The Godly Maid of Leicester.
Being a true Relation of Elizabeth Stretton, who lying upon her Death-bed, was wonderfully delivered from the Temptations of Satan, worthy the noting of all that would live and die in the fear of God.
The Tune is, In Summer time.
AMongst the Wonders God hath shown,
within this Island and elsewhere,
A wonder strange I will make known,
as ever any man did hear!
A vertuous Maid in Leicester dwelt,
who came of honest Parentage,
Temptations and afflictions felt,
although she was of tender age.
Elizabeth Stretton was her name,
of conversation Godly given,
Gods holy Word was all her aim,
whose soul no doubt is now in Heaven;
Sore sick she was and sick to death,
and in a trance for half an hour.
That people thought her vital breath,
extinguish'd was by deaths strong power.
He that rais'd Lazarus from the dead,
did raise this Maid to life again,
When as they thought her life was fled,
and that by death she had béen slain,
At last with smiling countenance,
upon the company did look,
And said she had been in a Trance,
but Christ her soul had not forsook.
I have béen in a Combat great,
even with the black Prince of the Air,
By craft, and by his strong deceit,
did séek to bring me to despair,
But Christ doth ne'r forsake his Flock,
who evermore on him depend,
He was my Fortress and my Rock,
and brought my troubles to an end.
Satan.
O silly soul the Divel said,
in Christ why dost thou put thy trust,
In Hell with me thou must be laid,
and thy frail body turn to dust.
Maid.
I know my Corps to dust must fall,
but my swéet Christ redéem'd my soul,
I am his Child on him I call,
although my sins are very foul.
Satan
No sinful Soul in Heaven may dwell,
alas poor wretch thou art deceiv'd.
Thy sins will weigh thée down to Hell,
when death of life hath thee bereft.
Maid.
Gods mercy is above my sin,
who did protect me from my birth,
My Father knows where I have been,
amongst vile sinners here on Earth,
The second part
to the same Tune▪
WHose bad example me did cause,
to walk beside the path of Grace
I have broke all his sacred Laws,
yet he my Soul doth still imbrace,
When he perceiv [...]d my Faith so strong,
Satan began to hide his head,
I did by him receive no wrong,
so presently he vanished.
He was no sooner vanished
but my swéet Saviour appear'd to me,
When as you thought I had been dead,
my Soul her Saviour then did see.
Poor wretch said he, Lo I will be,
thy Father, Husband, and Delight,
Thy sinful Soul from Hell to free,
and overcome the Divels might,
I hid my Face, a little space,
to try how patient thou wouldst be,
I give thee F [...]th and means of Grace
and that sufficient was for thee,
To overc [...]m [...] the Divels power.
the ga [...] of Hell could not prevail,
I he [...]pt thee in a Blessed hour,
and thy poor Soul I will not fail.
To te [...]l thy friends where thou hast bin,
and how my Children I protect,
[...]ow I have pardoned thy sin,
and all the sins of my Elect.
With Oyl he did anoint my Soul,
my Head, and all my Body o're,
He did forgive my sins most foul,
I praise his holy Name therefore,
Now I my Saviours love have again,
I nothing in this World do crave,
But that I once were free from pain,
and fairly laid within my Grave.
All you that stand about my Bed,
see that the Lord above you fear,
And think on this when I am dead,
that you your course so well may steer.
For I have fought a happy Fight,
and overcome, by Gods good Grace,
The Divel in his power and might,
and [...] with Comfort now my Race.
From henceforth is laid up for me,
a Crown of Immortality,
Where I shall very shortly be,
with Heavenly Saints that never die.
Vnto Gods Ordinance let's go,
in the Week-days with due respect,
Think not the time ill spent, all you
that Count your selves as Gods Elect
As well as on the Sabbath-day,
as I have done, as you do know,
For I to you may truly say,
I find the comfort of it now.
Let none Gods Ordinance contemn,
the means of their Salvation,
Let not the Divel prevail with them,
to bring them to Damnation.
I praise my God in all my grief,
I never lost my hold of Grace,
When other folks were bent to strife,
I held the Church the chiefest place.
And therefore mind me what I say,
before your Glass be run,
Though other people go astray,
go forwards as you have begun,
And meddle not with them that are
contentious any kind of way,
But ever let it be your care,
Gods holy Ordinance to obey.
For those that will not serve him here
in Heaven with him shall never dwell
Therefore my Friends now have a care
that you may scape the pains of Hell,
So farewell Friends, farewell to all,
I'm going to a better place.
Let not the Divel bring you to thrall,
nor fondly lose your hold of Grace.
Lord Iesus now receive my Soul,
I do bequeath the same to thee,
O Lord forgive my sins most foul,
and so to Heaven passed she;
And so departed she in peace,
to Heaven with Angels to remain,
The Lord above gave her release,
from her Afflictions, Grief and Pain.
Let People mind her dying words,
if in Heaven they would live,
Her Life and Death so much affords,
and Heavenly comfort now doth give.
O Lord, give us all Grace, that we
may live to him and die to sin,
Our Life and Death shall happy be,
though in a wicked world we've béen.
London, Printed by E. C. for F. Coles. T. Vere. and J. Wright.