spare you to us Here she reply'd without giving the party leave to go on Mat. 26.39 Phil. 1.23 Not my will O Lord but thy will be done Nevertheless it is far better for me to depart and be with my Saviour But O my God Thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven And so proceeded to the end of the Lord's Prayer and afterwards rehearsed also the Apostles Creed Which having done she sate up in her Bed and looking on her Hands Gen. 3.19 Job 19.25 said This poor Body must return to its Dust. But I know that my Redeemer lives and that he shall stand at the latter day v. 26. And though after my skin Worms destroy this Body yet in my flesh shall I see God. 1 Cor. 15.53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal immortality v. 59. And then shall Death be swallowed up in Victory v. 55. O Death where is thy Victory Where is that Sting wherewith with thou wouldst piece me My Saviour has broken it After which she making a little pause did seem to fall asleep but presently turning her self towards the Lady her Mother with a chearful countenance said to her Dear Mother give me up to God again who thus long has lent me to you Whereupon the Lady her Mother lifting up her Eyes to Heaven with sighs and tears cry'd out O Heavenly Father into thy hands I commend both my self and this poor Child thou hast given me Make us I beseech thee partakers of thy holiness that we may be so of thy Happiness also THEN the Patient answer'd I know whom I have believed 2 Tim. 1.12 and am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day And looking on the Lady her Mother with a tender look she said to her upon occasion of a Dream she had Dear Mother give me to drink again of your Consolations Whereto the Lady her Mother answer'd It is the Lord shall do that for you my Child Aye replied she yet have I received some by your means also Then the Lady her Mother went on and said Isal 12.13 With joy shall you draw water out of the Wells of Salvation To which the Patient answer'd Tea verily I am drinking already of those Waters springing up into eternal life and my Cup does overflow Lord break this Vessel of Earth that the Treasure may appear which thou bast laid up in it Take unto thee again the Breath wherewith thou bast animated this my poor Body THE next night after she dream'd that she saw two Lamps fasten'd to Heaven which gave a most glorious Light and that at last one of them was caught up and hid in Heaven Which Dream she having told the Lady her Mother the next Morning she said to her My dear Child thou Virgin of Israel Mystical Bride go to meet thy Bridegroom with thy Lamp full of that Oyl thy Saviour has given thee Then the Patient cry'd out Father Luk. 23.46 into thy hands I comment my Spirit Yea I am now going to the Wedding of the Lamb who has married me to himself in his tender mercies and I shall sit down at his Table with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven At which Conversation the Chaplain being present was going to conclude it with these words Well done Mat. 25.23 good and faithful Servant enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. But the Patient interrupting him cry'd out Oh! this Joy of the Lord is my joy adding That Mercy rejoyced against Judgement Jam. 2.13 in her behalf After this the Lady her Mother and one of her own Sisters who remain'd alone with her heard her most fervently pray to God and rehearse several Sentences of the 6.51 and 143. Psalms which she deliver'd either in Prose or Verse sometimes according to the Old and at other times according to the New Translation And thus applying her self to God with a Zeal beyond expression all her thoughts were now so rais'd that she felt such ravishing Joys as no Tongue can utter How happy am I repeated she often How surpassing is my Joy How can I express it It 's so great that is exceeds all comparison What thanks have I to return to my good God! You my dear Friends speaking to her Mother and Sister help me to ascribe the Glory due to his Name and to set forth his worthy Praise THE Lady her Mother seeing her in this happy condition call'd those in again who were gone out of the Room that they might be Witnesses of this her Joy and Consolation as they had been of her Sorrows She was at this time sitting up in her Bed with her hands joyned together and her Eyes lifted towards Heaven her looks being very lively and chearful and her countenance brisk though modest For the the space of six hours she spoke with a loud voice and did express much in few words using terms very emphatical to represent sometimes her Happiness and sometimes the Joy she was filled with interlacing her discourse with several Sentences both of the Old and New Testament which she utter'd so fast and fluently that it was impossible to remember them all and mixing her inspir'd thoughts with those written Dictates of the Holy Ghost sometimes made her address to our Lord for the Redemption he had vouchsafed to her and then again humbled her self before him At another time she congratulated her own happy state and lastly she return'd a thousand times her hearty thanks to God for the accúmulated favours she had receiv'd at his hand BESIDES She paraphrased several Chapters of the Holy Scripture as the 5th 8th and 12th of the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans and the 17th of St. John's Gospel applying them to her self much after this manner My God there is now no condemnation to them that are in CHRIST JESUS I have therefore nothing to fear for I do with all my heart lay hold of his merits who is the Redeemer of the World. I am made free from the Law of Sin and Death which does no more at all affright me and I feel the Spirit of Eternal Life communicated to me by my Saviour Yea O my God I know I am one of thy Children since this thy Spirit so powerfully comforts me Arise my Soul and to th' Aimighty King Psal 104.35 Woodf Sprightly and chearful Hallelujabs sing Oh! how great is my happiness Rom. 8.15 who have not received the Spirit of Bondage but the Spirit of Adoption whereby I can call Him Father who is the Great God and Master of the World. Thou Holy Ghost shalt always bear witness to my Spirit that I am the Child of God and. Co-heir with Christ. Rom. 11.33 O the depth of the riches both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his Judgments and his ways past finding out v. 36. For of him and through
him and to him are all things to whom be glory for e-ever Amen Lord Jesu added she thou said'st in that Prayer thou didst put up fir thine Apostles Joh. 17.20 Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their words I have believed on thee through their words Thou didst therefore O Lord even then pray for thy poor Hand-maid Lord thou didst say v. 24. Father I will that they also whom thou bast given me be with me where I am O grant I beseech thee that where thou art I may be also to the end I may behold thy Glory to all Eternity Then hearing some of the Company say that she spake well It is not I answered she that speak but the Holy Ghost that speaks in me to whom he has given the Tongue of the Learned O Hearken to me therefore and I will tell you what he has done for my Soul. O joyn with me in returning him thanks for his unspeakable Gift 2 Cor. 9.15 IN the mean time she frequently clapt her hands and shouted for joy often repeating these words O the greatness of my Happiness How can I express the content of my Soul That blessed Comforter has overcome for me and is sent to cohabit with me He I say is come to me who is the Fountain of Life and in whose Light alone we can see light How many wonderful favours have I receiv'd from my good God! Psal 116.10 What shall I render unto him for all the Benefits that he has done to me Gen. 32.10 who am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which he has shewn to his Servant and wherewith he has fill'd my Soul. Wherefore with joy and gladness my mouth shall praise his Holy Name O Lord how much inriched am I with those excellent gifts of thy Grace Thou hast wiped away all tears from my eyes Rev. 7.17 2.17 Thou bast given me the white Stone and in that Stone a new Name which no man knows saving he that has it I shall be fatisfied with the fatness of thy House Psal 36.8 and thou shalt make me drink of the River of thy Pleasures Psal 23. The Lord is my Shepherd therefore can I lack nothing He shall make me lie down in green Pastures and lead me forth beside the still Waters He shall convert my Soul and lead me in the paths of Righteousness for his Name 's sake Yea though I walk through the Valbey of the shadow of Death I will fear no evil for thou art with me thy Rod and thy Staff comforts me Thou preparest a Table before me thou hast anointed my heard with Oyl and my cup runs over Surely loving kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the House of the Lord for ever WHAT am I O Lord my Saviour What am I that thou shouldst vouchsafe to make my heart thy habitation I bless thee I adore thee I glorifie thee I give thanks to thee for thy great mercy O Lord my God and heavenly Father And you my dear Friends speaking to them that stood by help me to return the thanks and praise due unto his Name Which having said she cry'd aloud Luk. 1.46 My Soul does magnifie the Lord and my Spirit has rejoyced in God my Saviour for he has regarded the lowliness of his Hand-maid How great is the goodness of God towards me who has taken pity of me O how exceeding charitable and loving is my Saviour who has extended this his great love towards me even when I was an Enemy to him yea he did knock at the door of my heart and enter in even at that time when I would have shut it against him and spake peace to my Soul. O the Abyss of Mercy and Love that He very God and man should suffer a shameful Death upon the Cross to redeem both my Body and Soul from eternal Damnation O my God my heavenly Saviour I see as it were Rivers of Bloud running out of those Wounds in thy Blessed Hands Feet and Side which are as so many Rivers of Grace that have made me whiter than Snow I therefore from a true heart love adore and embrace thee beseeching thee O thou Sun of Righteousness to shine in my Soul inlighten it with the knowledge purifie it with the fear and inflame it with the love of Thee make it partaker of thy Holiness and happiness and when it has put off this weak and frail Body grant that at the last day it may re-assume it in a glorified state and both of them reign with thee for ever and ever Amen AS she was in those Transports of Mind looking up stedfastly to Heaven a Gentleman of the Neighbourhood then present said to the Lady her Mother That he thought her Daughter might very well say with Holy Stephen Behold Act. 7.56 I see the Heavens open'd and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God. Which the Patient hearing cry'd out Yea indeed I behold him and like St. Paul am placed in the view of things that are unspeakable And you my dear Friends how is it you don't see the same with me This Mercy which is not vouchsafed to every one God will shew you one day Then stirring up her self she said Psal 103.1 Praise the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me praise his Holy Name v. 2. Praise the Lord o my Soul and forget not all his Benefits Psal 34.1 Yea I will alway give thanks unto the Lord his praise shall ever be in my mouth v. 3. O praise the Lord with me and let us magnifie his Name together Let the whole World O God Psal 145.21 Woodf sing praise to thee And like mine may their Songs eternal be Oh how much in love am I with my Saviour for that he has heard my Prayer and inclined his Ear to me Therefore I will call upon him as long as I live Luk. 2.14 Glory be to God on high and on Earth peace good will towards men Lord v. 29. now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace according to thy Word For mine eyes have seen thy Salvation v. 36. AFTER she had rehearsed these and several other places of Scripture with which she often mixt these words Oh! how great is my Happiness how surpassing my Joy she did sit up in her Bed and with an admirable gracefulness spake to the Standers-by in this manner O taste and see Psal 34.8 Patr. as I have done And then confess you must That God is good and thy are blest That in his Goodness trust Come to me with attention hear v. 11. Sand. I will instruct you in his fear O come and hear all ye that fear God Psal 66.16 and I will declare what he has done for my Soul. v. 17. I cry'd unto him
was the lost Piece v. 9. Then a little while after this she with a loud voice cry'd out as one coming out of a deep Meditation Luk. 23.31 For if these things be done in the green tree what shall be done in the dry WHICH having said she now spoke no more to any body onely she once cried out O how much sorrow and joy how much grief and comfort do meet together in me and then lay down and fell into a slumber In which she had not long continu'd but the Pangs of Death came upon her she had vehement risings at her Stomach her Countenance was fallen sweat proceed from her Body in abundance the Ratling in her Throat increased and her Eyes grew dim and were distorted And being in this condition one of her Acquaintance by name Madam Herault touch'd her arm thinking she was a departing But she recover'd of this Fit and these Agonies being somewhat over her Eyes reassumed the same briskness and liveliness as before she rubbing them with both her hands to disperse the Clouds that had begun already to cover them Her Countenance also was restored to its former gaity and chearfulness and she was heard to make a Melody in singing the 84th Psalm How beauteous is the place where thou Patr. Thy presence Lord dost grant O how long t' approach thy Courts Impatient of restraint And so on THIS was a great surprize to many of them that were there and yet that was not all For after she had took a little breath and slumber'd as before a very little while she stirr'd up her self anew and began to sing the LXXXXII Psalm O what a pleasant task it is Patr. To praise the Lord above Morning and Evening to proclaim His faithfulness and love THUS far onely she went tuning it to the Treble of Claudin with all the Ornaments and Graces that could be And then falling again into the like slumber she remain'd in it as long as the first time after which she tun'd the LXXX Psalm whereof she sang these following Verses onely Thou Shepherd of thy ISRAEL Sandys That Flock-like leadest Joseph's Race Who 'twixt the Cherubims dost dwell O hear shew thy inlightning Face Exalt thy saving power before Manasseh Ephraim Benjamin O from Captivity restore And let thy beams upon us shine Great God of Battel wilt thou still Be angry and our Prayers despise Bread steep'd in tears our stomachs fill We drink the Rivers of our Eyes Our scoffing Neighbours fall at strife Among themselves to share our Right Great God restore the dead to life And comfort by thy quickning Light. AFTERWARDS being seized the fourth time with the Pangs of Death she so remain'd for the space of four hours and then being come to her self again she sang this Stanza Into thy hands Lord I commit My Spirit which is thy due Psal 31.5 Old Transl For why thou hast redeemed it O Lord my God most true THE Lady her Mother hearing her sing with so much strength said to her My dear Child since I have by God's Grace put the first word into thy mouth wherewith thou hast prais'd Him let me put in the last also I shall ever hear thee speak in this World And so she rehearsed these Verses God who my kind Preserver is I will for ever bless Psal 34.1 Patrick My tongue and lips shall be employ'd His Goodness to confess Which the Patient sang with a strong voice her Eyes being open and her looks smiling all the while Then her agonizing fit coming again upon her and the Lady her Mother not being able to see her expire bad her farewel with a most wonderful strength of mind Adieu said she dear Daughter 2 Sam. 12.23 adieu I shall go to thee but thou shalt not return to me We shall see one another again in that Blessed Day of the Resurrection of the Just And thereupon she withdrew and went and lay down upon her own Bed till her dying Daughter had given up her Soul into the hands of her Heavenly Father But above three hours after this the Chaplain Monsieur De Malnoe being desirous to see whether she had any sense left in her took her by the hand shook her arm and called to her to clinch his hand if she heard still and with that prickt her with a Straw but she gave no sign of life But as he was going out of the room her Body was re-animated on a sudden and sitting up again in her Bed she sang the second time Into thy hands Lord I commit My Spirit which is thy due For thy thou hast redeemed it O Lord my God most true THEN he drew near again and laying his Ear to her mouth heard her say to God Luk. 2.29 Lord now lettest thou shy servant depart in peace according to thy Word v. 30. For mine eyes have seen thy Salvation Which having utter'd she without stirring in the least breath'd forth three Sighs and so gave up the Ghost there being seen at the same time both in her Countenance and Eyes which remain'd half open a signal impression of Joy that shew'd her Soul had a taste of the Celestial Bliss even before the Bonds wherewith it was ty'd to the Body were wholly dissolv'd THE END Here follows the PRAYER Taken out of Mons Drelincourt's COMFORTS Against the Terrours of Death Which is mention'd in the 55th Page of this Book O GOD of all Flesh and Father of our Spirits I know that any Death of thy Beloved Ones is precious in thy sight and that whatsoever mine may be thou wilt take care of my Salvation I weighing every thing in the Balance of the Sanctuary do find it very little imports me whether my Life be taken away by a Disease or forc'd from me by Violence provided my Soul enter into thy Glory and be made Partaker of those unutterable Felicities that are with thee To me it must be all one whether my Lamp go out of it self or be blown out by any contrary wind so it be but kindled again at the Beams of the Sun of Righteousness and shine in the highest Heavens for evermore Whatsoever Death I die I shall be happy provided I die in the Lord and enter into that Eternal Rest from all my Labours O Lord thou knowest all thy works from everlasting Thou with one glance discoverest the deepest Abyss and seest to the very bottom of Eternity As thou hast precisely appointed the Hour of Death so hast thou been pleas'd also to determine the manner of it O Great and Living God! it is my Duty wholly to acquiesce in thy Adorable Providence and absolutely submit my self to thy wise Decrees But O my God my Heavenly Father if thou wilt vouchsafe me who am but dust and ashes the liberty of speaking to thee and permit thy Child to pour his / her heart 's desire into thy Fatherly Bosom I do with all the powers of my Soul humbly beseech