The most peevish and harsh of all Authors have written for the Instruction of Women I speak of Tertullian who besides the Book he wrote concerning the veil of Virgins hath composed another touching the Apparel of Women and a third concerning their Attires And if there be any harshness or asperity in those works as in all others of his Composure this harshness is at least magnificent and like the riches of Barbarians These asperities have a kinde of Dignity and Splendor They have something I know not what which shines and wounds which resembles unpolished Gold and misshapen Diamonds The holy Fathers have not only applyed Moral Philosophie and Rhetorick to the Instruction of Women but have made Poesie and the Muses serve to the same use And those severe ones who lived only of pure Light and Spirit did not conceive it unworthy the severity of their Life or the Sanctity of their Priesthood to measure Syllables to adjust Words to paint and flourish their Discourses to give a Relish to their Doctrines and Grace unto Vertue to instruct by divertisement and to make what is profitable passe under the Colour of delightfull Adhelâ—â—â—s who was one of the most learned Bishops of Scotland hath left us a Poem where Virginity Chastity Modesty Devotion and the other Vertues of Maids are adorned with all the Gold and pretious Stones of Parnassus which is the Peru of Poets We have likewise another of the same matter and form which Avitus Arch-Bishop of Vienna composed to Crown the Virginity of his Sister Fuscina And albeit this Crown be in the time of the first Lilies which were sent into France yet the Flowers thereof remain at present as fair and fresh after twelve hundred Yeers as if they were but newly gathered Thereby these two holy Bishops have rendred Honour to the Muses They have reconciled them to Chastity They have sanctified their Ornaments and Attires They have done to them what Moses and Aaron did with the Looking-glasses and Jewels of the Egyptian Ladies My designe is not to assemble here all the Authors who have contributed their Lucubrations and Writings to the Instruction of Women The Assembly would be too great for so narrow a space And it were to make a compleat Library of a Preface Such as I have alledged are sufficient to evince the Importance of this Instruction and to perswade that it forms at least the Moity of Christian Policy Could Doctors and Prelats so inlightned by God so penetrated by the Unction of the Holy Ghost so purified and heated by the Fire of the Altar lose their Fire in unprofitable Productions Have they consumed their Time and wearied their Hands to effect nothing considerable And would Saint Iohn himself have written to a Woman with the Pen of an Eagle wherewith he had written to the Angels and Churches of Asia wherewith he had made the first Draughts of what was before and will be after time if he had not believed that a Letter written to a Woman might be as Canonical and profitable as Letters directed to Angels and Churches These Reasons and Instances more powerful then any other have ingaged me in this Work My Pen is not the Pen of an Eagle like that of Saint Iohn I write not by the Wisdom and Light of the Holy Ghost as Solomon did I have no Gold to employ like Saint Chrysostome I fall very short of the Idea's and Conceptions of the alledged Fathers And if these great Saints and eminent Men did not believe that the matter upon which I Labour was unworthy of their Capacity and beneath their Idea's I ought not to fear that it may appear Noble and Precious enough for mine And no man ought to call in question the Utility of a Work whereof so many Learned Hands have left such excellent Models It is true that I have given a new sonn to this matter and altered the Shape and Figure of those Patterns There is a Philosophy more delightful and instructive then that Anatomized one read in the Schools Her Attractives are modest and accompanied with Force she hath no affected Dress and having a more lovely Aspect and better Fashion then the other she gives not less Edification nor a worse Example She doth not produce like that other crude and discoloured Axioms formless and dry Decisions She Beautifies them with exquisite Inventions with curious and coveted Figures She knows how to adde Lustre to Force and to give Grace and Dignity to what is solid I conceived that my Designe might fall into the hands and under the direction of this Inventive and pleasing Philosophie magnificent in Materials and rich in Designs And to the end she might not have all the trouble of the Work I have to her associated Portraiture Poesie and History which are three other illustrious and renowned Co-operatresses and these three associated to this noble Superintendent have framed this whole Structure which I consecrate to the Publick under the Title of The Gallery of Heroick Women This Title is not so limited as it may seem to some who know not Vertues but by the Draughts which Painters form of them and do not believe that there is any other Fortitude then that which they see with a Helmet on its Head and a Pillar on its shoulders This armed and robustious Fortitude is but subordinate to another general one which assists all the Vertues which is present in all great Actions which supports all good Works which is the Directress of all Heroes both in Peace and War It is to this Fortitude St. Ambrose and St. Gregory attribute after Plato the Victories of the Spirit over the Flesh those of Vertue over Fortune those of the Honest and Honourable Good over the Delightful and Profitable It is of this Fortitude Solomon speaks in that Picture where the Heroick Woman is drawn with so fair Colours and Crowned with so magnificent an â—â—ogy In effect Temperate and Chaste Women require Fortitude Loyal and Constant Women need it Modest Reserved and Devout Women need it as much And peradventure they require more then those presumptuous and haughty Gallants who fancy to themselves that they support States And that their Arms are the Pillars of Empires Courage is necessary both to bear handsomly the Chains of Marriage which though never so well gilded are yet painful and to endure its Yoke which is never so smooth as not to incommodate it is so needful to resist both pleasing and frightful Passions flattering and dreadful Objects It is requisite to regulate Love even that Love which is Honest and Lawful It is necessary to bridle Lawful Joyes and innocent Pleasures to moderate obligatory Sorrows and Afflictions authorized by Nature and Custom In a word there is no Christian or Moral Vertue to which Courage is not required And for this Reason my Gallery hath a larger extent then the Frontispiece doth promise There is room for all Vertuous Women by what Names soever they are called And the Prudent
the Chaste the Faithful the Couragious the Constant the Pious may all enter into it and keep their degrees there under the Title of Heroick VVomen The assembly of these Gallant Women might be greater then I have made it And albeit Solomon was troubled to finde one single Heroick VVoman yet since his Time enough have appeared to Plant here a whole Colonie Of all this great Number I have chosen twenty of the most Renowned all Illustrious amongst them And not to produce them confusedly in disorder I have divided them into four Squadrons The first of Jewish Woman The second of Barbarian VVomen to take the word Barbarian in the same sence as it was understood by the Grecians The third of Roman and the fourth of Christian VVomen I exhibite a Picture of each and the Subject of this Picture is taken from the most resplendent and couragious part of her Life Besides these Pictures are not meerly superficial carry a bare outside like those of Philostrates who was content to express what was visible to copy out the draughts of the Pencil with the strokes of his Pen. They represent chiefly the Interior that secret part which cannot be disclosed or expressed but by Philosophers They discover all the Features Motions of the Heart all the Postures and Colours of the Soul And the Scope of it which is wholly Moral aims more at the Manners then at the satisfaction of the Eye Every Picture is accompanied with a Sonnet which is another piece drawn in little And the Sonnet is seconded by an Historical Elogie where the Life of the Heroess is abbreviated which serves for the Subject of the Picture I adde a Moral Reflection to the Elogie which tends more directly and immediately to the Benefit and Regulation of Manners And there I mark out what is most profitable and instructive in the preceding Example I establish practical Axioms and draw from thence useful consequences I advertise Women of their Duties and obligations and cause them to take in by Grains and Drops the pure spirit of Christian Philosophie and the extraction of her Maximes which they scarce receive but with distaste in Books where it is without seasoning and in grosse In sequence of this Reflection and in order to the Maximes which are given therein I propose a Moral Question in which there is enough to satisfie the Intellectual part and to fortifie the Appetitive And after the having decided it to the advantage of Vertue and to the edification of those Women I desire to instruct I confirm my Decision by a Modern Example which I take either at our own Door or fetch it from our Neighbours to the end being seen neer at Hand it may make the deeper impression and act with more Vigour Besides these Examples are all illustrious and Heroick They contain great and wonderful things And I have chosen them of this form to teach such as run after the Fantomes of Romances that Truth is not only instructive but also more delightful and divertising then falshood and that natural Bodies are more Luminous and Graceful then all the Apparitions and Specters which Magick Art produceth As for the Heathen Women which I bring upon the Stage I place them not there as perfect Models I know very well that their Vertues have been but rough drawn And that wanting the light of Faith they remain imperfect But I know also that such fair rough drawn Vertues are presented there as we may gather from thence wherewith to form excellent pieces And by the same reason that the Son of God alleadged Ninâ—ve against Jerusalem and proposed Tyre to Judea one may alleadge the Heathen and Barbarian against Christian Women one may well propose Pantheas to Catherins and Zenobias to Agathas I particularly declare that I do not pretend to justifie the Death of those who slew themselves with their own Hands what Colour soever the Philosophie of that time gave to their Deaths and with what paint soever the Poets have set them forth If they had the Force and greatnesse of Courage it was enormous and disproportioned it was a greatnesse beyond limit or compasse Nevertheless this doth not hinder that these enormous and great disproportioned Women may have something of imitation One may frame by a Colossus a Figure of a middle and very exact Stature In Moral Philosophie as well as in Logick Errour may be serviceable to Truth And a good consequence may be drawn from a bad Principle Behold what I had to say in order to the designe and structure of this Work I have nothing to adde to what hath been said but these few words with which S. Ambrose concludes the second Book he dedicated to Virgins Since the tasts of men are so different and that there are as many Opinions as Heads If any Neatness and Care appear in some places of my Discourse those places can justly displease no Man If there be any mature and serious ones they will please the Palat of those in whom the Maturity of understanding accompanies the Maturity of Age If any be found flowered and delightful they will not offend such as are in the Age of the Flowers of Grace and Men will grant me that it is no lesse necessary to write for these Persons then for others There remains nothing more for me to say to the Reader He may enter into my Gallery when he pleaseth The Door is open to him DEBORE 〈…〉 THE GALLERY OF HEROICK WOMEN The Gallant Jewes DEBORA THIS Country so delightfull to the eye and so adorn'd with the riches and ornaments of Nature is the western Part of Palestine You cannot choose but know it at first sight by that verdure which makes it enjoy as it were a perpetuall spring And by those tufts of Palms and Cedars which serve as naturall Garlands to crown it These Towns and Cities which appear afar off are not built by the Israelites They have as yet erected in this Country nothing but flying Towns and walking Cities They have only built with Canvas and Cordage All their Houses have been hitherto but field habitations And during the obstinate and continual wars wherein they were imployed their thoughts were more taken up in rendring souldiers warlike and forming Captians then in hiring Masons and making Architects Besides at present the whole Countrey is fild with the rumour of wars and preparrd against the Cananites Ten thousand men selected out of two Tribes are rlready advanced towards Mount Thabor And the men you behold in arms about the great Palm are the most remarkable of the people whom Debora the Prophetesse and Governesse of Israel retained with Barac to instruct them in the discipline of war and excite them to act gallantly You never beheld a Tribunall like that of this Governesse Surely their enters more splendor and pride in the Thrones of Kings but lesse naturall Majesty and true Glory This is not the work of a year nor the master-peece of a
Carver It is of the Suns own modeling that Illustrious and universall Artist which forms Mettalls and precious Stones And you may belieâ—e that having wrought a whole age to perfect it he hath not kept from thence that soveraign spirit and those pleasing Rayes which draw respect in dazeling the sight The greatest splendor and the chiefe glory thereof neverthelesse is derived to it from Debora who gave it her Name and chose it for the Seat of her Justice The Graces when she gives Audience under this Palme serve her son Herralds and Guards And at all the Decrees she pronounceth every lease seems pliable to crowne her words Surely also no woman was ever heard to speak more soveraingly nor with an Authority accompanied with more sweetnesse and efficacy Prophesie and Law were never expounded by a more powerfull Mouth And it is a wonder that all the Offices of Regal Dignity being so weighty and combersome are not felt by so beautifull a head She often gave Judgements and composed differences under this Palme At present she gives our Orders for the Combate and exhorts her Officers and within a few houres you shall see her upon the head of Troops joyning action to Command and contributing by her courage and example to the victory which she her self had prophesied Though you hear not her words and that even her voice doth not reach you yet her very Countenance is intelligible and perswasive Her Gesture and Looks give vigour and lustre to her speech And from her very eyes which are the two fairest peeces of her Eloquence there issues forth something I know not what of vigour and brightnesse which would make it self to be understood by the deafest persons and perswade the most incredulous which would even cast fire into the coldest and excite the most drowsie and stupid souls Barac and the other chief Commanders by hearing her took a second courage and a new zeal They fight already in desire and thought in the agitation of their hearts and with the fiercenesse of their looks The encounter is hot in their imagination and the vanquish'd enemies are forced to flie There is not a Souldier so ill armed there is not a Commander so little versed in war who hath not victorious visions who alone and without striking a blow puts not a whole Troop of Canaanites to flight who figures not to himself the possessing the Head of their General and the Crown of their King loaden with chains But as yet there is not one drop of blood shed in their imaginary Combats there is not a Launce broken nor a dart thrown And it would be fine sport to the enemies if they had no other defeat to fear There is another field of battel and other dangers which attend them they shall have no occasion to defend themselves at so great a distance and to fight against Apparitions And by a revolution which they expect not and humane Prudence cannot prevent their fortune which they believe to be so well established and guarded by so great a multitude of armed chariots and offensive engines will be suddenly ruined by two VVomen See how this Palme already crowns one of them she bears not onely the Name of Debora but seems to be animated by her spirit and to possesse like her a warlike soul and a prophetick Instinct Her verdant youth more gay and pleasing then ordinary is a presage of victory Her very arms embracing the Queen Regent applaud her promises and infuse courage into her Auditors You would say that they congratulate her approaching Triumph and demand for their share of the booty a Trophy of the arms of the enemies General But behold Debora armed and ready for the Combat her elevated arm testifies the impatience of her zeal and her heart appears already inflamed in her eyes and on her face Her grace neverthelesse is not altered by it her animosity is becoming and modest and from this little fiercenesse which is as the flower or cream of choler and a tincture of zeal added to her other natural attractives a third quality and a mixture of courage and sweetnesse is formed which will work a double effect upon the Enemie and at once and in an instant imprint in them both terrour and reverence SONNET DEBORA speaks A conquâ—ring Sybil I a Prophetesse With Voice and Arm serv'd Israel in distresse My Prophesies and brave exploits made Fame Through Idumea trumpet forth my Name My just Decrees beneath the Palme did cause My Words to be erected into Laws The Character to Kings and Judges given My brow did wear stampt by the band of Heaven What cannot Vertue do with Beauty grac'd My self without a purple Robe she plac'd In such a blest Regality as nere Knew what Conspiracies or Rebels were Without or Guard or Forts I was secure I did not make my Subjects necks endure The yoke of Cittadels but having gain'd Th' Affection of their Hearts I freely reignd ELOGIE OF DEBORA HISTORY doth not furnish us with a Gallant Woman more ancient then Debora to whom I give the first place in this Gallery She succeeded Moses and Joshua and inherited from the first the Spirit of Prophesie from the second Courage and military vertue and from both Authority and Magistracy Priesthood excepted she exercised all the Offices and filled up all the Dignities of that time and out of her divided graces a Prophet a Judge and Captain was formed Her Audiences had something I know not what of military she exercised there a kinde of field Magistracy and gave them under a Palme of her own Name which served her for a Tribunal of Triumph and crown'd her Decrees as well as her Victories God having chosen her to break the yoke of his people and to redeem them from the bondage of the Canaanites she assisted with her Person in the battel given them by Baraâ— and contributed her conduct predictions and courage to the glory of that day She contributed thereunto even her last hopes and though the were a Widow and that her husband had lest her but a spark of what remained to make use of a sacred word yet she hazarded in that fight with this spark the resource of her blood the foundation of her house and the seed of her posterity I speak according to the sence of the Doctors who believed that Barac was the Son of this excellent Mother that he became a Souldier and Captain under her discipline and had learn'd of her how to fight and overcome So that in his time to joyn my words with those of S. Ambrose a Widow was seen governing a holy Nation a Widow distributing rights and arbitrary duties a Widow mediating between God and his people a Widow ordaining peace and war a Widow directing combats and victories a Widow leading an Armie nay the Mother and Commandresse of the General of an Armie And the untractable and mutinous Jews whom no human prudence could govern in time of peace faint hearted and vanquish'd Jews whom
be not prepared against the 〈◊〉 misfortune And if you have afforded a place of retreat to some Soveraign passion to some Capital and commanding vice Remember that you are bound in honour both to betrâ—y it and to keep no faith with it as it is a Sisera to you so ought you to be a Jahel to it and you shall be to it an Heroick and victorious Jahel if you â—ull it asleep with the blood of the Lamb and plane a Nail of the Cross in the Head of it A MORAL QUESTION Whether there was Infidelity in the Act of Jahel THe act of Jahel is not numbred amongst those which instantly gain approbation and which at first sight informs the understanding The colour of it is not so beautifull nor the face of it so taking There appeareth therein much dexterity and courage but there is deâ—â—ipt in this address and this courage hath something of barbarous in it 〈◊〉 the breach of faith seems in that action very evident cabinet and chamber 〈◊〉 cannot fail to fill their Common places therewith and to compose a piece against the infidelity of women But here and every where else we must defie seeming illusions and the false lights of the superficieâ—â— We must beware of fastning our opinions upon the 〈◊〉 of things and of judging by the colour The outside 〈◊〉 deceitful and 〈◊〉 into beliefe And very often colours are more 〈◊〉 and have more Justice about vice then vertue Moreover since the holy Ghost himself hath set forth the praise of Jahel since he hath inspired her with a prophetick mouth and hath even dictated it to one of his writers we need not fear to hazard our esteem upon his approbation not make a scruple to honour the memory of a vertue whereof he hath lest us the 〈◊〉 and picture after his own manner There was then prudence and conduct addresse and courage in this action of Jahel and particularly fidelity which is questioned was herein couragious and magnanimous It was fortified with zeal and consecrated to Religion I know not whether Jahel might owe something to Sisera and the Canaanites who were the enemies of God Tyrants over his people and publick oppressors of the posterity of the Patriarchs But I know very well that she could not engage unto them a second faith against the first which she owed to God against the Law of her forefathers and to the ruine of that holy nation A treaty of this nature had been an Apostaâ—ie of State and Religion and she could not have kept her word without the breach of her saith without betraying her brethren without sinning against God and Moses The Holy Scripture very well observes that there was some kinde of peace between the house of her husband Hebar and the Canaanites But this was not a regular peace and according to usual forms It was but a good interval hardly and dearly purchased by the weakest side It was but 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and pillages which the Canaanites accorded to the house of Hebar in respect of the contributions they drew from them And doubtlesse this Accord on Hebars part was without preâ—udice to the faith he owed to God and his people and this particular repose which he purchased was not a falling off from the common cause It was in all probability of the same nature as particular Treaties are now adayes between common people residing upon Frontiers who 〈◊〉 and sword with money who divert the â—undation and inâ—oad of the Enemie by contributions which they lay upon them this is properly called and without abusing the term so conâ—ure a tempest and charm wilde beasts But these charms and comutations do not binde the Common people who put them in practise They live within the limits of 〈◊〉 and under the duty of joyning as occasion serves with the Troop of their 〈◊〉 of maâ—â—hing against the common enemie of 〈◊〉 the same beasts which they themselves had enchanted The Treatie of Hebar with the Canaanites was in this form It was not a surrender of his right not a dispensation of his duty It was an innocent Charm against 〈◊〉 and sword against Tyrants and oppressors And the waâ— undertaken against them proceeding from the will of God 〈◊〉 by expresse revelation and declared by the Regâ—nâ— Prophetâ—â— as he might list himself without any â—reachers amongst the Troops and â—oyn hiâ— Arms with the common Armâ— for the liberty of the people In Jahel with a good Conscience and meâ—â—t might let her hand to the same work the might be aâ—ding by her 〈◊〉 and forces to break the Chaâ—â— of her brethren she might finish by a particular inspiration the victory which Debora had begun with publick Authority and by the Spirit of Prophesie This particular inspiration supported the common Interest and strengthened natural reason And Jahel exâ—ited on the one side and perswaded on the other exposed for the people both her life and reputation to a hazardouâ— enterprise and which might leave her an ill â—ame Thereby the performed an 〈◊〉 Act of fidelity towards God whom she obeyed towards the â—aw of her Ancesters which she established by the ruine of the opposite Power towards her people whole â—oke she brake and whose chainâ— she rent in pieces towards posterity to which she conserved both Religion and the Sanctuary Freedom and Hope Neverthelese this Act is reckoned amongst those extrâ—ordinary oneâ— which surpaâ—â— received Laws and exceed such measures as are in use It may well 〈◊〉 us admiration and respect but we cannot 〈◊〉 a model of it and draw copies from thence And since Fidelity is an essential part in a Gallant Woman it is proper to produce some exampleâ— whereby vertue all Pure and without the least appearance of stain may serve as well for Imitation as Shew EXAMPLE Joan of Beaufort Queen of Scotland and Catherine Douglas IT is with the History of Scotland as with those frightful pictures wherein nothing is represented but dead and wounded Bodies nothing but fired houses and ruines One cannot ingage himself in it without passing over blood and murthers nay even upon sacred blood and paracide murthers and it is very strange that so little a crown should be divided by so many factions and so often stained with the death of those who have worn it That of James the First was a Tragedy which might passe for an Oriâ—â— either in the time of 〈◊〉 or in the Age of Oedipus But as there is never any Age represented so cruel wherein some person of good life doth not interâ—â—ne who reads not upon the stage lessons of Vertue and corrects the scandal which others give Two women who were present at the death of this good Prince gave an example of Fidelity which cannot be seen now adayes in history without applauding and 〈◊〉 it at least in thought The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 a Scotchman being possessed with the Ambition of 〈◊〉 which is a bloody Devil and the Instigator of Paracid◠〈◊〉 against his Nephew King
James and because he could not depose him but by death resolved to have his head to obtain his crown This resolution 〈◊〉 taken and obstinately determined he seeks out trusts and resolute Executioners and without going out of his own 〈◊〉 he found some who were truly fit instruments for such an undertâ—â—â—â— At the appointed day a Groom of the Kings Bed-chamber 〈◊〉 them in and shews them the door without defence This Traitor 〈◊〉 the â—arl had taken away the bolt as if he meant to corrupt and 〈…〉 it to his crime All things being preparâ—d for the Execution and the moment of the last Act approaching an Officer discovered the Conspirators and desiring to 〈◊〉 the Kings Bedchamber from whence he newly came he drew upon himself their first blows and the prologue of their fury At the 〈…〉 Assassinate Catherine Dâ—â—glas who was attending on the 〈…〉 to the door and finding it without any stay and uncapable 〈…〉 her courage and necessity which is inventive 〈…〉 thing defensive makes her arm supply the place of 〈…〉 Groom of the Chamber had taken away 〈…〉 had been as strong as her heart the door would have 〈…〉 and sword nay even against Engines and Canon◠〈…〉 for this use it was broken at the first assault and the 〈…〉 over the belly of the faithful Lady entred furiously 〈…〉 who had no other guard then his Queen This good and couragious Princess was no way frighted at the glittering of so many swords already staind with blood and even reaking with the murther which was newly committed at the door She boldly advanced before her husband and alone acted the part of al the Archers of his Guard But the match was too unequal and fidelity being abandoned and without arms could not resist a multitude nor overcome an armed Furie The King being thrown on the ground the Queen cast herself upon him and covered him with her body to the end at least he might not be wounded but through her wounds nor receive death but through her own Her Sex was not respected the Vertues and Graces of her person proved no Sanctuary to her she received two blows upon her husbands body and these furious Murtherers having at last by Violence taken her from him the poor Prince being mangled all over with wounds rendered up his soul in the tears and blood of his wife The Author of this execrable Patricide and the cruel executioners who had assisted him with their hands carried not far the blood of their Prince Divine Justice and the revenging Angel of Kings followed them by the track and voice of this blood which cryed out against them and there was none of them which was not brought to condigne punishment there was made the same example in several spectacles and the people had full leasure to be instructed and to glut themselves with their punishment The detestable Earl of Athâ—e was reserved for the last act of the Tragidy which lasted three dayes in each of which he appeared under several Engines of torment and terrour with a Crown of hot iron upon his head And thereby unfortunatly and contrary to his own sense was verified the vain prediction of a woman who had assured him that he should be one day solemnly crowned and before a great assembly of people We may learn by this History that the Majesty of Kings is sacred that their blood and lives are holy things and that there is in Heaven a particular Tribunal and selected Executioners established against those who violate them From hence also it is learnt that the end of Ambition is commonly bloody and tragical and that it is a dangerous thing and full of hazard to commit crimes and to attempt upon the promises of a Fortune-Teller In fine to return to my subject we are taught thereby that the strength of hands is not necessary for the force of Action that delicate and polished Graces can do as much as couragious and strong Vertues and that Women are no lesse capable of an Heroick and eminent fidelity then Men. IVDITH 〈…〉 Iudith THIS strong place which seems to be borne upon the top of this Rock is the Citie of Bethulia And this Camp which takes up all the Plain about it is the Camp of the Asâ—yrians who besiege it You may boldly approach it and pass securely and without fear even to the Tent of Holofernes Wine and sleep have defeated all the Courts of Guards They have not left a Centinel which was not laid on the ground even the Fires which should watch for the whole Camp become drowsy and are half extinguished You would say that they have been corrupted or forgotten the ancient Discipline Do not accuse the liberty of the Souldiers nor the negligence of the Commanders A stronger vertue then the Souldiers and a greater Authority then the Officers hath overcome them both and conâ—ounded the duties and orders of War This defeat without murther or effusion of blood is a blow from the Angel of Israel who is come in person to defend the Frontiers of his Countrey He hath made darknesse which hath something I know not what of resemblance with that which he heretofore caused in Egypt And the Night was advanced by his command to contribute its silence and obscurity to the great Action which he prepares But this obscurity serves onely for the enemies of the people of God this intelligent night is discreet like that of Egypt it knows how to distinguish the faithful and to put a difference of persons That which is cloudy and dark for other shall be light for us And were there nothing but the brightnesse of these luminous spirits added to the resplendency of the zeal and eyes of Judith which seem to infire all the pretious stones of that stately Pavillion yet there would be enough to discern from thence the Tragedie which is begun in the Tent of Holofernes All things are disposed there to a strange revolution and this fatal conjuncture hath in an instant reduced to extremity the life of Holofernes the honour of Judith and the safety of Bethulia The gallant and victorious Widow who so couragiously exposeth her honour for the safety of her people hath but this moment to manage and if she doth not happily manage it and with successe there is an end of her honour and the safety of her people there is an end of Bethulia even of Jerusalem it self and of the Temple besieged in Bethulia It is her work to save all this and all this cannot be done but by one stroak and by the death of Holofernes Behold how she is prepared to give this fatal and important blow which must cut of an hundred and fifty thousand-heads and restore spirit and heart to twelve desolate Provinces She did not cause Legions or armed Elephants to march before her she came not accompanied with Giants or Engins of war she is only invironed with Beauty and Graces But it is a bold and victorious Beauty they are magnanimous
be afraid Of him thou hast thy humble Captive made Well may thy Arm his Head and Body part Who with thy â—â—es hast from him torn his Heart THE ELOGIE OF JVDETH IT is not necessary for me to say who Judeth was and what Act she hath done she is sufficiently known to every one For above the space of two thousand yeers she is in all Countreyes and in the sight of all Nations still cutting off the Head of Holofernes and raising the siege of Bethulia This part of her life hath been indeed the most radiant and remarkable but peradventure not the most laborious or Heroick and she more easily defeated Holofernes invironed with a whole Armie then Pleasure and Grief Covetousnesse and Fear then her own Beauty and Youth She was victorious nevertheless in all sorts of conflicts and got the upper hand both of pleasing and terrifying Enemieâ— At the Death of her Husband she overcame Grief by resignation and shewed that with the blood of Patriarchs her Predecessors she had inherited their Faith and Constancie This first Adversary being mastered the overcame also Idlenesse Pleasures and the latter Affections which are the second and most dangerous Enemies of young Widows She not being able to renounce her Youth nor to be rid of her Beauty which were to her like suspected Domesticks and hard to be preserved she kept them continually shut up and likewise â—â—aring lest they should make an escape she weakned them by Prayer Labor â—asting and Hair-cloth She grew warlike by these Domestick and Private Combats and prepared her self all alone and in one single night for this famous Field in which the Fortune of the Assyrians was ruined by the Blow received from the Hand of a victorious Woman and the Head of a vanquished Man Besides in this so magnanimous and perillous an enterprise she was to overcome not only a man whom Love had disarmed and Wine and Sleep had secured but to overcome the power of Gold to which armed Legionâ— submit and strong Forts are rendered she was to overcome the sparklings of pretious stones which wound even souls which are 〈◊〉 to the sharpest point of swords she was to overcome pleasures which is stronger then valour it self and triumpheth every day over the Victorious Besides these pleasing and flattering enemies certain cruel and terrible ones presented themselves which she was likewise obliged to overcome Her Enterprise could not prove successeful to her but by miracle and if it took no effect she was to passe through all the hands of a furious Army she must suffer all the punishments and Deaths which inraged Tyranny can inflict she measured all these punishments and numbred all these Deaths And upon a serious consideration of them all the undertook in their very sight and presence this memorable Action by which with one stroak she shewed her self not onely more couragious and valiant but more intelligent and prudent then all Judea which she preserved and all Assyria which she overcame A MORAL REFLECTION WOmen have not every day Holofernes's to vanquish but every day they have occasion to fight against excess vanity delights and all pleasing and troublesome passions The memory of this Heroick Woman may instruct them in all the enterprises and exercises of this war which though made in shadow and without effusion of blood ceaseth not to be laborious and made with vigour of spirit and stability of courage Let them learn then from this illustrious and glorious Mistresse to discipline their graces and to give to them devotion and zeal To imprison dangerous Beauty and to take from it all the weapons wherewith it might offend Let them learn from her to reform Widowhood and to put themselves under the yoke of God after they are free from that of men Let them learn from her to be loyal to the memory of their deceased Husbands never to divorce themselves from their Names and to place under their ashes all the fire which may be remaining in them as for this celebrious Act by which Judith overcame all Assyria a Tent and struck off with one blow the head of a whole Armie It teacheth men that Heroick Vertue proceeds from the Heart and not the Sex that valour clothed with iron is not alwayes 〈◊〉 and that the weakest and most tender hands may 〈◊〉 the safety of Nations when God directs them A MORAL QUESTION Concerning the Choice which God hath made of Women for the preservation of States reduced to Extremity IT is noted in the Book of Judges and observed there as a wonder and prodigâ—â—â— that meeknesse was once born of force and that nourishment 〈◊〉 from the 〈◊〉 of him that devoutâ— It is a wonder which 〈…〉 of prodigie and which nevertheless hath not been yet observed that 〈◊〉 is a portion of meekness and that the handâ— accused to have been the Authoâ—â— of Death have brought safety and given 〈◊〉 However this second wonder is true and no lesse surprizing then the first not lesse proper to frame a 〈◊〉 Problem and a specious 〈◊〉 The examples thereof are likewise less 〈◊〉 and more known 〈…〉 to be seen of them almost in all the Regions of History And God hath renewed them aâ— often as he hath chosen the handâ— of Women other to establish tottering States or to support their 〈◊〉 The great wonder in this is that God hath almost made this choice 〈…〉 Counsels and Hope and in the last confusion 〈…〉 And in occasions wherein the Arms of the strong were 〈…〉 Heads exhausted he hath raised up Women who 〈…〉 the valiant and 〈◊〉 who have taken away 〈…〉 and the Sword held over the Head of Nations who have chased away from surrendred â—owns Armies already victorious who 〈…〉 and Courage to vanquished King who 〈…〉 and fallen Crown It suffiâ—â—th to believe that such works are not done but by the hand of God and with much of hiâ— spirit and by the Vertue of miracles There are nevertheleâ—â— appearances and Reasons within the reach of out sight which in this particular make good his Providence 〈…〉 Power appears therein more independant and his Wisdâ—m 〈◊〉 infallible and 〈◊〉 There is very often Deâ—eption in 〈◊〉 Thought and mistake 〈…〉 in our Terms We take Force 〈…〉 and that which we call Power ought to be called 〈…〉 and a Weaknesse with a great Train 〈…〉 was to be truly powerful to take Towns and overcome 〈…〉 Canons and other Armâ— but with broken Poâ—â— and 〈…〉 This were to be extraordinarily strong not to throw 〈…〉 with many Engine but to break in 〈…〉 with blowing on the â—ace of it to â—leave a Mountâ—â—n with 〈◊〉 of Snow And the Art as well as the Courage of 〈…〉 might be called Divine who in the sight of a Storm should 〈…〉 with â—ails of 〈◊〉 and with a 〈◊〉 of Paper It â—utes very neer with the manner of Gods acting when in the Tumult of 〈◊〉 and amidst the 〈◊〉 of falling States he 〈◊〉 the Arms of 〈◊〉 and the Heads
to fancy or opinion and will submit all that she can reasonably and with decency to lawfull Customes and to instructed and cultivated Nature But having once satisfied these duties of tendernesse which proceed more from the superficies then the bottome of the heart she will reserve her self for more solid and serious duties of greater force and use wherein her affection and fidelity may act more profitably and be produced with more honour and reputation The weak widows who raise up a heavie and slothfull sadness to a degree of Vertue and the wilfull who glory in an incurable grief will oppose to these duties the example of the widow Palme I mean of that Palme from which the Male is taken away She is never cured as they say of her driness which is her affliction and what care soever is taken to reestablish her she dies at length languishing and of I know not what secret disease which resembles our Melancholy However it fares with the widowhood of the Palme which is but a Metaphoricall and figurative widowhood as her love is but symbolicall and allegoricall If it be lawfull to make comparisons and render figure for figure I will say that a prudent widow ought to leave unto weak souls examples of weakness which resides in the lowest story of souls and to seek out in the Region of light and pure spirits patterns of a generous mourning and of an active and well governed affliction She will performe during a widowhood of many yeers what the Moon doth during a widowhood of few hours An obscurity is seen upon the face of the Eclipsed Moon And this obscurity is to speak properly but the sadness and mourning of her widowhood occasioned by the interposition of the Earth between her and the Sunne But this sadness which deprives her of colour takes not away her force It makes her not descend from her Elevation nor diverts her course Though she appears black to us yet she forbears not to keep her Station and to move regularly and in order And her mourning doth not hinder her from following the conduct of her Intelligence The affliction of the sage Widow ought to be just and regular like that of the Moon Her mourning ought not to deject her heart nor discompose her carriage It ought not to obscure the light of her soul nor retard the activity she owes either her House or the Republique to which she is after the death of her Husband what the Moon is to the World in the absence of the Sunne Her affliction is not exempted from these duties and her Sex gives her no dispensation for them The Widow and afflicted Turtle doth not abandon the care of her neast and the feeding of her little ones And the Mother Eagle when the Male is taken from her doth not forbear to prey and make warre upon Serpents There are examples enough of this Active and Couragious Widowhood of this reasonable and well ordered sorrow of this discreet and magnanimous mourning This which I am going about to propose is Illustrious and full of Reputation and the sight of it ought to be so much the more delightfull in respect a Copy of it is now drawn which posterity will esteem no lesse then its Originall EXAMPLE Blanch of Castile Queen Regent of France SPain boasts to have produced Artemisias as well as antient Lidea And she boasts not of them without reason The chiefest point is that she hath produced them as Quarries of stone produce fair Statues Their matter was indeed of Spain but the lineaments and beauty of their Figure they owe to France Blanch the Mother of St Lewis was one of these Artemisia's born in Spain and formed in France Her Race was one of the most Illustrious and Remarkable in that Countrey The Mines of Gold and the Veins which bear the most Precious stones were not so rich nor famous And we may say that her Heroick life and great actions were to the greatness of her birth what a rare Figure is to rare Matter She was the most respected and renowned of four Crowned Widows who in their time were the honour of their Condition Sex and Age. The first was Margarite of France sister to Philip the August who had the Courage to undertake a Warre against Infidels and to go seek out in the Holy-Land honourable and renowned Dangers and Crowns Blessed by God and Men. No lesse Courage was requisite for Queen Blanch to consent to the Expedition of her Son Lewis against the Turk and his enterprizes beyond the Seas then was necessary for Margarite to begin a holy Warre and to ingage her self by an expresse Vow in dangers of the Sea and Warre And whatsoever the most Malignant interpreters of the best actions may say of it who avouch in despite of History that Blanch perswaded St. Lewis to take a Journey into Syria that she might Reigne a second time by a second Regency It is certain that this Crosiad or holy Warre was the heaviest cross of her life the punishment of her heart and the torment of her soul the death of her pleasures and joys And the Couragious Queen since the very moment her Son left her did nothing but suffer in minde and fight in imagination Nothing but dangers and objects of fear were presented before her Eyes And in the Loâ—â—er it self she was continually tossed by Tempests and thought her self in danger of suffering shipwrack with her Son every day she was a Prisoner and sick with him and every night she died by the Hand of some Arsacide or Sarazâ—n whom her apprehensions and dreams represented to her The second illustrious Widow of her time was Hedâ—â—ga Dutchess of Silecia The Church to which appertains the Crowning of Vertues rendred Honour to her long and difficult Repose to her painful and laborious Solitude And judged her worthy to be Canonized after a Widowhood of thirty years spent in a Monastery The Vertue of Blanch had need of no lesse Consâ—ancie at Court Her Widowhood was no lesse laborious her Devotion no lesse servent nor less exercised or profitable in that place and she required no lesse Courage against the pleasures of the Palace and the Pride of Authority then was necessary for 〈◊〉 amidst the Ausâ—ctities and Humiliations of a Religious Life Elizabeth of Hungary was the third Widow who honoured this Age so fruitful in Soveraign Examples and Crowned Vertues Her Charity and Works of Mercie retain still a good odour in the Church and edifie the faithful It is reported that the Emperor Frederick the second who was present at the opening of her Tomb made an offering to her of three Crowns of Gold And by this Ceremonie crowned in one single Person a holy Virgin a holy Wife and a holy Widow The Charity of Queen Blanch was practised in a higher degree then that of Elizabeth Her works of Mercie were more universal more necessary of greater use and better Example The poor were not only entertained and the