But vnto Gods children ſhe euer only afforded the deareſt pangs, the higheſt Degree of her kindeſt Affection[300]: Their company ſhe moſt loued, and they Hers. Not ſo much in regard of Her fauour towards them, which was great; but chiefly by reaſon of that ſpiritual Helpe and refreſhment, which they might get by conuerſing with Her in the choiceſt paſſages of Sanctification. For ſhee had the Art to vphold holy conferences about perplexities of conſcience, Relapſes into ſin, and Remedies againſt the ſame: Shee had the skill to beget many ioyfull Meditations of mortifying Grace and euerlaſting Glory: She had the Zeale to nouriſh Heauenly mindedneſſe, boldneſſe in the waies, and cheerefulneſſe in the exerciſes of Religion and Deuotion.
FOOTNOTES:
[294] S. Aug. Confeſſ. lib. 9. cap. 9.
[295] Doct. Prideaux Rector of Exceter College in Oxford.
[296] Greg. Nazian. in Laudem Gorgon. Orat. 25.
[297] S. Ier. ad Princip. Nuſquam ſine Matre &c.—
[298] Id. Epitaph. Fabiola.
[299] Prou. 31. 26.
Conſtant vſe of the Meanes of Saluation.
Touching Her ſubmiſſion to the Meanes of Saluation: O what delight ſhee tooke here and in London, to heare conſcionable and ſearching Sermons! It was Her onely Pleaſure in that Citie (as ſhe profeſſed) to frequent them there; yea what Griefe was it vnto Her (as it was vnto Saint Ambroſe) to heare of the Death of any of Gods zealous Miniſters[301]?