and Noses at the time when the Danes made progress through the Land with Fire and Sword and by that means saving their Chastity lost their Lives for the Barbarous Enemy finding it was done to cross their purpose cruelly put them to the Sword doubtless not unhappy for them who found thereby a speedy way to the reward of their Piety Speeds Cron. Stand back Diana in whom Fables tell The Sacred love of Chastity did dwell Yet cruel still they Paint thee for thine Eyes They say were pleas'd with Humain Sacrifice Give place to these whose Virtues shine more bright Than all the flames that on thy Alters blaz'd Whose Chaster Souls above the Stars took flight And for Deliverance their great Maker prais'd Of Piety In Piety and Love of sacred things this Sex is no ways wanting as not to mention the Examples of those 〈◊〉 Holy Writ many Histories haviâ—â— the lively Monuments of unwearâ—â— Divotion can furnish us nor haâ—â— they refus'd in most Ages to lay doâ—â— their lives with chearfulness for tâ—â— sake of their Redeemer Triumphiâ—â— with a Holy Joy in the Circling flamâ—â— bearing with a constancy and patienâ—â— almost Inexpressible all the Tormeâ—â— Witty Horror could invent nay soâ—â— have griev'd to be depriv'd of suchâ— Glory and long'd with eager Zealâ— pass through Tribulation to the plaâ—â— where Crowns and Diadems aâ— lay'd up for the perseverer in faithfuâ—ness till Death Eulalia a noble Virgin of Portugâ—â— dispising all the proffer'd Glories thâ—â— consist in Transcient things spent hâ—â— time and care in heaping up a Treasuâ—â— for her Soul Sobriety and Modeâ—â— were her Attendants and Discretiâ—â— Crown'd her Actions a Zeal and Fâ—â—vent Love to her Redeemer made hâ—â— fearless of danger knowing his support is all-sufficient and so continuâ—â— she increasing in Grace and Virtâ—â— when Hell stir'd up it's wicked Engins to oppose the flourishing Gospel when the Heathens â—â—harras ' 〈◊〉 Church than was it she appeared most constant and devout resolving to suffer any affliction for him that had redeemed her with his precious Blood and when the Christians were commanded to offer Sacrifice to Devils this Couragious Virgin by her Prayers and Exhortations encouraged them to be steadfast in the Faith and not to give the Tempter ground Praying dayly in the presence of the Heathen which her Parents who loved her entirely perceiving and fearing she might fall under the punishment of the Rigorous decree sent her to their Countrey House distant from the City and watched her there least she should escape but she desirous to possess a Crown of life brooked not that Solitude but found means to leave it and being sometime after presented to the Roman Prefect a man that Thirsted after Christian Blood she boldly own'd her Faith aledging she was ready to lay down her life for his sake from whom she had receiv'd itâ— which resolute persistance in that rigâ—teous 〈◊〉 made him rage to thâ— Excess that without regard to bâ— Birth Years or Tender Beauty 〈◊〉 commanded the Executioner to disâ—â—cate her Joynts and then with Wiâ—â— Beasts Claws tore off her Flesh whiâ—â— she regardless of her pain was praisâ—â— God for counting her worthy 〈◊〉 After this she was tortur'd with 〈◊〉 Iron Grate and had her Virgin Breaâ—â— Seer'd with flaming Torches whâ—â— fir'd
Foe and make his love renew In this case we find Famous Instances in Holy Writ as Sarah Rachel Leah Ruth and many more who thereby not only had immediate Blessings confer'd upon them but render'd themselves worthy Examples to all Posterity How many Virtuous Ladies might I number in Histories of divers Nations would the intended Brevity admit a further Enrolement of their Names who have wholly addicted themselves to Humility the true ground of Generosity and Nobleness even such as in an Ocean of Worldly Prosperity have rather considered they were Dust and that Earthly Riches and the Fond Aplause of flattring Parasites notwithstanding their enforc'd Eloquence could render them no other as for Instance Elizabeth Daughter to a King of Hungary and Wife to Lewis the Lantgrave of Tharengia amidst the Royalties wherewith her Court abounded was so wonderfully affected with the Sence of Humility that often remaining at home with her Maids she put on her meanest Apparel saying she would never use any other Ornaments when it should come to pass that the good and merciful Lord should put her into a condition wherein she might more freely dispose of her self When she went to her Divotion in publick not regarding her Greatness she would rather choose to Kneel amongst the Poor Women than the Ladies of the Court as imagining it most acceptable to her Maker After the Death of her Husband whom she lov'd she retir'd from places populous with few attendants and in the end went on Pilgramage giving to the Poor what came to her hands and Built for their Relief an Hospital wherein she Ministred to the Sick and took extraordinary care they should want for nothing being sent for to Return to her Fathers Court she made such Excuses and used so many Entreaties that she kept her station prefering Humility before the Enjoyments of a Kingdom Farewell thou great in mind who dost out-vie In this thy State of true Humility Those that Ambition tosses to the Skie So safe upon the Beach the Gentle Swain Beholds the trouble of the swelling Main And by contentment do's dose dangers shun Into whose Arms the greedy Saylers run Of Patience Nor is Patience though some detracters have aledg'd the contrary less admirable in Woman-kind what wonderful Tryals has the Sex undergone even to admiration not only in the loss of Substance and a reduction to Poverty loss of dearest Relations and the like but with an admirable constancy and strmness of Mind the most unjust and undeserv'd Punishments not mov'd nor disorder'd by the almost Unconquerable effects of Feaâ— and Anger But stood their Ground against the storms of Fate Nothing their brave Resolves cou'd dissipate Gaining a second place to his great worth Whom Uz to admiration did bring forth Nor is it amiss to mention one singular Example by which the Reader may guess at the rest In the Reign of Charles the Ninth French King divers Licentius villains getting together to shead Innocent Blood Plunder Houses and commit many other outrages amongst the rest one whose Name was Dure a very proper Name for such an Inexorable Ruffain Entering with many Curses and Imprecation the House of one Agnes a virtuous Widdow and casting a Cord about her Neck drag'd her about till she was almost strangled she not in the least complaining and then letting her come a little to her self demanded where her Money was to which with a compos'd Countenance she reply'd she had no more than a French Penny which made him Rage exceedingly and again repeat his cruelty in draging her about but perceiving she was unconcern'd at this he put hot Eggs under her Armpits till they were Scorch'd and Blister'd extreamly yet she not so much as complain'd but was more concern'd at the Impious Blasphemies he utter'd than at her own pain After that finding her Arm'd with Patience to a Miracle he threatned to throw her from the highesâ— Steeple in the Town yet fearless of that Danger she Reply'd If you throw my Body never so low you cannot hinder my Soul from ascending into Heaven The Wretch by this wonderful Constancy of Mind not yet being overcome stop'd Lime and Urine into her Mouth which she indur'd as the rest when finding he could no ways prevail he left her Clarks Mart. Of Steadfastness To this may be Added the Gallantry and unshaken Steadfastness wherewith some women have receiv'd Death and for Instance two of our own Nation were most Admirable Queen Ann one of the Wives of Henry the Eight and Mother to the Renown'd Queen Elizabeth upon the suppos'd false Accusations of some Envious Persons who look'd upon her Greatness with eyes Ascance being sentenc'd to Death as she was lead to be Beheaded in the Tower espying one of the Kings Privy Chamber she call'd him to her and Commend me said she to the King and tell him He is constant in his course of Advancing me for from a private Gentlewoman he made me a Marchioness from a Marchioness a Queen and now that he hath left no higher degree of Worldly Honour for me he hath made me a Martyr Bak. Chron. P. 408. Less admirable was not the Courage and Patience of the Learn'd Wise and Pious Jane Gray a Lady of Royal Extraction who for the guilty greatness of others who against her Will advanc'd her to the Seat that was not her right was in the Reign of Queen Mary together with her Husband the Lord Guildford Condemned to die during the respite Doctor Fecknam was sent to tell her she must prepare her self to die the next day which Message so little displeased her that she seem'd rather to rejoyce at it The Doctor being earnest with her to Embrace the old Religion and leave the new She Answer'd She had no time to think of any thing but preparing her self for God by Prayer The Doctor supposing she had spoken this that she might have some longer time of life obtain'd of the Queen a further respite of three days and gave her to understand as much Whereat she with a Smilling Countenance reply'd You are much deceiv'd if you think I had any desire of longer life I asure you since the time you went from me my life has been so tedious to me that I long for nothing so much as Death and since it is the Queens pleasure I most willingly uudergo it Bak. Chron. P. 458. Nor was the Countenances of these Ladies alter'd on the Scaffold till Death had turn'd their Lovely Faces to a deadly Paleness Neither was the latter at all discompos'd when she saw her Husband whom she Entirely lov'd brought into her apartment Headless as having the same morning been Executed a little before Holingsheads Chron c. Such is the strength of Mind some Women bear That Death 's Pale Terror can't infuse a Fear To these we might joyn the Beautious African Queen though in a different Method The Relation thus Sophonisba Queen of Numidia Wife to King Syphax upon the overthrow of her Husband
be as Capable of procuring themselves to be Register'd in the Book of Fame as those who stile themselves the Nobler Sex As for that the Composure of the Mortal hindring the Immortal part in performing it's office is a position frivelous and vain and makes more against those that object it than for them for it is often seen that in crooked and deform'd Bodies Wisdom chooses to dwell a Soul indued with more Knowledge perhaps than that which is found in a more stately fabrick of Flesh and Blood which Knowledge is wonderfully increased by Industry Study and Labour for although the Soul in it self being a spark of the Divine light is Immortal and a Spirit yet it is capable whilst on Earth of taking an Impression by Improvement though nothing can fully satisfie it but God from whom it proceeded and to whom it must return for its reward of good or evil The Body says the Wise-man returns to the Dust but the Spirit to God that gave it Aristotle was crooked and deformed yet the World has not since produced a man of so Universal a Genius so seen in all Arts and Sciences As for the coldness of Constitution that can be no hinderance for it has appear'd that men of colder Constitutions than many women have Exceeded the Capacities of the Sanguin and Cholerick What then may be the reason why it is plain Man having attain'd the upperhand in Rule and Power claiming it by Birth-right as first Created as much as in him lyes strives to keep that station as his prerogative by endeavouring to keep the Softer Sex in Ignorance and to Effect this he uses his utmost endeavours to possess her with a belief of her Incapacitieâ— hat she may not reach at things Sublime and by comprehending them know the largness of her Soul So the Egyptian Magiâ— to gain themselves the more esteem and be adored by the unthinking Vulgar had all their mistery in Hyroglyphicks dark resemblances which perhaps themselves scarce understood nor would they suffer any other Characters to pass for significations least the People by improvement in Learning might detect their falseties and grow Wiser than themselves So the Turk will suffer no Printing in his large Dominions least the greatest part whom he through Ignorance holds as in a Chain of Slavery Reading the Histories of other Lands should find how much they are Abus'd The Spaniards when they made a Conquest of the Golden Mines kept the knowledge of its value from the Native Indians that they might not strugle for it with an equal Covetousness This is the main reason why men decline to Celebrate the praises due to the Softer Sex and to let them know in General that their Souls have equal force their Wisdom nothing Inferior nor their Thoughts confin'd to narrower Limits than what comprehends the Soul of Man Through this thin Webb that would in vain obscure their Lustre many have broken contemning degenerate pleasures inglorious Sloath and Ease and choosing the better part by which they let men see they were no whit Inferior to them in what might render them accomplish'd and make them Blossom in the dust as in sundry rare Examples appears in the foregoing part of the Book Nor are all Women-kind less capable in some degree or other to improve those Golden opportunities that God has put into their hands Women as I have often said within the bounds of Virtue the Limit her Creator set is the most admirable Creature in the Universe a Creature so charming that we read the Sons of God beholding the Daughters of Men that they were fair did not disdaign to Espouse them from which happy Union mighty Hero's sprung Thus much may suffice to prove that there is an equality of the Soul and that it is Independent but on God who is it's Author and Instructor as for the Body it is evidently no less except as some will object it is made to suffer in case of Generation but that which they account a weakness whereby woman is render'd inferior to man proves her Glory and ought to be the chiefest Boast not only Nature but the God of Nature shewing wonders therein as an immediate signal of Almighty Favour his everlasting Covenant appears in this as Lively as when first he Blest our Parents in their happy Eden when affable and mild with Aspect Calme he Shone upon them in his Brightness and became their great Dictator e're his Brows were wrinkled with their disobedience e're his Adored Face chang'd into Terror too severe for Mortals to behold Thus Beautious Ladies who in Virtue strive To shame bold Vice and keep the World alive I have my Reason's to a Period brought Yet Writ no more than dwelt within my Thought Reasons that may induce you to improve Your Makers gift to gain your Makers love What Gallantry what Gory what Renown Beneath the Skies is worth a Starey-Crown Consider that Consider yet again If any Creatures Love you fain wou'd win Virtu'l Inamour the bright Cherubim Reasons drawn from the Immortality and wonderful Operation of the Soul more fully proving the Excellency of Woman-kind THe foregoing Considerations duly weighed and impartially consider'd may give the Unbias'd part of Man-kind a just reason to believe that that deserving Sex may justly claim an Equality in Wit and be as capable of attaining the profoundest Arts and Sciences as Man for it is not the Body but the Rational Soul Noble in its self as being a spark of the Divine Essence that center knowledge For as all Creatures Inferiour to Man-kind have their Life in their Blood as it is Testified in the seventeenth of Leviticus so the Life of Man and consequently of Woman consisteth in the Soul which although by reason of the gross Humidity of the Body is subject to sundry passions some more Noblâ— than others yet it being Immortaâ— cannot in its self suffer change as being a part of the Divine Mind and Blast of Almighty Breath that distinguishes us from other Creatures and that every one Created in that Glorious Idea has a peculiar Soul seems to be apparent in respect of the may differences in Judgments and Opinions Manners and Affections though it is no less certain that itsprings from one and the same Fountain of Life and Immortality It has occasion'd sundry disputes amonst the Learned of all Ages in what part of the Body the Soul has its chief Residence some affirm it has its Throne or Regal Seat in the Region of the Heart others with the like confidence and more reason conclude its Principal Seat is in the Brain from whence proceed the Senses faculties and actions and by defusing it self in operation it enlivens every part with Heat and Force with Spiritual Essence with Supernatural Intelects and Understanding and more particularly it communicates its force to the Heart by Arteries Carotides and Sleepy Arteries the stopage or obstruction of which causes despondencies of Mind as I have declared in the foregoing Chapter and
this is indifferent to either Sex why then should not either Sex be equaly capable of great things what should be the reason as to the main I have already given and now come to what remains which is the contentedness of the Noble Sex in complying with what Custome and Tradition has render'd nature and by their long continuance become as it were a Law which Generous Woman expressing thereby a kind of a Virtue in her Obedience is willing to submit to and render a Complyance with as part of that duty she ows to her Compeere not through Fear but Love a Love frequently so Transcendent that it nearly views with that of Angels and is as Inviolate as the Ties of Nature delighting themselves within which Pale many seek no higher happiness on this side Heaven practising on Earth to imitate that sacred Love which comprehends Felicity beyond Expression and by contemplating things above wean themselves from things below not but that they are capable of any thing that man pretends to would they apply themselves thereto and improve themselves therein what Kingdom knows not this if Envy or Ignorance cast not a Mist before their Eyes Scepters have often deigned to Kiss their hands and in the Beautious Grasp appear'd as aweful as when held by the rough Warriour Many wholsome Laws own them their Original and Justice has been impartially Administred Mercy too has found a place and the Oppress'd pluck'd out of the hands of the Oppressor Religion under their protection has flourish'd in its Purity and War been prosperous under their Heroick Conduct Arts have flourish'd by their countenance and skill Learning and Learned Men Indulg'd and Improv'd great has been their Sagacity and countless their Labours but more the Virtues that shine in them no where else sound brighter in their native Purity even such as have raise'd the admiration of the wisest Sons of Men and ought as a mark of goodness to have a valuable Estimation set upon them that they may convince the folly of the Ignorant and shame the Envious and so regulate the World that men may not for want of better knowledge be imposed on to believe what is not nor the wiser sort so far forget themselves as to dishonour those who are the honour of Man kind Greater things then these might be said upon the Subject but as to these Particulars for breviti's sake what has been spoken may suffice from which I shall proceed to that which comes next to be consider'd which is the happiness Man Injoys in being made capable of possessing a Blessing exceeding all that he can fancy upon Earth So Soft so Loving Charming and so Kind That all the Creatuâ—'s to his use assign'd Compriz'd in one all that in them is rare Cannot by infinite degrees with this compare Search for the Unicorn of Indian Breed For the Camelian that on Air does feed For the gay Phenix in Arabian fields Or for the Gold and Gems that India yeilds With cold Imaus Top Eagles Eyes then View And Hibla cover'd with Milliferous Dew View Sharons Valleys all with Roses spread An'th Cedar Crown on Lebanon's Large head Behold the place where spotless Lillies grow In Native pride or where the Rivers Flow Rowling on Golden Sands their fluctant Waves Or where the Sea which rich Armaspia Laves And leaves on the forsaken shore those Gems That Star-like glitter in Kings Diadems View all the Spicie Grove whose Fragrance greet The Traveller before his Eyes can see 't View all the Gaudy Plumes which on the Wind With out-spread wings an easy passage find And all those Animals Earth does contain To these joyn those that cut the swelling Main And still add more let Floras Glory come Nay Ceres her Gold sheaves with su eat brought home And kind Pomona with her giving hand Nay Baccus who o're Men has large command Let these and what of this kind thoughâ—s can frame In one unite In one their worth proclaim Compar'd with Women Scarce they 'l find a name The Happiness that accrues to Man in the possession of so great a Blessing as a Virtuous Woman ABove all Earthly Blessings for which Man ought to pay the most profound Adoration to the Tremendious Majesty of Heaven Woman is deservedly placed as being a part of himself and more immediately made for his sollace and delight a Blessing by which a multitude of Blessings redound to him such as cannot be receiv'd from any other Creature because the means and opportunity in them are wanting nor did the wise Creator think sit to order it otherwise for as much as likenesses are mostly desired and the Soul is so Essentially noble that it detests Familiarity with any thing inferiour to its self looking down upon Creatures Irational as things made for its Service and subjected to it as in indeed they are for Man was made to seve his Maker and all things else for the Service and Use of Man wherefore nothing could be found complacient amongst Irational Creatures all the Beauty of the Universe look'd like a Clouded Star till the bright Beauty of Female Excellency appear'd and like the Sun dispeld those Damps that heaviness of Mind had rais'd and so pleasing at first was the Queen of Sublunar things that Adam was wonderfully surpriz'd to behold any Mortal frame so fair and some have fancy'd that e're he had better inform'd himself he took her not to be of Mortal or Material substance and thus imagine him to have Accoasted her Fairest of Creatures found the last but best How am I with a sight so pleasing blest If you are Mortal speak But O! I fear No mortal frame so Beautious can appear So great a favour Heav'n will not give To Mortal Man that must consented live With what his Bounteous hand has given him And not desire a dazling Seraphim Yet something strange does move my earnest Soul Strange thoughts about my Feble Fabricâ—roul And to surpress them 't is in vain I strive Without this Fair methinks I cannot live Loadstone like my heart draws her and she Like the Blest Nedle's moveing towards me O! Great Creator now I well perceive This is a Blessing thou intends to give A happy Blessing which makes all compleat A favour which must surely make me great Since I on Earth find such a Charming Mate In whom methinks the Graces all appear And native Beauty shines as in it's sphere An aire so pleasing from her Face doe sty Such Roses staine her Cheeks with Crimson dye Such Beams of light dart front her piercing Eye Whilst Lillies all her Beautious structure spread And with their Whiteness mix the pleasing Red So Charming is she that if not Enjoy'd All favours else are by that loss destroy'd But to come nearer to what is intended Woman is certainly the greatest Earthly comfort Man can be capable of possessing as being rightly term'd the sollace of his Life and to Wave her being part of his Original or an Instrument in the hand of