"rather fcalded and inflamed her more; where"upon her dear head became diftempered, which "put her upon impertinencies, and indeed I was "troubled thereat; for I propounded several "queftions in divinity to her; as-By whom, "and on what account, fhe expected falvation? ❝and, What affurance fhe had of the certainty "thereof? Though in other things fhe talked "at random, yet at the fame time to fuch quef❝tions as these she gave me as good an answer as "I could poffibly defire or expect; and at these "times I bid her repeat after me certain prayers " and ejaculations, which fhe always did with "much devotion, which was no little comfort and "admiration to me, that God should be so good "and gracious to her.

"A little before her dear foul departed, I was

gone to-bed; the fent for me to pray with "her: I got up and went to her, and asked her "how fhe did. Her anfwer was, that he was "but looking when the good should come, and "thereupon we went to prayers.

"She had her answers in the Common- Prayer"Book as perfect as if he had been in perfect health, and an Amen to every pathetic ex"preffion. When we had ended our prayers for the Vifitation of the Sick, we made ufe of

"those

thofe prayers which are in the book called "The Whole Duty of Man; and when I heard "her fay nothing, I urged her, and faid, My dear, "dost thou mind?-Yes, was the laft word "which the fpoke. I queftion not, my dear "hearts, but that the reading of thefe lines will « cause many falt tears to fpring from your eyes. "Yet this may be fome comfort to you, to think "(as I conclude) your dear mother a glorious "Saint in Heaven.

"I could have told you of many more of your "dear mother's excellent virtues, but I hope that 66 you will not in the least question my teftimony, "if in a few words I tell you that he was pious ❝and upright in her conversation.

"Now to that God who bestowed thefe graces "on her, be afcribed all honour, glory, and do"minion, the juft tribute of all created Beings, ❝ for evermore.-Amen.

"WILLIAM MOMPESSON,"

LETTER II.

TO SIR GEORGE SAVILLE, BARONET.

Eyam, Sept. 1, 1666.

"HONOURED AND DEAR SIR,

"THIS is the faddeft news that ever my pen "could write! The Deftroying Angel having "taken up his quarters within my habitation, my "dearest Dear is gone to her eternal reft, and is "invested with a crown of righteoufnefs, having * made a happy end.

«Indeed, had the loved herfelf as well as me, "fhe had fled from the pit of deftruction with "her sweet babes, and might have prolonged her "days, but that she was refolved to die a martyr "to my interest. My drooping fpirits are much "refreshed with her joys, which I think are un

"utterable.

"Sir, this paper is to bid you a hearty farewell "for ever, and to bring you my humble thanks "for all your noble favours (and I hope that you "will believe a dying man). I have as much love as honour for you, and I will bend my

*Patron of the Living of Eyam.

"feeble

❝ feeble knees to the God of Heaven, that you, "my dear Lady, and your children, and their "children, may be bleft with external and eternal "happiness, and that the fame bleffing may fall << upon my Lady Sunderland and her relations.

"Dear, Sir, let your dying Chaplain recommend "this truth to you and your family, that no hap"piness nor folid comfort can be found in this vale "of tears like living a pious life; and pray ever "retain this rule, Never to do anything upon "which you dare not first ask the bleffing of God upon the fuccefs thereof.

"Sir, I have made bold in my will with your "name for an executor, and I hope that you will "not take it ill. I have joined two others with (C you, that will take from you the trouble. "Your favourable afpect will, I know, be a "great comfort to my diftreffed orphans. I am *not defirous that they may be great, but good; "and my next requeft is, that they may be "brought up in the fear and admonition of the "Lord.

"Sir, I thank God I am contented to shake

hands with all the world, and have many com"fortable affurances that God will accept me upon "the account of his Son; and I find God more

good than ever I thought or imagined, and I "with

D 4

"wish from my foul, that his goodness were not "fo much abused and contemned.

"I defire, Sir, that you will be pleased to make "choice of an humble pious man to fucceed me "in my parfonage; and could I fee your face be"fore my departure from hence, I would inform 66 you which way I think he may live comfortably "amongst his people, which would be fome fatis"faction to me before I die.

દા

"Dear Sir, I beg your prayers, and defire

you to procure the prayers of all about you, "that I may not be daunted by all the powers of "Hell, and that I may have dying graces; that } "when I come to die, I may be found in a dying "posture; and with tears I beg, that when you "are praying for fatherless infants, that you "would then remember my two pretty babes.

"Sir, pardon the rude ftyle of this paper, " and if my head be difcompofed, you cannot wonder at me. However, be pleased to believe that "I am,

"Dear Sir,

"Your most obliged, moft affectionate,

" and grateful fervant,

" WILLIAM MOMPESSON."

LETTER