A26870:189
A breviate of the life of Margaret, the daughter of Francis Charlton ... and…
A breviate of the life of Margaret, the daughter of Francis Charlton ... and wife of Richard Baxter ... : there is also published the character of her mother, truly described in her published funeral sermon, reprinted at her daughters request, called, The last work of a believer, his passing-prayer recommending his departing spirit to Christ, to be received by him.
London: printed for B. Simmons, 1681
Chapter 8: Of her Mental Qualifications, and her Infirmities.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
I thought, while I wrote none needlessly, the modal imperfection of two was less evil than the total omission of one: She thought I should have spent more time in Religious exercise with her, my Family, and my Neighbours, though I had written less. I thought there were many to do such work, that would not do mine; and that I chose the greatest, which I durst not omit, and could not do both in the measure that I desired else to have done.
I thought, while I wrote none needlesly, the modall imperfection of two was less evil than the total omission of one: She thought I should have spent more time in Religious exercise with her, my Family, and my Neighbours, though I had written less. I thought there were many to do such work, that would not do mine; and that I chose the greatest, which I durst not omit, and could not do both in the measure that I desired else to have done.
§. 11. As she saith (before cited) her self, that if she was but in a condition, in which Gods service was costly to her, it would make her know whether she were sincere or not; so she had her wish, and proved her sincerity by her costliest obedience: It cost her not only her labour and Estate, but somewhat of her trouble of body and mind; For her knife was too keen, and cut the sheath. Her desires were more earnestly set on doing good, than her tender mind and head could well bear; for indeed her great infirmity was the four Passions of Love, Desire, Fear, and Trouble of Mind. Anger she either had very little, next none, or little made it known. She rarely ever spake in an angry manner: She could not well bear to hear one speak loud, or hastily, or eagerly, or angrily, even to those that deserved it: My ⟨p. 74⟩temper in this she blamed, as too quick and earnest: When her servants did any fault unwillingly, she scarce ever told them of it; when one lost Ten Pounds worth of Linen in carriage carelessly, and another Ten Pounds worth of Plate by negligence, she showed no anger at any such thing. If servants had done amiss, and we could not prove it, or knew not which did it, she would never ask them her self, nor suffer others, lest it should tempt them to hide it by a lye (unless it were a servant that feared God, and would not lye).