Though I had not the happiness to be acquainted with that excellent woman, whose character is here published for an example unto others; yet having been desired to peruse this breviate of her life and death, I could not but judge it fit for public view, in regard of the great benefit which many may reap by reading of it; for examples have a special efficacy to provoke and extimulate others to be followers of those who through faith and patience do inherit the Promises. The Apostle amongst that cloud of witnesses by whose faith he doth persuade others to run with patience unto ⟨image 3⟩the race which is set before them, hath recorded the examples of Sarah, Rahab, Moses his mother, and other women, as an encouragement unto unweariednesse in that race. And maketh honourable mention of Phoebe, Priscilla, Mary, Persis, and other holy women, whose graces are not only crowned in heaven, but are left as a sweet perfume in the Church on earth, to quicken the imitation of all good women in all after-ages: Nor was this way of celebrating the memory of gracious women out of use afterwards. Gregory Nazianzen hath a Panegyrical Oration on his Sister Gorgonia; Basil upon the Martyr Julitta; Nyssen upon Pulcheria and Placilla; Chrysostom upon Bernice, Prosdole, Pelagia; Hierom is copious in the praises of Lea, Marcella, Asella, Blesilla, Paula, Fabiola, &c. Nor do women of eminent graces now less deserve honour, nor others of inferior note less need helps for their encouragement, than they did in former Ages. I commend both the work and the Readers to Gods blessing.
THough I had not the happinesse to be acquainted with that excellent woman, whose character is here published for an example unto others; yet having been desired to peruse this breviate of her life and death, I could not but judge it fit for publick view, in regard of the great benefit which many may reap by reading of it; for examples have a special efficacy to provoke and extimulate others to be followers of those who through faith and patience do inherit the Promises. The Apostle amongst that cloud of witnesses by whose faith he doth perswade others to run with patience unto ⟨image 3⟩the race which is set before them, hath recorded the examples of Sarah, Rahab, Moses his mother, and other women, as an encouragement unto unweariednesse in that race. And maketh honourable mention of Phebe, Priscilla, Mary, Persis, and other holy women, whose graces are not only crowned in heaven, but are left as a sweet perfume in the Church on earth, to quicken the imitation of all good women in all after-ages: Nor was this way of celebrating the memory of gracious women out of use afterwards. Gregory Nazianzen hath a Panegyrical Oration on his Sister Gorgonia; Basil upon the Martyr Julitta; Nyssen upon Pulcheria and Placilla; Chrysostom upon Bernice, Prosdole, Pelagia; Hierom is copious in the praises of Lea, Marcella, Asella, Blesilla, Paula, Fabiola, &c. Nor do women of eminent graces now lesse deserve honour, nor others of inferiour note lesse need helps for their encouragement, than they did in former Ages. I commend both the work and the Readers to Gods blessing.
