‘My reward is above’‘Crescit sub pondere virtus.’
Behold Bright Ʋirtues Glorious Emblem plac't
Beneath a Crown with beaming Stars Enchas't.
Ʋirtue like Palms dos under pressure rise,
And Phoenix like true Ʋirtue never dies.

London printed for Iohn Harris at ye Harrow in ye 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 Ni [...]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 [Page]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 [Page]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,
Ʋnless 'tis 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 [Page]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 [Page]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 a [...]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:
[Page]
And cou'd a Love in my hot Breast re­main
Of ought, but Mischief's dire and dead­ly Bain,
AConquest here perhaps I wou'd not gain.
Ah lovely Pair! you little think how nigh
Sad ambushments of certain Death do lye,
When all the Bland delights that Charm you now,
Will leave you over-cast with Clouds of woe,
A Foe is Enter'd your great seat of Bliss,
Whose self unpittied pitty must Express,
For you who wrong'd me not, did not a Rage
'Gainst him who plac'd you here, my spleen ingage;
A hope of Conquest do's compell me now
To doe what else, though dam'd I wou'd not doe.

But to wave Fancy in so profound a mistery, certain it is, that this un­happy yielding of the fairest of Crea­tures to the subtill Alurements of the fallen Angel (whose strength and wisdome, though much debased, is not to be coped with by mortal Might, nor his powerful Temptations, to be over-come without the immediate [Page]Divine assistance) became a means of the Almighties further expressing his boundless Love to Man-kind, in that great mistery of Godliness, the Incarnation of our Blessed Saviour; a Mistery so, stupendious and amazing, that all the Host of Heaven, all the blessed Hierarchies of Seraphims & Che­rubims, Arch Angels and Angels con­template and admire it, so that not without reason was the first Created Woman called Eve; a Name signi­fying life, since from her decended that Glorious Virgin, from whose spotless Womb proceeded the Foun­tain of life and immortality, who wonderfully repaired our first defor­mity, by condecending to take our Nature upon him, and revenged our cause in breaking the Serpents head, restoring us to an undoubted possibili­ty of obtaining a more glorious Para­dise than that from whence our first Parents fell.

Womans blest Seed to life prepar'd the way,
The glorious Path that leads to endless day,
To dazling Mansions, to a place of Bliss,
That Eye ne'r saw, nor Tongue cou'd e're express:
Then why should man her praises due decline,
Who is a Sphere wherein all Virtues shine;
Once the Recess of him, that's all Divine.

Nor does woman yet desist to re­tain an Aire of Paradise, (the place wherein she was formed) in her Mo­desty and seemly Behaviour, Innocence, Piety, and extradinary Love of sacred things, as in sundry Examples are ma­nifested; nor does the transcendent Beautie existent in many, signifie less, then that woman is the most refined of all Creatures, who deservedly pay re­spect of her as the Queen of all sublunary things, and perfection of the Universe: that perfection being properly termed the Divine Light shining on created Essence, and beaming thence its luster by reflex to captivate the Heart, to command a profound Awe and Reverence, as if the perfections scattered in all other crea­tures [Page]were collected in her, who is a draught of the Creation in mini­ature: for this cause the Lyon nobly bold stands in Awe of her; the Uni­corn for love of her becomes a wilful captive; nor has the unwieldie Elephant been less enamoured with the charm­ing Sex: nay, Spirits infernal have been passionate, as appears by the oft Espoused Maid, who at last was free'd from her Daemonick lover Asmodeus, and became the Lot of Tobits Son. Abigals Beauty and Humility pre­vented Davids shedding Blood. Queen Hester's Piety and matchless Beauty wrought deliverance to her People, and turned the bloody decree upon the Man and his House that had pro­moted and procured it. Judiths Beau­ty charmed the Pagan General, into that security that wrought his ruin, and the great delivery of her Coun­trey from the rage of the oppressing Sword, restoring peace to Jacobs Heritage; and after Jobs reiterated Tribulations (miseries that Mortal man could never have undergone, if not supported by a hand Divine) [Page]the greatest Earthly recompence for his unparalel'd patience, was that God blessed him with Daughters exceeding all other Women in Beauty, which makes Solomon set a value on them a­bove the price of Rubies, and afirm, He that findeth a good Wife, findeth a good thing, &c. And the Author of the Ecclesiastes affirmeth that Husband blessed, that is Husband of a good Wife; So great has been the esteem of Female Virtue amongst the wisest of men in all Ages, Holy writ stiling the Woman a Crown, the glory of the Man, &c. Therefore she being the compleatment, felicity and glory of Man, it is highly reasonable she should be loved and esteemed as she truly deserves: nay, such was the esteem of this Sex, that those who gave Names to the three principal parts of the World, as Asia, Europe and Africa seem to have derived them from the names of women, thereby affording them a lasting memory, not capa­ble of end till time shall be no more.

Should we take a particular survey of the many Virtues of this Sex, what [Page]Volume can contain them in their pro­per luster, or set them forth at large? what Rhetorick can Paint them to the life, and not be found therein deficient.

If Chastity we prize, it was a wo­man first vowed Virginity to her Maker. If Prophecy, the Sybils were strangely inspired, but more imme­diately Mirriam the Sister of Moses, &c. If constancy and steadfast Love, Ruth is a pattern to a Miracle: If a firm grounded Faith, the Widdow of Sarepta may justly take place, who believed the Prophet in a thing to Humane Sense impossible: If in a strong Belief, Elizabeth the Wife of Za­charias and the Blessed Virgin. If con­stancy in a Righteous cause, and the contempt of Death, rather than disobey the God that made us and the World, be a Heroick virtue, behold the Woman who encouraged her seven Sons to dye by the most exquisit Tortures, and after ward with joy and patience submitted to the like her self: If for those we have esteem, whose sacred Charity extends to Souls, let [Page]us consider the Lumbards, next to that Saving Grace, that put in with her pious and unwearied endeavors, chiefly owe their conversion to the Christi­an Religion, to Theodilina Daughter to a King of Bavaria; the like do the Hungarians to Greisil Sister to the Emperour Henry the first; and the same acknowledgment the Franks must make to Clotildis Daughter to a King of Bur­gundy. Nor was the Virtuous Helena Daughter to King Colus, and Wife to the Emperour Constantine, careless not only to protect and succour the Chri­stians, but as far as in her lay, to cause that growing Religion to take deep Root, in all or most of the Provinces of the Empire. In learning deep Sciences and Misteries of the profoundest degree, if attainable by Humane Capacity, Wo­men have been found expert. Nay in such rare Inventions as perhaps had yet remained in the dark Embrio of obscurity, had not Female Wisdome snatched them thence and nursed them to maturity. The Gracchi's Tongues by the industry of their Mother Cor­nelia, were made fit Instruments of [Page]Eloquence, not only to command the Listening Ears of Plebeans, but those of Aged Senators, through which Organs they stole the hearts of wa­vering Rome, and bowed them to their intrest. Nor was Istrinia Queen of Scythia less Industrious in Accomplish­ing her Son in that degree of Learn­ing, that he Eclipsed the Fame of his great Ancestors: nor in Physick, Phy­losophy, Divine Misteries, &c. have they less Excell'd, as will ap­pear when I come to more particular Examples; and if from Schools we pass to Courts and Camps, there we shallfind the Trump of Fame more loud. Ophis for her noble Actions was Reverenced by the Aegyptians as a Deitie. Debora Plotinathe, Wife of Trajan. Semirames, and Candaces, were no less Famous for Prudence and Conduct, than for Power and Magni­ficence: Thomiris Queen of the Massa­getae, Subdued the mighty Cyrus Em­perour of the Meeds and Persians, and having taken him in Battle, caused his Head to be stricken off, in revenge of haveing slain her Son, and cast it [Page]into a Cauldron of Blood, saying that since he had thirsted so much af­ter Blood, and shed it causlessly, be should not want his fill. The brave A­themesia Encountering the Navy of the Rhodians, who were on their way to destroy her Countrey, Overthrew them in a dreadful Sea fight, and prosecuting her Victory, seized upon the Isle of Rhodes, erecting a Trophy in Memory thereof in their Capital City; and yet these are but trifles to what has been performed by Noble Viragoes whose Courage and Conduct has been manifested to Admiration; as for Instance, the Renowned Joan of Arch when France had stooped to English Valour, and all its courage drooped to a degree even of dispaire, this War­like Maid by her courage and conduct put such Spirit and Life into the Fee­ble hearted French, that fatal to the English, soon after they stripped them out of almost all the Towns they held in that florishing Kingdom. Nor can the World continue without this Sex, were not these Virtues found in them, but soon would droop in to [Page]a solitary Desart; of this, Rome's Founders were not Ignorant, when at the hazzard of a doubtful War, they seized on the Sabean Maids who came to view their Sports, nor were they though Ravished at such a rate, con­trary doubtless to their Inclinations, when they found themselves united in Conjugal bands, regardless of their Ravishers, but out of good Nature forgetting the injury: Although their Fathers intending a rescue, and had taken the Capitol, maintaining a bloody Fight, even in Romes Market­place, they with dissheveld hair and crys, rushed between the dreadful fronts of War, exposing themselves to a Thousand dangers; nor would retire till they had put an end to that disastrous conflict between their Husbands, and their Fathers, which so far moved the hearts of the Latter to relent, that without more adoe Concord and firm Peace ensued. Those Arms that Erst were bathed in each others Blood, with all reci­procal Love embrace and mortal ha­tred is dslodged from eithers breast, [Page]which noble Act of these Heroick and adventrous Females, made Romu­lus Romes Founder, cause their names to be Enroled. Enacting by a Joynt consent, that Women should be ex­empted from all Servile Employments, and that there should be no such thing as Property between Husband and Wife, but that all things should be common.

When Brutus heading the Romans, upon the Ravishment of Luc retia, had expelled Tarquin and his Race, the Volsci takeing the opportunity of such a rupture. Advanced with an Army towards Rome which for a time filled the City with Fear and amazement, that had not the Noble Matrons by their Conrage and Conduct, Inspi­red as it were the hearts of the drooping Souldiers, that afterward Mistress of the World, had become a prey to the Enemy; whose retreat when within five miles of the Walls, was solely attributed to the courage of a Female Worthy. Whereupon a famous Temple was dedicated to Fe­male Fortune, and many notable Marks [Page]conferred upon them by the Senate: as takeing the upper hand of the Men, wearing of Purple, Gold, Fringe, Jewels, &c. and by the Laws of lat­ter Emperors, Weomen were enabled to Succeed in the right of Inheritance. And that Sacred right of Ecomiastick Orations at their Funerals: and it was Provided in an Act Prohibiting the Sumpteousness of Apparrel, that the Women should be exempted and left at their Liberty.

When Cammillius had made a Vow to Appollo and all the Roman Treasures could not furnish him with the Sum, the generous Matrons of Rome for the Honour of their Countrey, brought in their Rings, Bracelets, and other Ornaments of Gold.

Cyrus Warring with Astiages, his Grandfather being overthrown in a great Battle, had that Battle restored him by a reinforcement of Persian La­dyes, nor is it unusuall for those He­roick Dames to go with their Hus­bands to the Wars, and often sighting coragiously by their sides, for which noble Act, Cyrus as a token of his [Page]Gratitude left it is a Law, that when any King of Persia entered the Regal City they should bestow on each Wo­man a Medall as a remembrance of that Noble Action.

Justinian the Renowned Emperour finding the pregnant Wit and gener­ous Spirit of his Empress to excell, consulted her in the compilement of those excellent Institutes, which all succeeding Generations have held in admiration, and many Kingdoms ta­ken their Mold from them; nor did the famous Law-giver Licurgus, less esteem the Wisdome of the Female Sex, ordering them an equal share in all honest Pastimes and Recreations. The Divine Plato was no less sedulous in promoting the esteem of Women, as having studied their Worth and Ex­cellency; nor were our Countrey wo­men less Valiant in withstanding the Comquest of the Romans, nor less Ser­viceable to the Bleeding Land in be­ing a means to Extirpate or Expell the Danes, which occasioned this Com­ment.

When England bleeding lay to gasp her last:
When powerful Foes had grasp'd her Scepter fast:
When Men stood mute with Grief and Fear struck Dumb,
The Bloody Foe by Women was o're­come:
Who each in Darkness with a Fata [...] Blade,
An Expiation to lost Honour made;
So rashly Ravish'd & dispising Charms
Earch gave her Ravisher a Death lock' [...] in her Arms;
And by those strokes, which some wou' [...] cruel call,
They sav'd their Countrey ready then to fall.
And let the World perceive it was no [...] they
Who gave their honour, but 'twas forc' [...] away:
So fall each Ravisher, who dare pro­phane
This noble Sex, with such a Lawles [...] staine.

These things considered, who that proceeded from a Woman, can but admire and esteem the Sex, whose tender care to their off-spring is such, that no wakeful vigilance, no care, pain or danger is thought too much; may, even Death it self has not in such a case been shunned, but rather court­ed in it's dreadful shape, in ventering on Swords, and rushing through the flames to save their Darlings from untimely Fate, or perish with them: nor for their Husbands have their care been less, as many examples of such boundless Love and dear Affection can testifie; wherefore seeing Man owes half his Life to Woman, what less returns for such a Care and tender Affection can he make then all his Love that Heaven permits him to place upon Earthly things? And those that do otherwise where it is lawfull degenerate from the Nobleness of the first created Rational, and therein disobey their Maker, whose Abso­lute Command it is. And with the entirest Integrity having carried my discourse on this worthy Subject [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page]thus far in General. I shall now proceed to what is more Particular and Ex­empler in the Praise of Women-kind, though as I have said, all their Vir­tues in this nature to describe, will prove too large a Theam.

For who but one with Eagles Eyes can Gaze,
Against the Sun in it's Meridian Blaze.
Or without Solomons large Heart can know,
All from the Ceder to the Shrub below.
Or name each fair Enamel, that does spread,
Earth's lovely bosom, when the winters fled.
What Marriner can count the waves that rise?
Or Artist tell the wanderers of the Skies,
Who is the Man can count the flying Clouds,
Or tell she Fry the swelling Ocian Shrowds?
[Page]
Who in Arithmatick a Number can,
Find for the Moments past since time began?
Or in an age count out by swift De­grees,
The countless Sands forsaken by the Seas?
Hard tasks these are for mortal Man to do.
Yet full as easy as at once to view.
Each glorious Cabinet where Virtue rests.
To look into each worthy Female Breast.
To count the Sacred Treasure horded there.
And tell the World of each peculiar share.
Layd up to Purchase an Imortal Name.
Recorded in the deathless Book of Fame.
To Purchase Robes of White to pass the Gate.
Where for them Virtues, true Reward does wait.
[Page]
Though it on Earth should hiss it's great desert.
Yet there it will be sure to find it's part.
For in that Region is it's proper Seat,
There Virtue and not Riches makes us great.
Crowns us with Life, and an Im­mortal State.

The Illustrious HISTORY OF WOMEN, &c.

Of Chast-Love.

TO come nearer to my pur­pose, for the bester ease and understanding of the Rea­der, I shall proceed in a Regular way on Method, placing together as near as is convenient, the memorable Ex­amples of one kind, as I find them in divers Histories highly approved by the Learned of the present and past Ages. And in this Case Chast-Love being the Center and Basis of all o­ther Virtues, I shall begin with that perfection of Woman-kind.

Eurialus Count of Augusta being at Sienna with the Emperour Sigismond Lucretia a Beautiful Virgin, called by some the second Venus, upon his Mo­dest Address conceived such Entire Affection for him, that at his necessita­ted leaving her to attend his Lord, the Emperour to Rome, his Absence wrought so much upon her tender Spirits, that having strugled a while with the flame of a constant passion; she no longer able to indure the Absence of one on whom she had be­stowed her Heart, yielded up her self into the Icey Aims of Death, calling on her Lover, and with dying mur­murs, beg'd a Blessing might ever re­main upon him: of which sad mis­fortune Eurialus having notice, took it so much to heart, that in his Life­time he never was observed to Laugh or Smile. Marcel. Donat. Hist. Med. Mirab.

Theodora a Christian Virgin, for that Sacred Profession being Condemn­ed to the Stews, where her chastity was to be expos'd to the violation of the worst of Villains: Dydimus who En­tirely [Page 3]loved her; whilst the Debauchees were striving to enter, there pressed in in a Souldiers habit, a Person pretending to have the first knowledge of that Beautious Maid, but being Retired, he changed Habit with her, by which means she was enabled to escape; but he, upon others pressing in, being found a man, was halled before the Judg, who had shamelessly Condem­ned Theodora to loose her Virginity, who immediately Sentanc'd him to Death; of which she having notice, came from her Retirement, and offer­ed her life a Ransom for his; but such Transcendent-love nothing moved the Inexorable Judge, who instead of ac­cepting the offer, commanded they should both be immediately put to Death; which command being obey­ed, their Souls took flight to the bright Mansion of Eternal Love. Lonicer. Theatri.

The Story related of the wonder­ful love of Piramus and Thisbe is me­morable; nor is it held in the general Fabulous, though Ovid has glozed up­on it; the substance being this: The [Page 4]Beautious Pair living as Neighbours in B [...]bylon, when grown to maturity, found themselves surpriz'd with a generous flame, love had made a mighty conquest o're their hearts; their M [...]tu [...] affections could not be so closely hid, but Parents of a different mind, in whom Age had quench'd the fire of passion, came to know the case wherein they stood, and cru [...]ly proceeded to divorce their Joys by seperation; but mighty love, that like the Victorious [...]alm, laden with ponderous Weights, under re­straint ancreases, found an unsuspect­ed way to Whisper through a Cran­ny, and by that means to set a time for slight, when the Moon had thrown her Silver Mantle over the Shadie Night. The place being appointed, Thisbe ravish'd with eager Joys, to have her Lover in her Arms, first made Escape; but there, instead of Pyra­nats she found a Lyoness besmeer'd with blood, which made her hasten to a Neighbouring Cave, whilst in her slight she drop'd her Veile, which the Lyoness finding, rumpled it with her [Page 5]Bloody Jaws, and went her way; Py­ramus soon after coming, and finding the Veile he knew to be hers all smeer'd with Blood, and the Footsteps of a wild Beast, supposed her devour'd, and after many doleful lamentations, Exclaiming against himself, for expo­sing to such hazard, a thing he prized so dear, resolving not to live without her, he sell upon his Sword; when Thisbe dispensing with her fear, came to the place and found him Breathing out his last, having no more Sense than at her Name to open his dying Eyes and see his dear mistake, which was not long e're closing again he was left in the black Mist of Death; when having expressed her self with the disordered passion of a distracted lo­ver, scorning a tedious life, when he for whom she liv'd was gone, she bared her Snowey Breast, and with un­daunted Courage fell upon the self­same Sword. O [...]ids Met, &c.

Less Famous than this is not, the admirable love of the Beautious Hero to the Greecian Youth Leander, whose memorable loves famed the threatning [Page 6]Towers of Sestos and Abidos, in the former the Noble Virgin dwelt, and from the latter, parted by the Helle­spont, the adventerous Youth often Swam to visit her, she being his Load-Star to stear his Course in the darkest Night, by placing a light in the high­est Turret; but after often adventring with success, Fate crossing Love, in raising a Tempest whilst he was la­bouring in the Ocean, the undistin­guishing Waves put a period to his life, and then unkindly, cast his life­less Corps upon the shoar, where he with such Eagerness wish'd to come alive; at sight of which, the Lady being over-come with Grief, leap­ed headlong from the Tower, and plunging into the Remorsless Deep, became partaker of her Lovers Fate.

The Beautious Daughter of the Emperour Charlemain, falling in love with Eginardus, Secretary to that Emperour, nor was the flame he felt less violent: he one Night coming in private to her Chamber, it hap­pened to Snow; which accident, by [Page 7]reason it was somewhat late, did not a little trouble the Lovers, least upon his return, the prints of his Feet should be observed the next Morning, which coming from the Ladies ap­partment, might create a suspition; to prevent which, love which takes the Diadem of Majesty from Queens, made this lovely Princess, do an Act for a Lover, very unbeseeming and unusual for the Daughter of so great a Potentate, viz. She took the Secre­tary upon her Shoulders and carried him all the length of the Court to his Chamber, he not setting Foot to the Ground, and there delivering her burthen returned: yet so it happen'd, that during this piece of Portrage, the Emperour being late in his Studie, chanc'd to look out and behold it, yet at that time kept silence: when the next day, in a great Assembly of his Lords, his Daughter and Eginardus being present, he demanded what Punishment he deserved, who made use of a Kings Daughter; as of a Mule, and caused himself to be carri­ed on her Shoulders in the middest of [Page 8]Winter through the Snow; upon this every one gave his opinion, that he was worthy of Death; which started the Lovers and made them change their colour, expecting some dreadful punishment; but contrary to their expectation, the Emperour, looking upon his Secretary with a smooth Countenance, Eginardus (saith he) hadest thou loved the Princess, my Daugh­ter, thou oughtest to have come to her Father, the disposer of her liberty; thou art worthy of Death, yet I give thee two lives; Tale thy sair Portress in Marri­age; fear God, and love one another. The Joy these lovers conceived, at so unexpected a happiness, I leave to the Imagination of the Reader. Caus. [...] Court. Tom. 2.

The Moorish Princess Xexin Daugh­ter of Muley Moluck, King of Fes and Moro [...]o, upon the Fame of Don Sebastian King of Portugal though an [...], who came to Invade her Fa­thers Countrey conceived so great a love for him, that when his Army was overthrown on the plains of Tamista near. Alcazar and himself slain She [Page 9]came e're the day dawn'd accompa­nied with one slave named Laura; to seek him amongst the heaps of the dead, when entring that miserable Scene of Slaughter She Inquired of some wounded men that were yet breathing, where the King Fought, and with many abrupt stammerings being informed by those dying wretch­es, She hasted thither resolving to Sacrifice her Life, and fall upon him, when comming to the heap of [...]lain She espyed one extreamly resem­bling her Lover, for She had seen the King of Portugal often, and there­upon with great cries She embraced and moved him, but being about to offer violence to her self; She found the supposed dead Man to breath, and after some rubbing and chafeing he came to himself. So that binding up his wounds, She and her Slave with the help of a Matriner conveighed him into a little [...]land in the River Mu [...]azen, and [...]ere provided all things for him, verily supposing him the King of Portugal, for indeed Na­ture had made this Subject (for so he [Page 10]proved, and not the King of Portugal) so like his Prince that the Portugals themselves were deceived, as will ap­pear. This Man thus snatch'd from death, being continually attended by the Princes, who infinitly doated on him, and used him like a vallued Lo­ver, began to wonder from whence the cause of such mighty Kindness should spring, when one day after a Sigh She said, Heaven will not deprive Portugal of it's King, but has made your Xerine Happy in saving her dear Don Saebastians Life, by this Speech he found the Princes Error yet thought it not convenient to undeceive her but rather to promote it, and so by insinu­ation he came to understand who She was, as likewise her Love to the King of Portugal, and so far he prvailed upon that Princes; that She thought nothing too dear for him, but used her Interest with Muley Boabdelin a Moorish Prince and her Conzen, to Entertain him in his Pallace at Hos­core till such time as She could furnish him with a train suitable for a King (as She supposed him to be) to [Page 11]return to his own Countrey.

This old Moorish Prince, verily be­lieved him to be as his Conzen had reported and Imagining if he got in­to Portugal he would not regard the Vows he had made to Marry her; caused them to be Married out of hand, she in consideration thereof promis­ing to become a Christian which She afterwards performed; being a Lady exceeding beautifull as Born of a Greek Mother, and consequently much whit­er than the Affricans, and soon after provided him an Equipage to go for Portugal, to which Crown Henry who succeded Saebastian being dead many said claym, but at length it was grasped by the King of Spain, who proved the stronger, wherefore he first arrived in Italy, and was recei­ved by the Dutchess of Parma who as the former verily believed him to be the true Saebastian; as likewise did some Ministers sent from the Estates of Portugal which made him in the end [...]magine himself to be no less, for be­ [...]ng denied possession of that Kingdom [...]e drew a great power after him, but [Page 12]being defeated on the Frontiers of Portugal, and taken Prisoner, after which being brought to Lisbon, and Imprisoned as an Imposter; at what time Xerine was come out of Afric [...] to assist him, in the recovery (as She thought of his right) She having by this time had a Son by him, but thi [...] Misfortune did not at all alter th [...] Love of the Princess; who earnestly laboured for his deliverance: often visiting him in Prison where falling sick and at the point of Death, he declared how he had deceived her, an [...] that he was [...] the King of Portugal [...] yet for all that her Love abated not but She in the best wise comforted him. Afflict not your self (said th [...] Generous Princess) with too late and unuseful Repentance I lov'd the Perso [...] of Don Sebastian, more then the splen­dor of his condition; I thought I had me [...] that Person in you. Those Charms which first touch'd me, have lost none of thei [...] priviledg, because they were not place [...] [...] Monarch, though I confess I shoul [...] never have observed them in an Ordinar [...] Mam, Neither my Spirit nor my Birth [...] [Page 13]would have permitted me to consider whom [...] had not thought a Prince, but my error became dear to me, and is so still, not­withstanding it proves fatal to my peace. The name of Husband is so Sacred to a Woman truly Virtuous, that it obli [...]e­rates any shame which accompanyes it: Therefore try to overcome your Ilness my dear Prince▪ (pardon the name) For­ [...]ne, (said She lifting up her Eyes [...]o Heaven), might have given it [...] She gave you me. Rescue your self [...]f it be possible, from the arms of [...], [...]t may be we may find you a happyness, more calm and happy than that which is [...]enyed you in Portugal. With this ex­ [...]oss of Female Generosity the counter­ [...]eit Sebastian was so mov'd that he [...]ould no longer suffer the Transports [...]f it, but in the Armes of the Passio­ [...]ate Xerine expir'd whose Soul with [...]uch difficulty staved behind, loving [...]im even as her Life, who had injur'd [...]er with so great a deceit: Sir, J. B. [...] Rocoles of Impostors.

Ho [...] Wife of Be [...]xamut, a Vali­ [...]nt Captain of the Alarbes had so [...]reat affection for her Husband, that [Page 14]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 [Page 15]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 [...]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 [Page 16]his [...]ight to Pompy's Son in Sicily; not­withstanding the strict [...] set upon her, found means to escape in disguise, not weighing the danger o [...] 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 Troops [...] 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 [Page 17]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, [Page 18]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 Ʋsan 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 [Page 19]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 [Page 20]take his Daughter; which if he did he promis'd to make him his He [...]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 S [...] (said she to her Husband) I see you ar [...] much hindred in a brave way, if it on [...] rest in your wife, that you be not grea [...] and happy; I freely deprive my self of all yea of your Company, which is more pre­cious to me than all the Empires of t [...] World, rather then prejudice your Fo [...] ­tane, for know I love you better tha [...] my life. And so saying, out of a ten­der compassion, to the preservatio [...] of him she lov'd so dear, she c [...] off her Hair; and enter'd into a Mo­nastery, spending the rest of her day in Piety and Divotion. Caus. H. C [...] in treat of passions.

Turning the Torrent of her Earth [...] love,
To a mere lasting Sence of Joys abov [...]

Arria, the Wife of Cecinna 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 [Page 23]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 [Page 24]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 [...] [Page 25]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 [Page 27]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,
[Page 28]
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 'twas 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;
But when for their Embarquement they prepar'd
The Storm grew loud, each tender Mother run,
And in her arms, Infolds her weep­ing Son.
Bathing his Cheecks, in tears to add a Store,
To those that trick [...]'d from his Eys before.
[Page 29]
But finding that the hard Decree was past,
And that this fare wel seem'd to be their last.
When from their arms their Darling [...] dears were forst,
And they from them by swelling waves Divorst.
Impatient to out-live so great a loss,
Such a heart breaking, such a wound­ing Cross.
They plung'd themselves into the rowl­ing deep.
And vainly strove to reach the flying Ship.
In which their Treasure was but that forbid,
By Neptune was, and they In's waves were hid.

Of Chastity.

And thus much for extraordinary Passion from which I shall proceed to Examples of wonderful Chastity, the brightest Jewel that Adorns the No­ble Sex.

As Bards of old Enobl'd for their Verse,
Victorious actions did alowd rehearse,
[Page 30]
The conquest of great Nations, and the praise
Of those, whose Valour truly claim'd the Bays.
So tell we now of Triumphs greater far,
Than e're atchived were by'th God of War,
Or cou'd be boasted by that Thun­derer.
A glorious conquest over Lawless love
Triumphs, that all the Chaster World approve,
So in their Spher's, the Blessed An­gels move,
Ʋnvalu'd Chastity, Womans chief grace.
Next Lawful Passion we think fit to place.

And in this kind the Female Sex excell, many of them prefering their Honour to life, or all the glittering Glories of the Universe; no prospect of Earthly happiness has been suffici­ent to Charm it from them, as will appear.

Celdrana, a Maid of Alexandria, being Endowed with admirable Beau­ty, which occasion'd a Troop of Lo­vers, as it were to Beseige her; each desirous of enjoying so fair a Trea­sure, offering what might content a large Ambition, but in vain; for such were the Chast resolves of the renown­ed Virgin, that the largest proffers could make no impression on her mind; but perceiving her self continually pressed by her importunate admirers, to shun their importunity, she private­ly withdrew, and leaving them con­founded in their loves for want of the bright Idea they ador'd, she hid her self in a solitary Cell surrounded with a multitude of Graves, where after a tedious search being sound, to the exceeding Joy of those that sought her; when asked the meaning why she chose a place so doleful, her re­ply was, Thesaurum Chastitatis Servo Inter Arentes Calvarias Ʋnde Nula Flamma Eurumpit.

Amongst the Dead my Chastiti's se­cure,
There I preserve it in it's self most pure,
No sparks of lust the drowsie Graves immure.
Caus. H. C. part 1. l. 3.

Brasola of Diracchium, an Illustrious Maid, seiz'd by a Souldier, who was about to commit violence on that Jew­el that she mostly priz'd, told him that if he would spare her in that case, she in recompence would reveal to him a Secret more valuable than Gold, such a one, as would render him Victorious and Safe on all occasi­ons, by making him Invulnerable: the Souldier believes, flattering him­self, that after he had obtained this Benifit, she would be as much at his mercy as before; when leading him into a most delightful Garden, and after a tedious search; tasting a Herb, that perhaps he had never seen before, she with a chearful Voice told him it was the mighty Charm that would op­pose [Page 33]the force of Steel, and that he might be assured she did not flatter, bared her Beautious Neck and offered the experiment at the hazard of her life; the Souldier by this being more confirmed, resolutely gave the blow that gave her rest in the wish'd Arms of Death.

Preserving by that means her spotless Fame,
Whilst her rash Foe, who found himself to blame,
Confunded stood, with horror, grief and shame.
Lodov. Vives. Christ. Femin. Istit.

Nor is the Storie related of the virtuous Euphrasia, a Virgin of noble Extraction in Nicephor, Eclez. Hist. unlike to this.

Where that Heroick Maid prefering, Death,
Before the loss of Honour, lost her Breath.

Lucia a lovely Virgin, who for the Excellency of her Beauty was sought by divers, but out of an Extraordina­ry love of Chastity, would not shew the least inclination thereto; which, notwithstanding, so Inflam'd a pow­erful Lord, who had great Command in the City where she lived, that after many Essays, finding she could not be won by Entreaty, he resolved to take her by Force, and in order thereto, sent divers Armed men to surprize her in her Fathers House; who coming to the Gate and finding it shut, threatned to make a general Slaughter, and set all on Fire if she were not delivered; she to prevent the danger that might befall others, knowing the cruel Na­ture of him that had sent for her, came forth and demanded who it was they sought, desiring to know if any thing was in her power that would satisfie their Lord; Yess (said they in a flout­ing manner) your Eyes have Captivated him, he never can hove rest till he has gained them; at which fetching a deep Sigh, she desired to retire, saying, she would satisfie him in that particular; [Page 35]which being ranted, she went to her Chamber, and seeing her self in a straite, that she either must use some extraordinary way, or her unspotted Chastity would be Sacrificed to the Lust of a Man she hated, thus ad­dressing her self to her Glass; she be­gan to utter her sorrow: Ah! my Eyes (said she) are you then guilty, I know the reservedness and simplicity of your Glan­ces, nor have I in that kind any Remorse of Conscience; but howsoever be you, appear to me not Innocent enough, since you have kindled fire in the heart of a Man, whose hatred I ever esteemed more than his love; Quench, Quench, then with your Blood the flame you have raised; whereupon with a hand piously cruel, she forced h [...]r Eye-balls from their bleeding Orbs, and sent them to those who waited for her, to bear them as a cruel pre [...]ent to their Master; upon notice of which, astonished and con­founded within himself, he fled to a Monastery, and there spent the re­mainder of his days. Rad in Virido­ria Caus. H. C. part 1.

Thus she deform'd her self to Gloom confin'd,
To save the lovely Beauty of the Mind.

Acciolin of Padua, in the year 1253, surprizing the City of Bassian; in which City Blanch Ruba fighting for the defence of her People, her Hus­band being before slain, she was taken Disarm'd, and violently drag'd be­fore the Conquerer; who Eyeing her admirable Perfections, with Presents, Entreaties and Threats, for a time en­deavour'd to alure her to Lascivious Embraces; but the noble Matron be­ing rather resolv'd t [...] die, than to yield up her honour to the Murtherer of her Lord, sound means whilst those were careless who had her in charge, to cast her self headlong out of the Gallery wherein she was; by which fall, although she greatly Bruis'd her self, yet by the Care of the Physicians and Chyrurgeons she recover'd, and then was caus'd to be bound Na [...]ed, in a posture, that the Lustful Acciolin not regarding her Cries and Entreaties, [Page 37]forc'd her helpless Chastity. She [...]esiring not to out-live the loss of her [...]onour, though her Friends comforted [...]er in the best manner; saying, she [...]as Guiltless, seeing it was done by Vio­lence, contrary to her Consent. When [...]e better to Accomplish her design, [...]s well as she could, dissembled her [...]rrow, appearing by degrees to dry [...]p the Extraordinary flood of Grief [...]at slow'd from her Beautious Eyes: [...]e desir'd them one day to goe with [...]er to the Monument of her Husband [...] the often Visitation of which is ordi­ [...]ary in many Countreys) being come [...]either, she Entreated them to list up [...]e stone, that she might see how [...]eath and his short continuance there [...]ad alter'd him; which stone o [...] a vast [...]eight, being rais'd on one side and rop'd up, she under pretence of seri­ously viewing those Reliques of [...]ortality, Leaped into the Tomb [...]here her dead Husband lay, pulling way at the same time the stay, which offer'd the stone to fall with such [...]rce, that her Head being mortally [...]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 Pl [...]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 [Page 39]on the murthering Ravisher, they [...]ook him, and his two Sons, whom [...]hey delivered into the hands of the [...]xecutioner. Beard Theatre.

So loud to Heaven for Vengance was the cry,
Of Virgin blood, and Injur'd Cha­stity.

O [...]bright, Deputy or Sub-governour [...] a King of the West Saxans, going [...]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, [...]ith whom he found (dinner ended) [...] oppertunity (under pretence of [...]mmunicating some Secrets, he had [...] charge to her Lord,) to retire [...] to a private place, out of the hear­ [...]g of the Servants, where he re­ [...]al'd his wicked purpose, using many [...]treaties, to oblige her to a com­ [...]acency, but finding she had rather [Page 40]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, cut [...] off their Lips and Noses, at the time when the Danes made progress through [Page 41]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 [Page 42]to mention the Examples of those [...] Holy Writ, many Histories havi [...] the lively Monuments of unwear [...] Divotion, can furnish us: nor ha [...] they refus'd in most Ages, to lay do [...] their lives with chearfulness for t [...] sake of their Redeemer, Triumphi [...] with a Holy Joy in the Circling flam [...] bearing with a constancy and patien [...] almost Inexpressible, all the Torme [...] Witty Horror could invent; nay so [...] have griev'd to be depriv'd of such [...] Glory, and long'd with eager Zeal [...] pass through Tribulation, to the pla [...] where Crowns and Diadems a [...] lay'd up for the perseverer, in faithfu [...] ­ness till Death.

Eulalia, a noble Virgin of Portug [...] dispising all the proffer'd Glories th [...] consist in Transcient things, spent h [...] time and care in heaping up a Treasu [...] for her Soul; Sobriety and Mode [...] were her Attendants, and Discreti [...] Crown'd her Actions; a Zeal and F [...] ­vent Love to her Redeemer made h [...] fearless of danger, knowing his support is all-sufficient; and so continu [...] she, increasing in Grace and Virt [...] [Page 43]when Hell stir'd up it's wicked Engins to oppose the flourishing Gospel, when the Heathens [...]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, [Page 44]from whom she had receiv'd it [...] which resolute persistance in that rig [...] ­teous [...] made him rage to th [...] Excess, that without regard to b [...] Birth, Years or Tender Beauty, [...] commanded the Executioner to dis [...] ­cate her Joynts, and then with Wi [...] Beasts Claws tore off her Flesh, whi [...] she regardless of her pain, was prais [...] God for counting her worthy, [...] After this she was tortur'd with [...] Iron Grate, and had her Virgin Brea [...] Seer'd with flaming Torches, wh [...] fir'd her Hair that had till that [...] cove [...]ed her Modesty; when find [...] her labouring Soul upon the Wi [...] she Breath'd it forth in praise to [...] Maker. Acts and Mon.

Go Pious Maid, may your Exam [...] be,
Prais'd and admir'd to all posterity!
The Palm is hers, nor can she mi [...] Crown,
Who for the sake of Christ her life [...] down;
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No Mixture, Crown of Pearl, of Gold and Cares,
Such as below an Earthly Mo­narch wares,
But a bright Diadem of Beaming Stars.

Agnes, an Honourable young Vir­gin, being accus'd of professing the Christian Religion, and not denying it, when Interogated by the Judge, he threatned her with most Exquisit Tor­ments, unless she would Worship the Gods of the Heathens; but Arm'd with a Christian Faith, she told him, she fear'd no Tortures, as being willing to suffer all manner of Torments, even Death it self, for the sake of him that was able to raise her at the last day: Well said the Judge, though you value not the Pain, yet I doubt not, but you have a great esteem for your Virginity and Chastity, and it is my intent to thrust you into the Stews, if you re­fuse to Sacrifice to our Gods; not­withstanding, she persisted to inveigh against their pretended Deities, using [Page 46]many Arguments to convince the Hea­then of his Error, which made seve­ral wicked Fellows urge him to put the Beautiful Virgin into their possession, that they might use her at their discre­tion, which occasioned her to tell them, that Christ was not forgetful of those that are his, neither would he leave her destitute of his help and assi­stance, but would be always ready to pro­tect and defend Modest and Chast Vir­gins; and thereupon turning to the Judge, she told him, He might freely bath his Sword in her Blood, but should no: defile her Body. She had no sooner utter'd these words, but shameless as he was, he commanded she should be bound stark Naked to a Post at a Cor­ner of a street; whereat the greatest part of the People being sorry and asham'd, to behold an Innocent Vir­gin in the tender Bloom of her Age exposed to such Ignominy: Some turn'd away their Heads, and others hid their Faces as they pass'd by; but one impudent Fellow Scoffing at the helpless Maid and Gazing on her Na­kedness in derision, was blasted with a [Page 47]flash of Lightning, and thereby lost his sight; upon which signal Judg­ment she Sung praise to god for re­membring her in her distress: of which the Judge having notice, order­ed the Executioner to dispatch her; who coming towards her with his drawn Sword, she was nothing daunted, but on the contrary greatly rejoyc'd, saying, O this is he that I love and fain would meet, and not longer to protract my desire, I will willingly re­ceive his Sword in my Bosome. O Eter­nal God, vouchsafe to open the Gates of Heaven to a Soul that seeketh thee, and then Kneeling down as well as her confinement would permit, she had her Head stricken off; her Soul through that wide Wound [...]inding a passage to Eternal Rest. Celebrate her praises, O ye Virtuous amongst the Nati­ons, and let not such Christian Examples enter into the Gloomy Region of Obliveon. Nor less deserves the Memory of the Virtuous Eugena, Daughter to Philippus, President of Alexandria, who died under the Heathen Persecuti­on, for the Sacred Profession, by most [Page 48]Exquisit Torments, but with a Cou­rage out-facing the Terror of Death. Acts and Mon, &c. A hundred more than these I could name, but having promis'd Brevity, I shall goe on to o­ther Embellishments of the Sex.

And since Fame's Ensigne's thus far born, unfurl'd
Those Virtues, tell that must oblige the World,
Your worthy Names shall next in order stand,
Who from Oblivion with a Giving hand,
Brought Charity the Glory of the Land.

Of Liberality.

In this case I shall Instance but two Examples of Female Liberality, which stand as Monuments of that Sexes Generosity.

The most virtuous Lady, the Lady Mary Ramsey, once Wise to Sr. Tho­mas Ramsey, joyning with him after his Death, Asured in Land 243 pound p. Annum to Christs-Hospital (that ob­ject of Charity and seminary of good [Page 49]Education, to the uses following, viz. To the Schoolmaster of Hempstead Annually twenty pounds, to the Ma­ster and Usher of Christs-Church An­nually twenty pounds, to ten poor Widdows, besides Apparel and Houses Annually twenty pounds, to two Poor, viz. a Man a Woman during life, to each fifty-three Shillings and four Pence, to two Fellows in Peter House in Cambridg, and four Scholers yearly forty pounds, to St. Bartholomews Hospital ten pounds, to St. Peters, the Poor in London, St. Andrews Ʋndershaft, St. Mary Wolnoth ten pounds, to New­ga [...]e, Ludghte, the Compters, ten pounds, to Christs Hospital, after the Expiration of certain Leases there will come p. Annum, one hundred and twenty pounds, to six Scholars in Oxford twenty pounds, to six Scholars in Cambridge twenty pounds, to ten Maimed Soldiers twenty pounds, for two Sermons two pounds, to the Poor of Christ-Church Parish fifty Shillings, to the Poor of the Company of Dra­pers yearly ten pounds, ten Poor Wo­mens Gouns, ten Poor Soldiers Coats, [Page 50]Shoos and Caps. All these to continue Annually. Willets Synops. Papis. p. 1229.

Mrs. Alice Owen founded an Hospital and Free-School at Islington, gave to the Ʋniversity Library at Oxford two hundred pounds, Founded one Fellow-Ship and Scholar-Ship in Emanuel Coledg, to Christs Hospital sixty pounds, to give twelve Pence Weekly to the Poor of Islington sixty pounds, thirteen Shillings and four Pence she gave to Beautifie the Cloisters in Christs Hospital, to a School-house at Edmon­ton twenty pounds, to the Parish of Condover in Shrop-shire fifty pounds to buy a great Bell, the Building of Alms-houses for ten poor Women, and the purchasing the Lands lay'd to it, cost her one thousand four hundred and fifteen pounds, and the Building the Schools there three hundred sixty one pounds; she gave likewise certain An­nual Sums of Moneys to Preachers not Benificed, and to the Prisons in her life time, by her last Will twenty pounds yearly to Islington School, to Preachers thirty five pounds, to the [Page 51]Parish of Basishaw twenty pounds, to the Prisons eight pound, to the Com­pany of Brewers in Linnen, Plate and Money one hundred pounds, the Sum Total of the Money, not reconing the Annuity of twenty two pounds, Amounts to about two thousand three hundred and twenty pounds; a Chari­ty Extraordinary in a private Gentle­woman; yet this she did out of Chri­stian Zeal, to promote Learning and relieve the Poor, though at her Death she had twenty two Children, and Childrens Children, for all which she plentifully provided. Willet's Synops. Papisme P. 1240.

These great Examples who'd but imi­tate,
Treasures lay'd up in Heaven's a vast Estate;
A Mine that no profuseness can Ex­haust,
And will repay ten thousand times the cost.

Of Humility.

Nor does Humility shine less bright even to a wonder in the Softer Sex.

Humility the Basts, on which rest
Those Blooming actions that must make us blest;
Great pattern of true worth, which do's subdue
The sternest 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 [Page 53]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 [Page 54]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, [Page 55]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 Fea [...] 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 [Page 56]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 highes [...] 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 [Page 57]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 [Page 59]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, by Scipio the Roman Consul, yielded her self up to Massi­nissa an African Prince and Confede­rate [Page 60]of the Romans, Entreating him that she might not be put into the power of the Roman Senate; he pro­mis'd to be her Protecter, and in con­sideration fo her amazing Beauty, Marri'd her, having been contracted to her before her Marriage with Sy­phax; but it coming to the Ears of Scipio, he let him understand that the Romans had a Title to her Head, and that she was a mischievous Enemy to the People of Rome, and therefore requir'd him not to commit a great offence upon little reason. The King confounded within himself at this news, Blush'd and Wept for a time; but in sine, promis'd to be Govern'd by Scipio, he went to his Royal Pavil­lion, where having given his sorrow vent, he call'd a trusty Servant, and by his hand sent a Cup of Poison to his Beloved Sophonisba, with these Ex­pressions, viz. That gladly he would have had her to live with him as his Wife, but since they who had power to hinder him of his desire, would not yield there­to, he had sent her a Cup that sho [...]ld prevent her falling into their hands alive, [Page 61]willing her to remember her Birth and high Estate, which would direct her to take Orders for her self. At the Re­ceipt of the Message and Potion of Death, the Couragious Queen nothing daunted, reply'd, That if her Husband had no better Present for his new Wife, she must accept of this, Adding, she might have died more honourable if she had not Wedded so late before her Fune­ral, and thereupon drunk off the dead­ly Potion that bereav'd her of her life. Reighs Hist. World.

Great thoughts long strugl'd in her Roy­al Breast,
Till fear of Bondage, fear of Death surprest,
And that her Birth and Nobleness might be
An argument, she scorn'd Captivitie,
That she could die, she let the Romans see.

And to say somewhat further much to the same purpose, a Christian Ma­tron falling in Travel in Prison, where she was confin'd by the Persecutors, [Page 62]upon the Account of her Religion, Express'd some sence of Sorrow; which being over-hear'd by her Enemies, they demanded if in that case she was so sensible, what would she be when she came to the flames? Ah! (said she) I suffer this as a miserable woman, under those sorrows that are lay'd upon me for my sins; but then I shall suffer a [...] a Christian for the sake of Christ. Camer. Oper. Subsisiv. &c.

So different is the cause of Pain os [...] found,
That what some think the most, the least do's wound.

Of Modesty.

Nor is the Wonderous, though be­coming and seemly Modesty, where­with some are possess'd, a less Adorn­ment than what has been premis'd.

A Virtuous Modesty do's Beauty grace
And make the Charms more lovely i [...] each Face;
It makes the Roses with the Lillies joyn,
The sweet Carnation with the Gessa­mine:
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Nay further yet, it do's a Factor prove,
To barter hearts and trade in chastest love:
Nothing more winns, there's nothing sooner can
Than Female Modesty, alure Fond Man.

And this Sex exceeds not only in Action, but in Speech and Guesture: [...]ome having chosen rather to under­ [...]oe severe Punishments, than to do, [...]r be Concious of any Immodest Acti­ [...]n.

Martia Daughter of Varo, one of [...]e bravest Female Wits of her time [...]eing skill'd in divers Arts, but more [...]urious in that Excellent one of Limn­ [...]g to the life; yet no entreaty or re­ [...]ard could prevail with her to por­ [...]ay or paint the Counterfait of a Man [...]r Woman Naked, least thereby she [...]ould offend against the Rules of Mo­ [...]sty; so concious was she, though [...] a thing most Innocent in its self, [...]ast in should meet with a wrong con­ [...]ruction, or she therein give a bad [Page 64]Example to others. Caus. Treat [...] Passion.

Nor only in Life, but as we ma [...] say, in Death it self has this R [...] been observ'd, as appears by the M [...] ­ther of Alexander the great, nam [...] Olimpias: For Cassander having co [...] ­manded her to be slain, as soon as t [...] Executioner sent to dispatch her h [...] inform'd her of his Message, she to [...] especial care so to wrap up her self [...] her Robes, that when she should fa [...] no part of her Body should be dis [...] ­ver'd, but what might beseem a M [...] ­dest Matron. And in the like man [...] ­died the Wife of Pantheus, wh [...] doom'd to Death by Ptolomeus King Aegypt. Fulgos. l. 4.

Mand [...]slo in his Travels tells us [...] a Young Gentlewoman in Japan, w [...] by accident breaking Wind as she a [...] tended at the Table, was posses [...] with such a sence of Shame, that i [...] ­mediately hiding her Face, she depa [...] ­ed, and so far resented that Indecen [...] she as altogether undesirous to surv [...] it, in a Rage bit off one of her Nip [...] which inflaming her Breast, stru [...] [Page 65]her to the heart with a mortal Pain, [...]nd so ended she her days. Mandelo's Travels, L. 2. P. 190.

And yet stranger are the effects of Modesty, as it appears in the story of [...]he Milesian Virgins, who out of some [...]d humour, were many of them pos­ [...]ess'd with a desire of laying violent [...]ands on themseves by strangling; [...]nd although they were narrowly [...]atch'd by their Friends, yet some [...]f them found opportunity to effect [...]; which made their Parents attri­ [...]ute it to the Divine displeasure, and [...]ere at a loss which way to appease [...]he offended Deitie: When one of [...]he Sages proposed a Remedy, which [...]t first was suppos'd Indesicient, but [...]rov'd an Expedient to prevent that [...]isorder; which was, That every Ma [...]d who so Violated her life, should [...] a spectakle of Derision, be carry'd Na­ [...]d through the Principal City; which [...]eing confirm'd by a Decree, the [...]ear of the shame after Death wrought [...] effectually, that for the future they [...]esisted from that unadvis'd and un­ [...]mely Expulsion of Life, Modesty in [Page 66]that case having a greater sway with them than the fear of Death. Caus. H. C. Tom. 1. L. 2.

Aluilda, the Beautiful Daughter of Suiardus a King of the Goths, was possess'd with such Bashfulness, that for the most part she Veild her Face as not being willing to expose her Mo­dest Blushes, which commonly flulsh'd in her fair Cheeks, at the sight of Man. Olaus. Mag. L. 5. C. 18.

So much the sence of Modesty ha [...] wrought,
That it has Wonders to Perfectio [...] brought;
A spark it is of Native Innocence,
Dwelt with our Parents e're they gav [...] offence,
E're shameless sin in Eden did com­mence.

Of Temperance.

For Temperance this Sex has been wonderfully Esteem'd in all Nations as the Enemy of Luxury, which is one main reason why they are generally more Healthful than Men; and exceed them in the Prologation of their lives, [Page 67]affecting in all things a Modest Neatness and Decency, Order and Comliness being their proper Attribute.

Nature in this Expresses them refin'd,
In choicest Molds she casts fair Wo­man-kind.

As for the powerful effests of their Charming Beauty, they are so Univer­sally known, especially to Lovers, that in vain it would be to Endeavour a fuller satisfaction; than each Idea of hose Angelick Creatures forms in the Fancy of him by whom she is admir'd; but seeing Fame has been Lavish in spreading o're the Universe, the Amazing perfections of her, whose Rape Troy Mourn'd in Tears of Blood, and in whose hard recovery the Flow­er of Greece was lost. Nor less is my intent to tell of Aegypts far fam'd Queen, whose matchless Beauty Cap­tivated him, to whom great Rome and all the World bended low.

The first of the above nam'd Beau­ties was Daughter to Ledea, snatch'd from her Mothers Arms almost in [Page 68]her Infancy, by the War-like Theseus, then the Glory of the Grecian Provin­ces, but afterward restor'd a spotless Virgin, and Marri'd to the renown'd Menelaus, King of Sparta, who lea­ving after the first delights, so great a Treasure under slender Gaurds, she was sorpriz'd by Paris Son of Priam, and in an unhappy hour covey'd to Troy, a Famous City in the Lesse [...] Asia, but for that Rape raz'd by the enrag'd Grecians.

This Lady was of Complection fair her Skin soft as the down of Swan [...] Enrich'd with charming whitness, the Round of her Face, inclining to a per­fect Oval, her Eyes black, and not the largest size, possess'd all that could b [...] desir'd in Loveliness, quick they wer [...] with Mildness, and so full of Love, tha [...] with a single Glance they darted into the coldest breast all the flame tha [...] sparkled in themselves. Her Mouth no [...] way inferiour to her Eyes, was small and shut with Lips that bore the pur [...] Virmillion; in it's natural frame i [...] presented an Object not to be para­lel'd for Beauty, and when it open [Page 69]either in speech or seemly laughter, it not only exposed rows of Ivory, out­vieing Orient Pearls, but afforded thosands of new Charms, her Hair like curling Amber dangled on her Snowy Shoulders, her Hands and Arms were long and final, white as polish'd Ivory, or the curious Alablaster, yet more taking by the Azar streams that wantonly Meandr'd through their tempting softness, in her fair Cheeks, Roses and Lillies strove for Mastery, and in sine, Fame will have her such a lovely Frame, so perfect in each part, that 'tis no wonder if Love, to which no Law at all times can set bounds, conquering the reason of the Trojan Prince, made him at any hazzard co­vet such a Treasure.

A Treasure, had it been a lawful Prize,
Which might have made his Towring fancy rise,
Above the Soar of other Earthly Joys.

As for the Beautious Cleopatra, she was Daughter of Ptolomeus Auletes, [Page 70]King of Aegypt, and after the death of her Father, and Brother Ptolomeus, Cajus Julius Caesar, for the Love he bore her, made her Queen of Aegypt; her Magnificence and Excellent Beau­ty, being thus described by T. May, in his Second Book of Continuation, Anexed to Lucan's Pharsalia, where relating the entertainment she made to Caesar, he thus begins.

Great Cleopatra, Mistress of the State,
To give the Conquering Author of her Fate,
High Entertainment, to his Eye dis­play's.
Th' Aegyptian Wealth, in such Luxu­rious ways,
As might Excuse even Rome and make the Riot
Of her degenerate Senate seem the Diet.
Which th' Antient Curii and Camil­lus us'd,
Not what her Asian Vistories Infus'd.
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The Gorgeous Pallace with such Luster shown
As wealthy Kingdoms near their ruin grown.
Ʋs'd to express, which shew the present crimes,
And speak the Fortune of precedent times.
But Caesars Eyes in all that wealthy store,
Which he so lately had beheld before
No pleasure find, nor with delight viewes he
The Golden Roofs, nor precious Imag'rie.
Rich Eben Pillars, Boards of Citron-Wood,
Which on their carved Ivory Tressels stood.
Nor curious Hangings do his Eyes admire,
For Cleopatra's Beauty and Attire,
Did quite Eclipse those Objects, and out shone,
All other splendors, on her looks alone
[Page 72]
His Eyes are ffx'd, which though be­held before,
The more he views, do Ravish him the more.
All other Objects loose at second sight.
But Womans Beuaty breeds the more delight
The ofter seen; he views that Snowy neck,
Those Golden tressels, which no Gems can deck.
The Wealth she wore about her seem'd to hide,
Not to adorn her native Beauties Pride.
Though their bright Pearls from the Erithrnean Shores,
From all th' Assirian Lakes, the wealthy Stores
Of Silver, Ganges, and Hydaspes shone,
From Aegypt's Eastern Isles, the Gold green stone,
And chearful Emralds gather'd from the Green
Arabian Rocks, were in full splendor seen.
[Page 73]
Pale Onyx, Jasper, of a Various die,
And Diemonds darken'd by her bright­er Eye.
The Saphires blew, by her more Azure Veins,
Hung not to boast, but to confess their stains.
And blushing Rubies seem'd to loose their Dye,
When her more Rubie Lips were move­ing by.
It seem'd (so well became her what she wore)
She had not rob'd at all the Creatures Store.
But had been Natur's self there to have show'd,
What she on Creatures cou'd or had bestow'd.

Of Learning.

But not to proceed further, in a perfection that is so Perspicuous; I shall pass from it, to relate that inter­nal Beauty, which more compleats the adornment of the Mind, and cen­tering in the Soul, delates it self not [Page 74]only to the praise of the possessor, but the benefit of others; and in the first place, insist upon the admirable per­fections Women have attain'd to in Learning.

Tabiola a Roman Matron, wonder­fully desirous to Improve herself in the Knowledge of Sacred things, adicted her self to Learning; and so profited therein, as to gain that esteem amongst the Learn'd which caus'd St. Jerome to dedicate a Book to her Intituled De V [...]ste Sacerdotali Mercela Romana, and was mentioned in divers of his Epistles.

Constantia, the Wife of Alexander Sforza, had improv'd her self in Learn­ing by her Indefatigable Industry, that upon the suddain, and without any Premeditation she was capable suffici­ently to discourse upon any subject, either Theological or Philosophical and was moreover singularly read in the works of St. Jerome, Ambross, Gre­gory, Lactantius and Cicero. In Poe­trie she was admirable, and so fluent that with her Extempory Conceits she attracted the Ears of the Learned, and [Page 75]this Facility of hers is reported to be Innate, as proceeding freely without force or affection. Heywood of W. Nor has the Ingenious Sex been less seen in Phylosophy.

In deep Phylosophy were women Verst,
Through those dark secrets womans Wit­has [...].

As will appear in the Example of Zenobia Queen of the Palmirians, who after the death of Onedatus Govern'd that Kingdom of Syria, Her the Romans took Captive and brought to Rome, but there for her admirable skill in, and knowledge of that Divine Science, she was not only Pardon'd, but alow'd a Pallace upon the Banks of the River Tiber, and was there Re­spected with the same Regard as the Sophies of Persia were wont. Being at any time Invited to hear Publique Orations, she would never appear, but Arm'd with her Shining Helmet on her Head, a purple Mantle flowing on her Shoulders, Button'd with pretious Gems. But above all, she was won­derfully [Page 76]skill'd in the Greek and Ara­bian Tongues; and in the like Learn­ing she instructed Hermolaus and Timo­laus her Sons, and is mention'd by Volaterran as a most accomplish'd Wo­man.

One in whose Wise, in whose Heroick Breast,
Greatness and Learning did together rest.

In Oratory women have been found skilful Proficients, as appears in many Examples.

Amasia a virtuous Roman Lady, be­ing accused of a Crime, and ready to undergo the Sentance of the Pretor, she in the midest of a great confluence of People, step'd up and pleaded her own cause so effectually, and with such Eloquence, that by the publique suf­frage, she was Aquitted of the Asper­sion Layd to her charge, and in that great Affair, used such Decency and Modesty, that she got to her self there­by the Sir-name Androgyne. Val. Max. L. 8.

Hortensia, the Daughter of Queen Hortensius, when the Roman Matrons had a large Fine imposed on them by the Tribuns, and the Lawyers fearful to undertake her cause, she as the Advocate of her Sex, boldly plead­ed it before the Triumuirate, with such chearfulness and success, that the greatest part of that Imposition was remitted.

So that 'tis plain, the greatest use oth' Tongue
Which to the fair Inchanting Sex be­belong,
Is no to Schold, as Black Detractors sung.

Not unaptly are the Muses placed in the Feminine Gender, appropriate­ing to themselves the names of Wo­men, since the Sex has been in past Ages, but more immediately in the present Inspir'd, with raptures of Fan­cy, to a degree of charming the Sen­ces; but before I proceed to particu­lars, it will not be amiss to speak a word on the behalf of Poetry, nor [Page 78]can they be better deliver'd, than in the Language of the Muses.

How e're inspir'd the Soul with Rapture frought,
Has dark confusion into order brought,
Bough Nations strangers to Civility,
Have been reclaim'd by sacred Poetry [...]
Morality has sprung, when it has Til'd
Ith' breast before with Barbarisme fill'd
A power it has to Charm the Testi [...] bold,
Clam restless Thoughts and ruged Na­ture Mold.
Though some may say in Fables 'tis profuse,
Take off the Veile, we Golden Truth produce.
As Diamonds e're they'r Poplish'd loc not bright,
And unlight Tapors dart no Beams [...] light,
Into the devious Darkness of the Night
So Poetry to those, who from it's sphe [...]
Are distant far, do's not it's self appear
'Tis quest by those, as Rusticks guest Star.

But to the purpose, Poets are re­ported to be the first Revivers of Ci­vility and Morality amongst Men ra­ther than the Phylosophers, who at­tribute it to themselves: And further, that Apollo found out the Muses, and brought Mercury acquainted with them; for which good turn Mercury invented the Harp and gave it to Apollo, which in the Moral sence is, that Poetry and Rhetorick goe hand in hand, and that a Poet cannot be Excellent unless he be a good Rhetori­cian, nor a Rhetorician accomplish'd without he be a Poet; though of late the younger Brother has gotten the advantage of the Elder as to tempo­ral preferment.

Great Orators delight on Earth to shine,
Whilst Poets only aime at things Di­vine.

And in the latter as well as the for­mer, Women were famous, as will appear by the following Example.

Minerua, seigned to be the Daugh­ter [Page 80]of Jupiter, for her excellent Fancy in Poetry, was esteem'd by the Anti­ents a Goddess; but most likely, be­ause she was inspir'd as we call it, with Excellent Fancy, and was held in high esteem amongst the Athenians. Fam'd next to her are the Corinna's, of which there are recon'd three, viz. Corinna-Thebana, Daughter to Arche­lodorus, and Procratia Scholar to Myr­tis: She in five several Contentions bore away the Palm from Pindaru [...], Esteem'd the Price of Lyrick Poets, and publish'd five Books of Epigrams, and is mention'd by Propertius. Corin­na Thespia greatly admir'd for her Works, but more especially taken no­tice of by Statius. The third liv'd in the Regn of Augustus, and is much taken notice of by Ovid.

Sappho for her Poetry was Famous, and was as Elianus affirmeth, the Daughter of Scamandronius, as Plato of Aristan, Suidas, and other Greek Writers say there were two of that name, the one call'd P. Erixa, a much Celebrated Poetess, who flourish' in the time of Tarquinius Priscus, and by [Page 81]many is Imagin'd to be the Inventer of Lyrick Verses. The other was call'd Sappho Mitelaena, who publish'd many Poems amongst the Greeks, though somewhat Extravagant, yet for her Ingenuity had the honour to be stil'd the Tenth Muse: and of her Antipater Sidonus thus writes.

When Sappo's Verse she did admiring Rerad,
Demanded whence the Tenth Muse did proceed.

Telesilla had a wonderful Fancy in this kind, whereby she obtain'd the Sir-name Poetria, and was no less ad­mirable for Wisdom, Beauty and Va­lour, being Born of Noble Parents: she in her Youth was adicted to much Indisposition of Body, and therefore Inquir'd of the Oracle concerning Health: Answer was return'd her, that she should apply her self to Study. Nor long was it e're she complying with the advice of the Oracle, but had her Health restor'd, and attain'd to a wonderful perfection in Learning; [Page 82]but especially improv'd to admiration in the Divine Fancy of Poesie, and thereby gain'd such an Esteem, that when Cleomines King of Sparta sel [...] upon the Argives in a Hostil manner, she inspir'd the Argive Women with such Courage, that after their Hus­bands fled and were many of them slain, they renew'd the Battle, her self Leading the Van, Routed the Spartans, and return'd Victorious into the Ci­ty.

To these I may add that Phoenix of Virtue, the Lady Jane Gray, Daugh­ter to the Duke of Suffolk, of whom I have made mention before, though in a different nature. This Lady no [...] exceeding Eighteen years at her death had never the less improv'd her stu­dies to a degree that she was skilful in the Languages, in Phylosophy and Divinity; but above all, Excellent i [...] Divine Poetry, and may be said to be the Epitomie of Perfection.

To these I many more might add, whose worth
Their works (than I) twice livelyer can set forth?
Our age abounds with Female wits, who find
The sacred Muses to their Fancies kind.
With rich conceits their larger hearts are fill'd,
Which rising thence, and in the Brain distill'd,
To all the World Harmonious numbers yield,
In all the taking strains of Poetry,
Cadence or Rapture of the first degree.
A lively Lantskip drawn of Humble Swains,
Feeding their Flocks upon the Flowry Plains;
Through which Meandring Rivers smoothly run,
By shades Imbowring, shelter'd from the Sun;
[Page 84]
In whose warm Beams the frisking Lambs do play,
And then to full stretch'd Ʋdders take their way,
Whilst Rural Musique Charms the fly­ing day.
To these they add the Mirtle Crowned Hills,
Where Golden Ceres all the Valey fills,
Or 'midst the Pride of Gaudy Flora sing,
A joyful Welcome to the Blooming Spring;
When strugling long, she breaks from Winters arms,
And smilling courts the Sun with Vir­gin Charms:
How when he falls in Thetis watry Bed,
She on a Bank of Violets lays her head,
And sighing o're the world, her Tears do's shead
In silver drops, untill Aurora fair
Opens her Gates, and do's restore her Dear:
[Page 85]
Tell how she's lost in Summer, who does Twine
The Blushing Roses with the Gessamine,
To make those pleasing Bowers where Lovers play,
Not penetrated by the Eye of day.
In such a one, if we may Credit fame,
Archise dally'd with the starey Dame:
Or tell of Autums Burthen Rhind with Gold,
Flusht with Vermillion, or in Purple fold;
Whilst 'neath their weight the bur­then'd Branches bend,
And they their Fragrance to Pomania send.
Thus they can Tune their Harps, but slightly strung,
As when Great Maro to Maecenas sung;
But if to higher strains they Tune their Lyre,
Such as are fit for Great Augustus Eare.
A sceen of war and Hero's mighty deeds,
Whilst to the Trumpet dance the bound­ing steeds;
[Page 86]
There lively they present the threatning Vann,
Of either Hoast, before the Fight began
The horrid shock, when wars gri [...] Ridg is storm'd,
And how the Battle in all parts [...] form'd.
Till when the fury rises to it's hight,
Who well deserves, who saves himself flight;
Who in a Rank unbroken, fiercest flin [...]
His Leaden Thunder-bolts on lightnin [...] wings;
Whilst Tiphons flame does vault [...] field with fire,
And drowns the Cries of those th [...] there expire;
Who ranges furious through the dire [...] taque,
Whose Courage brings the flying S [...] ­diers back,
Who Brandishing aloft his glitteri [...] Blade,
Wide wasting scatters those that [...] Invade,
Who ranges loosly, who makes good [...] stand,
Who disobeys, who fights as by comman [...]
[Page 87]
Who bravest dyes, who with his dying breath
Threatens the Foe, and smiles upon Grim Death,
Whilst Clouds of smoak bright Phoebus redness hide,
Who [...] to see the field with slaugh­ter dy'd.
Tell who gave way, who first 'twas left the field,
Who in the fight, who in pursuit were kil'd,
What spoiles were taken in the doubtful war,
Who is o'recome, and who the conquerer,
What glorious Trophies are affix'd on high,
As a memorial of the Victory;
These they oblige their Muses to relate,
Or lively Paint a drooping Nations fate.
Then why in this should woman loose her praise,
Why shou'd she want deserved wreaths of Bays.

Further in this case I may Instanc [...] the Famous Sybils, who are not onl [...] counted Poets, but Prophetesses, where [...] fore it will not be amiss in this plac [...] to give a brief account of them, as [...] has been handed down by past Ages to the present, and translated, &c.

Isdorus saith, the word Sybil is [...] name of place and office, derived [...] Syos, which signifies a Deitie and Bee [...] thoughts of the number of these Sy­bils Antients Write different. Aeli [...] ­nus will have but four, viz. E [...] ­thraea, Samia, Egyptia and Sardim [...] Arctina agrees with Isdore in the E [...] ­mology of the Word, and likewi [...] Numbers ten, and ascribes them th [...] following places and names, vi [...] Persia, Libia, Delphica as Born [...] Delphos, Omeria of Italy, Erithraea [...] Babylon, Samia, Cumae, Hellesponti [...] Phrygia and Alburnea. Cumae was [...] that brought Books to Tarquinius Pri [...] ­cus, which spake of the Roman Su­cession; and how strangely soe [...] these were inspir'd, they told stra [...] Truths; and as the Antients affir [...] expos'd their Prophesies in Vers [...] [Page 89]but for Brevities sake I shall only men­tion those that were fulfil'd in the Conception and Birth of our Blessed Saviour, &c.

Sybilia Persica Born in Persia, and [...]eld more Antient than the rest; who [...]aving Express'd the most Material things, relating to the several Ages of the World, till the Year of our Bles­ [...]ed Saviours Incarnation: Thus speaks,

In which Year, of a Virgin shall be Born,
The Prince of Peace, Crown'd with a wreath of Thorn;
Him the seventh age shall follow and Extend
Till the worlds frame disolve, and time see end.

Sybilia Libia, by some call'd Phoe­ [...]roe, was held to be the Daughter of [...]ollo, Sir-nam'd Prima, and is im­ [...]ted by some the first Inventer of [...]eroick Verse, and of our Blessed [...]viour thus held to Prophesie.

A King, a Priest, a prophet, all these three
Shall meet in one Sacred Divinity,
Shall be to Flesh Espous'd, O who can scan
This Mistery, Ʋniting God with Man.
When this rare Birth into the world shall come,
He the great God of Oracles strikes Dumb.

Nor may it be amiss, to set down how exactly the two last lines were fullfil'd: For the very day wherein our Blessed Saviour was born, one ask­ing a Response of the Oracle had this Answer.

Me Purus Habreus Superum Rex Lin­quere Tecta
Hac jubet, et cacas Noctis remeare Sub umbras;
Ergo silus Aris tu nunc discendit [...] nostris.

And may be thus Englished.

A Hebrew Child King of the heavens high,
To leave these Alters, has Command­ed me
To Nights dark shaddows and to final Woe.
Thou therefore silent from our Alters go.

And since that time it is observ'd [...]ey remain'd mute.

Sybilia Delphica, was by some call'd [...]aphne, and said by some to be Daugh­ter to Tyresias, she having fo [...]etold [...]e Wars of Troy, proceeds to speak [...]us of our Blessed Saviour.

An Angel shall Descend, and say, Thou blessed Mary, Hail;
Thou shalt conceive, bring forth, yet be A Virgin Without fail.
Three gifts, the Chaldeans to thy Son, Shall tender with much Piety,
Myrrh to a Man, Gold to a King, And Insence to a Deity.

Sybila Cumaea, also called Cimmonia, is held to have been one of the Priest­esses to Apollo, born in Cuma a City of Aetolia, and spake thus, in relation to our Blessed Saviour.

Th' Antient of days shall then submit to time,
The meeker yeild him self to new Cre­ation;
The Deity and Godhead most Sublime
Take shape of Man, to ransom every Nation.
Die to make others live, and ever [...] Crime
Committed, from the round World [...] first Foundation.
Take on himself, as low as hell de­scending
To win Man, Heaven upon his Gra [...] depending.

Sybila Samia, otherwise called E [...] ­rophile, took the name of Sama fro [...] the [...]lsle of Samos, the place of he [...] birth, her Predictions were these.

The World shall to six thousand years expire,
By water once, but then Destroy'd by Fire.
The first two thousand Void, the next the Law,
The last two under the Mesias Aw, And as repose by Sabath is exprest
Sun, Moon, and Stars, all things shall then have rest.

Sybila Cumana, by some called A­ [...]nalthaea having Prophesied of the great Revolutions, and Successions of the Monarchies of the World, speaking [...]f the Glories of Rome, She comes [...]o her Predictions of our Blessed Sa­ [...]iour.

—Great Rome shall then look high,
Whose proud Towers, from their hills shall brave the sky,
And overlook the world, in those blest days,
Shall come a King of Kings, and he shall raise
[Page 94]
A New Plantation, and though great­er far,
In Majesty and pow'r, yet in the day,
So meek and humble he shall daign [...] pay
Tribute to Caesar, yet thence hap­py he,
VVho shall his servant, or his subje [...] be.

Sybila Hellespontica, was otherwis [...] called Marrinensis, and as some asi [...] derived her self from Troy, her Pr [...] ­dictions being these.

When Atlas shoulders shall support Star,
Whose Pondrous weight he never [...] before;
The Splendor of it shall direct fr [...] Far,
Kings, and the Wisest Men, a [...] Light to adore,
Peace in those days shall florish, [...] stern War
Be banish'd Earth, Mankind to rest [...]
[Page 95]
Then shall the Eastern Monarchs, Presents bring,
To one, a Priest, a Prophet, and a King.

Sybila Phrigia, as most are of Opi­nion, was no other than Cassandria, Daughter to Pryam King of Troy, and [...] his Queen, She foretold the destruction of Troy, but was never credited, but speaking nothing of our Blessed Saviour, I shall pass by her Predictions, though they axactly came [...]o pass.

Sybila Tiburnia, so call'd of the Ri­ [...]er Tiber, was otherwise call'd Al­ [...]urnia or Albania, from the City Al­ [...]a, the place of her Birth. It is re­ [...]orted of her, that the Romans go­ [...]g about to Deifie August Caesar, de­ [...]anded her advice, who after three [...]ays fasting, before the Alter where [...]e Emperor was present, after many [...]ysterious words, Miraculously spoke [...]ncerning our Blessed Saviour, upon [...]e suddain the Heavens seem'd to o­ [...]en; and Caesar saw a Beautiful Virgin [Page 96]standing before the Alter, holding an [...] Infant in her Arms, whereat affright­ed, he fell on his Face, and heard a Voice, saying, This is the Alter of the Son of God, in which place a Temple was after built and Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and call'd the Alter o [...] Heaven. This Polichronicon Asserts and quots St. Augustine for his Autho [...] lib. 8, cap. 24. Her Predictions [...] our Saviour were these, after she ha [...] recited divers wonders of the World [...] which I willingly omit.

What at these Tri [...]es stands the World amaz'd,
And hath on them with Admir ati [...] Gaz'd.
Then Wonder when the Troubl'd [...] apease
He shall descend, who made them, th [...] made these.

Sybila Europica was so call'd, [...] that her particular Region or place [...] Birth was not known, nor is she a [...] counted amongst the Ten, but adde [...] and her predictions were these.

VVhen the great King of all the world shall have
No place on Earth, by which he can be known.
VVhen he that comes all Mortal men to save,
Shall find his own life by the world o'rethrown.
VVhen the most Just, Injustice shall deprive,
And the great Judge be Judged by his own.
Death when to Death, a Death by Death hath given,
Then shall be op't the long shut Gates of Heaven.

Sybila Aegypta was likewise Added [...] the Ten, she prophesied on the [...]umber Three, and having reckoned [...]any things Existent in that nature, [...]us proceeds.

But which of us observe the sacred Trine,
Three Persons in one God-head Sole Divine,
[Page 98]
That Individual Essence, who dare scan,
VVhich is, shall be, and e're the world began
VVas in Eternity, when of these thru [...]
One of that most Inscrutable Trinity
The second person, Wisdom, shall E [...] ­tomb
A [...] Majesties within a Virgins Wom [...]
[...] Man, true God, shall to that be Trine Link,
True Light shall shine, and False Sta [...] be Extinct.

Sybila Aerithraea was Born in Ba [...] ­lon, and was Daughter to Berosius th [...] Famous Astrologer; she prophesie of the Greeks that came to the Sie [...] of Troy, defined the places when [...] they came, and how long the Sie [...] would last, mentioning in her Bo [...] H [...]m [...]r, and how that he should wri [...] of those Wars partially, according [...] his Affection, and not the Truth; a [...] in this manner prophesied she of o [...] Blessed Saviour.

The time by the great Oracle assign'd,
VVhen God himself in pity to Man­kind,
Shall from the Heav'n decend, and be Incarnate,
E [...]ring the world a Lamb Imaculate,
And of himself in wisdom thinks so Meet,
VValks on the Earth with three and thirty Feet;
And with six Fingers, all his Subjects then,
Though [...] King Mighty, shall be Fisher­men,
In Number twelve, with these war shall be try'd
Against the Devil, the World, the Flesh and Pride.
Humility shall quell, the sharpest Sword
VVith which they Fight, shall be the Sacred Word
Establish'd upon Earth, which Founda­tion
Once lay'd, shall be Divulg'd to every Nation.

Women skill'd in Painting.

By the Words Feet and Finges are to be understood Years and Months. And thus I conclude the prophesies and predictions of the Sybils; which if truly theirs, and by their being deli­ver'd down through so many hands, they have been neither added to, nor deminshed, it remains doubtful whe­ther it was in the power of any Infer­nal Spirit to divulge such sacred truths so long before they came to pass; or if it was, by this we may see that the Devils themselves were constrain'd to fore-tell what they fore-saw would be the Ruine of their Kingdom.

As Limning or Painting comes the nearest to Poetry; the one Exposing things Lively drawn to the Eare, and the other to the Eye. I shall Incert the dexterity of some Women, skill'd therein.

Thymarete the Daughter of Myca [...]n, was eminent in this Art: and amongst other curious pieces drawn to the life, she drew that Master-piece which fill'd the Beholders with admiration, viz. The picture of Diana, which was af­terward [Page 101]hung up in the Temple of Ephesus; she being accounted the best Artist the World had afforded to that time, and flourishedin the time of A [...]che­laus King of Macedon. Pliny l. 3 c. 11.

Irene was Daughter to Crantinus (a man Famous in this Art) she by often observing her Father, so wonderfully profited herein, that she drew the Counterfait of a Beautious Virgin of the City of Eleusina so to the Life, that after it had been a long time prais'd and admir'd, it was plac'd amongst the Rarities, to be admir'd by succeeding Ages.

Lala Cizice Daughter to Marcus Varo, practised the use of the Pencil in Rome, and in the Art of Limning attain'd to such perfection, that she drew her own picture to the Life by the help of a Looking-glass: She also used a sharp pointed Quill, call'd [...]e­strum, with which she curiously cut in Ivory, as in these days [...] do in Silver or Copper, and was com­mended above all the Virgins of her time for nimbleness and dexterity of hand, none ever equaling her in quick­ness; [Page 102]and for Fancy and Curiosity she exceeded Sopylon and Dionysus, who otherwise found none that might com­pare with them: and least the cares of Marriage should hinder her herein, she chose to spend her days in a state of Virginity. Heywoods Hist. W.

Thus art i [...]spir'd, Ingenious women can
Equal, if not Exceed the skill of man.

Women skill'd in Weaving.

In curious Webs the Sex claimes propriety as an Art attributed to their Ingenuity, and in this many have been Famous, as Arachue of Lydia, Daugh­ter of I [...]arus, who wrought so curi­ously, that she is Fabled to be turned [...]nto a Spider by Minerua, with whom she contended for precedency. Penelope the Chast wise of Ʋlisses, who made [...] her Employment, during her Hus­ba [...]ds being abroad in the Trojan Wars, and his wandering at Sea; nor would she be perswaded by any means to Marry, during his twenty years Absence, neither by her Parents nor the Nobles that came to Court [Page 103]her, although she was Inform'd her Husband was dead, but when they were so Importunate that she concei­ved they would compel her, she In­treated them, that she might make an end of her Web, and then she would consent to Marry, but instead of finishing it, what she Weav'd in the Day she Unravel'd in the Night, and by that means delay'd them, till her Husband came home, and freed her from their Importunity, from whence the Proverb arose, Penelopes, Telum Texere; or Labour-in-Vain.

Olimpias and Livia; were exceeding dexterous herein, and although great Queens, yet they set places apart, in their Pallac [...]s to Exercise this Art, and Instructed others in it, the First Wea­ving a Garment for her Son, Alexan­der the Great, and the Second, a, Mantle for the Emperor Octavian Au­gustus her Husband, Alex. ab Alex. lib. 8. cap. 4.

Tanaquil Wove a Kingly Garment, or Imperial Robe woven quite through with Rays, and Flame; or Streams of Gold, which Robe, Servius T [...]llus [Page 104]often wore, when he sat in the Capital, on the Judgment Seat.

Ausonias speaks of one Sabina, not only Excellent in this Art, but likewise in Poetry, whose Memory he left to posterity, in the following Epigram.

If thou affect a Purple Robe,
Woven in the Tyrian stain,
Or if a title well Inscrib'd,
By which thy Wit may gain.
Behold her Works Impartialy,
And Censure on them well,
Both, one Sabina doth profess,
And doth in both Excell.

Of Courage & Conduct in War.

Thus much being said of the singu­lar Virtues, and other things relating to the Beautious Sex; it will be con­venient to say something of their For­titude, Courage and Conduct, relating to War, or Warlike Exploits.

Women have shin'd in Camps, as well as Courts,
More seen in Mars's Armes, than Ve­nus sports.
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Charging through Bloody Fields, to purchase Fame,
And raise the Trophies of a Warlike Name.

Nor is it Fabulous, as some have I­magin'd, that there was, if it conti­nue not to this day, a Nation of Wo­men, call'd Amazons, descended from the Scythians, who upon their Hus­band's being slain in Battle, Assum'd the Government. Vowing never more to submit to the Tyranny, as they ter­m'd it of man, but to keep as many as were sufficient for Propagation, and to send the Super-numerary Males that should be, when brought up, to seek their Adventures in other parts of the World, and not return, unless recall'd, upon pain of Death, and by this means they Encreas'd in Pow'r and Strength, using themselves to all manner of Military Exercise. Their First Queens mention'd, were Mar­thesia and Lampedo, who Joyntly Go­verning, divided their People into two Armyes, and went to War by [Page 106]turns, after whom Succeeded Antiope, and Orythia, who by their Valour much Enlarg'd their Borders, the Fame of whose Valour it's said, drew Hercules with an Army to Invade their Country, But having Experienc'd their mighty prowes, stood amazed, yet the Viragoes finding their Coun­try wasted by the Greeks, sent to Sa­gillus King of the Scythians, acknow­ledging they were descended, from that Nation, and therefore pray'd his Aide, who sent his Son with a Gallant Troop of Horse, but after a while, some dissensions arriseing in Scythia, the Prince withdrew his Forces, yet the Greeks tyr'd with a Bloody and doubtfull War, though under the Leading of the most Vali­ant Captain that ever Greece boasted, upon consideration that Theseus, a Noble Grecian should have Hipolite, Sister to these Amazonian Queens in Marriage, a peace was concluded, and the Greeks withdrew, having enough of Female Valour.

After the Aforementioned Queens Succeeded the Valiant Penthesilaea who [Page 107]came in Favour of Priam, or as some say for the Love of Hector to Troy, whil'st it was besieg'd by the Greeci­ans, with a Thousand Ladyes, where after she had perform'd many Vala­rous Exploits, and done all that true Valour was capable of performing, over-power'd by Number, and weak through loss of Blood, she was beaten from her Horse, and slain by Achilles, or as some say, by Neoptolimus, and was the first observ'd to Fight with a Poleax, or wear a Shield in the form of a half Moon, and of her, Virgil speaks, in his first Ae [...]id, and may be thus in English,

Penthesilaea Mad, leads forth Her Amazonian Train,
Arm'd with their Moon'd-Shields, and Fights
Mid'st thousands on the plain.

'Tis apparent, these Amazonians continued till the time of Alexander the Great, and though Is [...]ras seems to a [...]irm that Alexander quite Subd [...]'d their Nation, yet others say that [Page 108]that King sending to demand Tribute of them, their Queen Minithra (or as some call her Thelastria) then Reign­ing returned this answer.

It is great VVonder of thy small Judg­ment, O King? that thou desirest to wage VVar against VVomen. If thou being so great a Conqueror, should be Vanquish'd by Ʋs, all thy former Ho­nours would be Eclips'd, and thou per­petually branded with Disgrace; but if our Gods, being angry with us, should deliver us up to thy Mercy, what addi­tion is it to thy Honour, to have Van­qrish'd weak VVomen. With which words Alexander was so well pleas'd, that he granted them Freedom, ad­ding that VVomen ought to be Courted with fair words and not with Hostility. Whereupon the King desireing to see her. She came to his Camp, where conversing together, about divers af­fairs of State, they seperated.

The Amazonians, were by the Scy­thians call'd Aeorpatae, which in their Language signifies Man-Killer, and the reason why this name is given, is because they abjur'd the Society of [Page 109]Men, any more than was reasonable for Propagation, Curtias Quintus in his fifth Book thus describes their Habit. Their Garments (says he) cover'd not their Bodies round, their Right sides were bare towards their Breast, their upper Robe which was Buckled or Button'd above, descended no lower than the Knee, one of their Breasts they reserved safe and untouch'd, with which they nourish'd Infants; but as for the other, which was the right, the growth of it was hindred by seering in the time of Child-hood, that with the greater dexterity they might use their Arms. Herodotus speaks much of them, and amongst other things (he says) to Encourage their Valour, they had a Law, that no Virgin should enter into familiar Congress with Man, before she had brought from the Field the Head of a slain Enemy.

And thus the brave Viragos fierce in arms,
Train'd up in Camps, and us'd to hot alarms;
[Page 110]
Made all the Neighbour Nations stand in awe,
And Rul'd their Countrey by a Female Law;
In this we see that Pallas Burnish'd spear,
Can with the Sword of Bloody Mars compare.

Not inferior to these was the re­nown'd Camilla, Queen of the Volsci­ans: This Lady in her Cradle gave token of ensuing Valour, for she was not wrap'd in Softness, nor fo­ster'd by a Nurse, but by her Father Melebeus with Milk of Hinds and wild Goats; nor did she when come to ma­turity, adict her self to what is usual for women, but vowing Chastity, she betook her to Hunting wild Beasts, of whose skins she made her Gar­ments; her food for the most part was Venison, and her drink Water from the Fountain; and in this Aste­mious and Chast life she continued many years, but in process of time the Volscians for her Virtue and Valour [Page 111]chose her their Queen, and when the War happened between Turnus and Aeneas, she brought her Troops into the Field in favour of the former, and there did wonders; but happy for Aeneas, as she was Charging furi­ously on his Routed Squadron, a Tro­jan watching his oportunity, shot her into the Breast with an Arrow; of which Wound she dyed, and with her the Fortune of King Turnus. And thus Virgil in his seventh Aeniad speaks, as I find it Translated by Hey­wood.

To their supply Camilla came, The Gallant Volscian Lass,
Who bravely did Command the Horse, With Troops that shin'd in Brass.

Atlantea was Daughter of Jasus and Clymene, in her tender Age her Father cast her out to a desperate for­tune, for no other reason than that she was of the Female Sex; when a Shee-Bare more Compassionate than her cruel Parent, nourished her in the Woods with her Milk, till some Hunts­men [Page 112]fortuned to come by, and casting their Eyes upon her lovely Beauty, took her home and carefully brought her up: In her Youth she adicted her self to the use of Arms and Hunting wild Beasts, till by her Swiftness and wonderful Courage she grew Famous. She was wonderful Expert likewise in managing swift Horses, turning Char­riots in the midest of their Careir, Wrestling, throwing Darts, &c.

Hunting the Callidonian Boar with many of the Noble Youths of Greece, she was the first Wounded that furious Beast, on which occasion Plautanus Cites her as an Example, as thus,

As did the Meleagrian Girl, who in the Aetolian plain
Lay'd flat the Foaming Boar, and was the foremost of the train
That gave him bold Encounter, and as Ignorant of fear,
Notch't her sharp Arrow, and the string pluck't close up to her Eare:
The first that day in Field, that Blood from the stern Monster drew,
Bearing the honour, spoile and palm from all the Princely crew.

To these it will be convenient to add some English Viragoes, who in Conduct and Courage have not been Inferior to the rest.

Elphlelda, Sister to King Edward the fourth, before the Conquest, was Wife to Etheldredus Duke of Mercia, she affisted her Husband in restoring the City of Chester, after it had been demolish'd by the Danes. After the death of her Husband, she Govern'd his Principality Wisely and Valiantly, Built many Cities and Towns, Re­paired others, as Thatarn Brimsbury; she Built a Bridge upon the Severn, and did many other famous things. This Lady having once endured the pains of Child-birth, refrain'd her Hus­bands Bed, though not without his consent; saying, It was unseemly for a woman of her degree to Innure her self to such wanton Embraces, whereof should ensue so great a pain and sorrow. The Welshmen heing unruly in those days, she tam'd them, and over-threw the Danes in several Battles; in Memory of whom Henry the fifth left this Epitaph upon her Tomb.

Oh Elphlelda, thou great in strength and mind,
The Dread of men, and Viottess of thy kind;
Nature has done as much as Nature can.
To make the Maid, but goodness makes then M [...];
Yet pity thou should'st change ought but thy mama,
Thou art so good a woman, and thy fame.
In that grows greater and more worthy, when.
Thy Feminine Valour much outssineth men.
Great Caesars acts, thy noble d [...]eds ex­cell,
So sleep in peace, Virago Maid fare­well.

Heywoods Hist. Women.

Maud, Daughter to He [...]y the first, was Married to Henry the fourth Em­perour, her Husband dying, she had the Title of Empress, and her Father Henry caused the Nobility of England [Page 115]to Swear Fealtie to her, as his Lawful Heir; but he dying, many left her, and took part with Stephen, Duke of Bulloin; when contending for her right, she Fought many Battles with him, in which her Courage, Prudence and Conduct shin'd to admiration, and at last took King Stephen Prisoner, whom she brought to London, the people every where, Ken [...] excepted, owning her Soveraignty. Upon no­tice that the King was prisoner, his Wife came to Ransome him, and offer'd a Renountiation of his Claim to the Kingdom; but she not hearkning to it, the People Mutined against her, which Oblig'd her to fly to Oxford, there to attend the Uniting of her scatter'd Forces; but being there hardly press'd by the Queen and o­thers that had Asociated with her, she caus'd her self to Escape, being made a prisoner to be Coffined up as dead, and carryed to Glocester; her Brother Robert being at that time taken prisoner; and King Stephen soon after getting his Liberty, Be­sieg'd her in the City of Oxford from [Page 116] Michalmas day to Midd-Winter, at what time being strain'd through want, she Attired her self in White, and by that means passing the Fenns cover'd with Snow, she came to Wallingford Castle, and soon after had the King­dom put into the possession of her Son Henry, Crown'd by the Name and Ti­tle of Henry the second.

Of Loyal Women.

In Loyalty to their Prince, Women in all Ages have been unparaled Exam­ples, and in that case England is won­derfully Indebted to the Memory of that Extraordinary pattern of Loyal­ty and unshaken Fidelity Mrs. Jane Lane, whom no promise of reward, or the fear of loosing her own life could induce to betray her Soveraign; but rather with an undaunted Cou­rage and never to be forgotten Con­duct, she Courted hazard and danger for the preservation of his late Ma­jesty, Charles the Second, of ever Blessed Memory.

To blot such virtue, fond man strives in vain,
For it like Christ [...] purges off its stain,
And by it does a brighter L [...]stur gain.

The Introduction to the Reasons and Arguments, &c.

THus far with an adventerous hand, I have portray'd the Virtues of the Fair Sex, in their many singular qualities, and yet intend not here to stop, but produce more sollid Argu­ments to confirm their worth, Though there is nothing more nice and de­licate, than to Treat on the Subject of Women, especially if we speak to their advantage, for then it is ima­gin'd a piece of Gallantry or Love, the Extravigancy of good Humour, or the Ardent Feavour of an Extraor­dinary Passion; though certain it is that the most happy thoughts that can possess the labouring Minds of those that would acquire a sollid Science, after they have been vulgarly instruct­ted, may have reason to doubt whe­ther they have been taught aright or not, and labour still to find a way at least to a higher Improvement of [Page 118]what they but indifferently under­stand. And in this case the Contemp­lation of good Women, works won­ders in the lofty Soul of Man, by mak­ing the things contemplated, more lovely and curious to the Eyes and Thoughts, or rendering us more pliable to Entertain a large esteem of what the Wise have term'd a Sollid happi­ness; so those that have but viewed the superficies of Female Excellence, can no more be sensible of the highth of that perfection, than a Rude Ame­rican of the inward Lustre of an Un­polish'd Diamond found in it's Rockey coverture, amongst the common pro­duct of the Earth. At a distance we behold the glorious Lamp of day, and though at once we well perceive it fills the world with heat and brightness, yet by reason of innumerable spaces 'twin it and the Earth, the Vulgar think in small, and that a narrow room might easily contain that, which more than a hundred times exceeds in Magnitude the sedentary Globe. Those glitter­ing flames of Night, that move i [...] Mistick dances, and keep their orde [...] [Page 119]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 [...]ear the Waves, the Damps of Mo­rossness [Page 120]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! tha [...] too oft delude us, like the wandring Fire that dances, or seems to dance be­fore the belated Traveller, whom fear [Page 121]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 movei [...]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 [Page 122]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 Bod [...], 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 [Page 124]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 lar [...]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 [Page 125]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, [Page 126]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 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 [Page 127]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 Incapacitie [...], hat she may not reach at things Sublime, and by compre­hending them, know the largness of her Soul. So the Egyptian Magi [...] to gain themselves the more esteem, and be adored by the unthinking Vulgar, had [Page 128]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 [Page 129]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 [Page 130]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.
[Page 131]
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 Nobl [...] than others, yet it being Immorta [...] cannot in its self suffer change, as be­ing [Page 133]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 [Page 134]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 [Page 135]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 [Page 136]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 Creatu [...]'s to his use assign'd,
[Page 137]
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,
[Page 138]
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.
[Page 139]
And kind Pomona with her giving hand.
Nay Baccus who o're Men has large command.
Let these and what of this kind, though [...]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, [Page 141]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!
[Page 142]
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 Fabric [...] ­roul,
And to surpress them, 'tis 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,
[Page 143]
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 the Almighty to save the World from desolation; her virtues are for the most part admirable, and no less her judgment, and the other Intelectual faculties of her Soul. That, as I have prov'd being nothing Inferiour to that, [Page 144]in which Man centers his largest Pride and Boast, imagining it (as it truly is) a Ray of Essence, a Effluence of his Maker. Woman from her Infan­cy with pretty Smiles delights the World, and Chears the hearts of her admiring Parents, and as she grows, Virtue takes its place well pleas'd to dwell in such a Fabrick, and brings as her Attendants, Modesty, Sobriety and a wining Behaviour. No sooner is Woman possess'd by Man in the happy State of Conubial Love, but she furuishes him with a shower of Blessings, wrap'd in soft Delights and deck'd in Chastest Charms; mild and plyant is her Temper, and her Cari­age towards him decent, and comely her Behaviour, her Love is beyond Expression, and her Tenderness such, that she values him on whom her heart is plac'd equal with all but her imortal happiness, as for her Life she counts it a Trifle, and had rather loose it than her Honour; she esteems nothing on Earth too good for her Beloved, and inforces all her Charms to please and render him the happy Father of [Page 145]hopeful Children; she is indeed his Internus Sensus, his second self, equal­ly shareing his Joys and Afflictions, and is not like a Swallow that sings to the morning wake of his prosperity, and when the Winter of his Adversity comes, takes her way upon the Winds to seek a warmer Sun; her Smiles are not to be bought with Silver, nor her Love to be purchac'd with Gold, but are freely and intirely plac'd upon her Beloved; great is her diligence to please him, and as great her care not to offend him; when he rejoyces, she rejoyces; when he is griev'd, she is sad, simpathising with him in all things, and is the secret Cabinet in which he dare repose his Secrets, and find them there as safe as in his Soul; a Repository she is of his abstrusest thoughts, and is ever tender of his honour, nothing she thinks too good for him, nor no­thing she can do too much; in Health, she takes care for his necessa­ries, and is wonderfully tractable in forwarding his Affairs, in Sickness; she is more studious for his Health then her Intrest, and puts up her Prayers [Page 146]and Vows to Heaven for his recovery, Expressing in all her actions a careful Love and Tenderness, and in her Words a venerable Esteem; so that without so great a virtue as Woman, Man must be miserable and forlorn as to his temporal Condition; nor ought he to esteem so great a Blessing un­worthy his largest Thoughts, nor render the Almighty less Tribute of Praise and Thanks-giving, for be­stowing that last best favour on him, which could only compleat his earthly Felicity.

In making Woman Nature has been Lavish, and shew'd her curious Art in Forming a Creature soft and tempt­ing, to allay the rough temper of Man by moderation and mildness, as the Fluid Aire prevents the Firey Region from Calcinating the Earth, and ren­ders that outragious Element servicea­ble to Man-kind. Great was the cun­ning Nature used (or rather the God of Nature) (not to refer so great a Work to second causes) in framing the lovely structure of the Softer Sex in every part, proporting what by [Page 147]sight or touch might yield delight, forgetting nothing that was admira­ble in it self, or might be pleasing to those whose curions thoughts could scan the best Perfections; wonder not then why the Sex is so admir'd by all the sages of the World, yet not so much as real Worth commands in true desert, as has been often intimated in the foregoing Pages; why then should Man decline so great a Blessing? why should not he, who is so proud of being Rational, use his Rationalty to a right end, and by temporal Love founded on Virtue, strive to raise his Soul to that which is Eternal endless, and not dated by degrees of time; a Love un­alterable as Fate, sounded on a com­mixture of Blessings, in conversation with Angels, Arch-Angels, Cherubims and Seraphims; Thrones, Dominati­ons, Prince-doms Virtues and Powers, all the Starry Quire of Brightness and Batitude; and higher yet, for Love is God, and God is Love, by it the order of the Visible World is main­tain'd, and things not visible to mor­tal Eyes supported in their sacred or­der [Page 148]and concordence, 'tis that which makes all truly happy, and without it is no happiness in this World, nor the World to come.

Then let us prize a Gift that is so fair,
So good, so just, that she our love should share,
To a degree, too great to be exprest,
Who of all Blessing Earth affords, is best,
Who only Crowns all Earthly Flappi­ness,
And does Man-kind beyond his wishes bless.
A greater Blessing Heav'n never gave
To Mortal Man, but him that Man did save.

The Reasons why Mans Happiness is not compleat on Earth without the Charm­ing Creature Woman.

AS for the necessity of the Beautious Sex it is evident, not only for the sake of Generation, but for that of Mutual Society; Man without them being as a Solitary Traveller, who Journeys through Wildernesses and Desarts, where Rational Crea­tures seldome give his Eyes the ple­sure of beholding them; though some may object that the Conversation of Man with Man is materialy suffi­cient. I grant it is in general relating to indifferent affairs, but where the Soul claims a closer Union than such Innocent diversions can a­low, that convers is of little moment. Woman was taken from Man, and therefore by a simpathy of Nature, and a secret contraction of the better part, she considers in being cruel to her temporal Original; she is cruel to her self, and in that cruellty offends her Maker, unless a singular vow of [Page 150]Chastity interposes, wherein her aime is to be a spotless Virgin, that so she may follow the Lamb that has taken away Original Sin, and given us leave and oppertunity to be Regenerate and Born again through Faith and Rely­ance on his meritorious Death and passion, but to come nearer to the conclusion,

Eternal love ought to be our chief aim,
Life in our Saviours death we d [...]ly claim,
In his dear merits all our hopes must be,
Zone of our everlasting life is he,
A bright Meridian of Eternity;
But how came this great Mistery to pass?
Eternal Widom the Prime Author was:
The thing is deep, and Mortal Minds are lost,
Heav'n nows alone what this dear Bles­sing cost.
Consider then, and let us still adore
Omnipotence, which our weak nature bore,
Compassioning us; he lay'd aside
Known Glory, & dispising shame, he dy'd
[...]'raign o're Death, with Death he yet comply'd.

Having thus far discours'd, I shall proceed to the Character of a Virtuous Woman in all her Capacities.

The GOLDEN CHARACTER Of a VIRTUOUS WOMAN In all her CAPACITIES.

IN this case three things are more immediately to be consider'd, viz The Virgin State, and those of Marriage and Widdow-hood, and of these in their Order.

A Virtuous Virgin may be properly call'd the Treasurey of Chastity and Innocence, delighting to live in that [Page 152]Estate, that she may have the better opertunity to do good, and render her self an example of Piety; Meek­ness and Humility are her constant Attendants, and Pride knows not her Dwelling: She delights not in much Discourse, and flys from Vanity: the Sound of vain words renders her restless and uneasie, till she has found a retirement: Modesty and a Comely Behaviour are the Ornaments where­with she desires to be decked: Affable she is, and of a sweet Temper: her Words are few, and those deliver'd with deliberation: amongst Strangers she rarely speaks, unless she be ask'd any Question, or otherwise Business of Importance requires it: she chooseth not a single Life for it self, but in Refference to her better serving God: she improves her single life therewith to serve God more constantly: she counts her self better lost in modest Silence then found in bold Discourse: at the Repetition of any wanton Dis­course she Blushes and turns away: for the future shuning those that give themselves up to such Vanity, yet [Page 153]when at any time she mentions Marri­age it is done with seemly Reverence and regard to that Holy State: her Obedience to her Parents is wonder­ful, and Respects to her Superiours equals and inferiours no less; and in­deed lives a Saint-like life upon Earth, void of offence towards God and Man; and as she lives with less Care, so she dies with more Chearfulness.

THE CHARACTER Of a VIRTUOUS WIFE.

NOT without Reason do's the Holy Scriptures Stile a good Woman or Wife, the Crown of her Husband, for so she proves be­ing the greatest Felicity a Man is ca­pable off, being properly call'd his secon Self the Partner of his Joy and Grief, the safe Repositorie of his Se­crets, aand Sollace of his Life. A [Page 155]good Wife commandeth her Husband in equall Matter, by Constantly obey­ing him, she never Crosses him, in the height of his Anger, but patiently waits till it is abated, and then she mildly argues the Matter with him, not so much to condemn him, as to acquit her self. Her Husbands Secrets she seals up in her Breast. In her Hus­bands abscence, she Officiates his place, in regarding and takeing care of his Affaires, but when he is pre­sent, she Intermedles in his concerns no further than she is required, she keeps at home constantly, unless ur­gent occasions require the contrary, and then she acquaints her Husband therewith, and has his leave be­fore she sets forward, her Habit and Attire, is rather Neat than Costly, her Carriage is Modest, and her Words deliver'd with a mixture of Discretion and Gravetie: In her Hus­bands Afflictions, she ever bears a part, and uses her Endeavours to Consolate him: Her Children though many in Number, are none in Noise, her Nod or Look, being a [Page 156]sufficient Helm to Steer them as she pleases. The heaviest Work of her Servants, is made Light, by her or­derly and sesonable Enjoyning it. Wherefore her Service, is counted a Preferment, and her Teaching, better then Wages, and thus' she is happy in her self, and renders others the like Felicity.

THE CHARACTER Of a VIRTUOUS VVIDDOVV.

AVirtuous Widdow has been the Esteem of all Ages, and found the Miracle of Piety, for the near approach of Death, even to taking from them the Center of their Earth­ly affections, makes past doubt a deeper impression than can be in o­thers, and fills their Pensive Breasts with serious Thoughts, which turn to Meditations; and from thence as from a Fountain flows a stream of Prayers and Pious Ejaculations, which seldome are silent till the highest has regarded them. As for the Virtuous Widdow, though her Grief is real, yet it is moderate: [Page 158]she doth not only live Sole and Single, but Chast and Honest, Though she go abroad some times, about her bu [...]ess, she never makes it her business to go abroad, she En­tirely Loves the Memory of her de­ceased Husband, and will hear no [...] spoke off him, she Cherishes her Chil­dren: and Fancies in them their Fa­thers Idea: she puts her Especial Confidence in God, the Father to the Fatherless, and Husband to Widdows: she is Carefull and Tender of her Reputation, yet not more Carefull of her own Credit, then of Gods Glory: she is Pittyfull and Bounty­full to People in Distress: she walks Humbly before God in all Religi­ous Duties: she affects not the vani­ty of Foolish Fashions: she roads con­stant Lectures to hersolf of her own Mortality, and in this State she con­tinues all the Days of her apointed Time, 'Till her Change come.

FINIS.

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[1] A Discourse of Divine Providence. 1. In General: That there is a Providence exercised by God in the World. 2. In Particular: How all Gods Providences in the World, are in order to the good of his Peo­ple. By the late Learned Divine Ste­phen Charnock, B. D. sometimes Fellow of New-Colledg in Oxon.

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