It joyed this Blessed Saint while alive, that she should ⟨image 4⟩leave her surviving Children, and so many of her Grand-Children, walking in the Truth. And if an Heathen took such high content, that the Honour which he arrived to, befell him, while his Parents were yet living; whereby they had a pleasure in seeing his happiness; How much more may it comfort the Pious Relations of this Saint, that this their Precious Parent, had the joy of seeing them ennobled with Divine Grace, and so in their way to Heaven, before her self went thither. I am sure, it hath been an Heart-breaking-sorrow to some Children, that they converted not to God, before their Godly Parents bodies, were converted into Dust; and thereby cause them to go sighing with sorrow ⟨image 5⟩to their Graves; who, might they but first have seen them reclaimed, would have gone down to them singing for joy. It is a blessed sight, to behold Children, especially of Noble Persons, imitating their Godly Parents Graces. God is no respectre of Persons, 1yet saith Saint Bernard, I know not how it comes to pass, that Virtue in a Noble Person, doth more please; Is it not haply, because it is more conspicuous? and so more attractive. This Consideration made me more readily obey your Honours commands, in publishing these mean Papers; hoping that this great Example of Piety, in so Noble a Lady, together, with ⟨image 5⟩the Honour that attended her to the Grave for it, may cause some of high Birth, a little more, to consider their great mistake, in thinking to overtake Honour in the dirty paths of Profaneness and Irreligion; and so be moved, at last, to change their way, and turn into this clean road of Piety; wherein this good Lady walking, lived with so much esteem, and dyed so wonderfully lamented. The character, that I have here given of her, is True, but not full; nay, far short of her worth. Her Graces were of so high a strain, that I may truly say,2 what Saint Jerome did, concerning his ⟨image 6⟩commending Marcella, a Noble Roman Lady. I was afraid to speak all I knew of her Wisdom, Sanctity, Charity, and other Excellencies, lest I should seem to exceed the belief of some; those, I mean, who knew her not; for as any were more, and longer acquainted with her, so their estimate of her advanced higher. And must not that Piece be admirably well drawn, which is most commended by those (if able to judge) that stand nearest, and look longest on it?
It joyed this Blessed Saint while alive, that she should ⟨image 4⟩leave her surviving Children, and so many of her Grand-Children, walking in the Truth. And if an Heathen took such high content, that the Honour which he arrived to, befel him, while his Parents were yet living; whereby they had a pleasure in seeing his happiness; How much more may it comfort the Pious Relations of this Saint, that this their Pretious Parent, had the joy of seeing them ennobled with Divine Grace, and so in their way to Heaven, before her self went thither. I am sure, it hath been an Heart-breaking-sorrow to some Children, that they converted not to God, before their Godly Parents bodies, were converted into Dust; and thereby cause them to go sighing with sorrow ⟨image 5⟩to their Graves; who, might they but first have seen them reclaimed, would have gone down to them singing for joy. It is a blessed sight, to behold Children, especially of Noble Persons, imitating their Godly Parents Graces. God is no respecter of Persons, 1yet saith Saint Bernard, I know not how it comes to pass, that Vertue in a Noble Person, doth more please; Is it not haply, because it is more conspicuous? and so more attractive. This Consideration made me more readily obey your Honours commands, in publishing these mean Papers; hoping that this great Example of Piety, in so Noble a Lady, together, with ⟨image 5⟩the Honour that attended her to the Grave for it, may cause some of high Birth, a little more, to consider their great mistake, in thinking to overtake Honour in the dirty paths of Prophaneness and Irreligion; and so be moved, at last, to change their way, and turn into this clean road of Piety; wherein this good Lady walking, lived with so much esteem, and dyed so wonderfully lamented. The character, that I have here given of her, is True, but not full; nay, far short of her worth. Her Graces were of so high a strain, that I may truly say,2 what Saint Jerome did, concerning his ⟨image 6⟩commending Marcella, a Noble Roman Lady. I was afraid to speak all I knew of her Wisdom, Sanctity, Charity, and other Excellencies, lest I should seem to exceed the belief of some; those, I mean, who knew her not; for as any were more, and longer acquainted with her, so their estimate of her advanced higher. And must not that Piece be admirably well drawn, which is most commended by those (if able to judge) that stand nearest, and look longest on it?
- 1Minimè quidem Deus est acceptor personarum: Nescio tamenquo pacto, virtus in Nobili plus placet; An fortè quia plus claret? Epist. CXIII. ad Sophiam virginem.
- 2Quid in illâ virtutum, quid ingenii, quid sanctitatis, quid puritatis invenerim; vereor dicere, ne fidem credulitatis excedam. Hieron. Ep. 16. ad Princip. Virg.
