An Exact NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE and DEATH Of the Renowned Dutchess DUDLEY Who departed this Life in her House neer the Church of St. Giles in the Fields, Januarii 22. Anno 1669. in the XC. year of her Age.

WE never read of any that were blamed for
drawing of too much water out of the
Well of Life, I mean for devoting themselves
with an earnest assiduity to the reading
and study of Gods Word: Neither can we possibly
give too much honour to the Lord of Glory, and
King of Saints, though we should put our inventions
upon the rack, and scrue up our expressions to the
highest.
There be many ways and divers means, whereby
God may be glorified by us, but none more effectual
and powerful to the advancement of his glory, than by

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acknowledging with due praises the many eminent
Virtues, which as so many Rivulets stream into
the Souls of the Saints from the everlasting Spring of
Divine Grace. They glorified God in me, so said
S. Paul of himself, Gal. 1.24. Who, though he stiled
himself out of the depth of humility the chiefest of
sinners, and the least of Saints; yet in Gods esteem he
was as great as the greatest of the Latter, and Less then
the least of the former.
Now to the glory of God which is the aim of my
weak endeavours to the praise of his eternal goodness
which should be the object of yours I shall,
by his Blessing and Divine Assistance, discharge a duty
which is pattern'd to us by the practice of the Heathens,
Jews, and Christians in all ages; it is to present to
the view of your Meditations one of the Fairest Flowers
in the Garden of Gods Church, one for her Saintship
of the highest Stars in this lower firmament,
whilst I embalm the memory of the most Virtuous deceased
Dutches D. with a just Encomium, and praises
due to her rare and transcendent perfections.
In the doing whereof I shall perform a double commendable
work; First, A Duty of Civility and Christianity
to the dead; Secondly, A Duty of Piety to the
Living, whilst I stir up their Devotions to an Holy
Emulation and Zealous Imitation of the Graces and
Virtues which Shined in the Life and Death of the
Renowned Dutchess; NoValue
To speak
in the Language of the Learned Nazianzen whose
Tongue, that Tongue which sored so high in the praise
of S. Athanasios and S. Basil would suit well with this
great work better then mine; who, when I have said
all that I can, being not able to speak enough, may incur
that censure of endeavouring, or going about, to
fit a Dwarfs Shoe to a Giants Foot.
But to hold your expectation no longer in suspense
I shall lay the Foundation of this Structure in Her Graces
Birth, and Education, and then lay upon it the
weight of an Holy Life, and happy Death, this done,
refer all to your godly imitation, and so commend you
to God's blessing.
First, For her Ladiships Birth: we have here a Righteous
Branch sprung of a Righteous Stock, She was the
second Daughter of Sir Thomas Leighe of Stoneley in
the County of Wa'wick, Knight and Baronet, the Relict
of Sir Robrt Dudley Knight, Son to Robert late Earl
of Leicester; and for his extraordinary merits created
a Duke by Ferdinand the Second, late Emperor of
Germany.
For divers great considerations, She was by Letters
Patents, bearing date at Oxford the twentieth day of
May, In the twentieth year of King Charles the first of
Blessed Memory, By the said King advanced to the title
of a Dutchess, being by the foresaid Robert the Mother
of five gracious Daughters, Alice, Douglasse,
Frances wife of Sir Gilbert Kniueton Knight, Anne wife
of Sir Robert Holburne Late of Lincolnes Inne all
these Deceased, And Katherine the onely surviving
Picture in Piety and goodness of her Lady Mother,
and Widow of Sir Richard Leveson Knight of the
Bath.
The Town of Stonely, in which our Illustrious Dutchess
was born, has more reason to glory in that She
breath'd her first breath in it than the seven Cities
had in Homer the Prince of Poets; who by all of them

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was challenged, all laying a claim or Title to his birth
in them. But as her Ladiships being born in the foresaid
Stoneley will not add any inward virtue though it
may an outward luster to it, so Her being descended
from, and related to an Ancient Noble Family is the
slenderest part or piece of her Character and Glory.
That she was born of God by Spiritual Regeneration
and so His Daughter by Adoption and a Sister of
Christ by love and likeness of Him, this is her Chiefest
glory, the highest degree of her commendation.
NoValue
So said S. Chrysostome in a Panegyrical
Oration, The principal thing to be look'd at, and commended
in recounting a Genealogy, is the Virtue of a
man or woman.
If we consider the whole Series or course of her
life, we shall have a just occasion to say, that in her
person, and by her actions she gave a stop or check in
a way of answer to that doubtful Question of Solomon,
Prov. 31.10. Who can find a Virtuous Woman!
who can without God's special blessing obtained
by Prayer unto Him, and without God's Divine
appointment and Ordination? This sure was the
wisemans meaning. But to return to my purpose
from this short digression. The precious balme of
Grace that was powred by God's blessed Spirit into
the Soul of our Renowned Dutchess at her Baptism,
or in her Infancy, being strengthned with the addition
of a godly Education, brake forth in such a sweet perfume,
even from her Childhood to Her riper years;
that she was look'd upon as an Earthly Saint, an Angel
clothed in Flesh, a lawful Image of Her Maker,
and Redeemer, a model of Heaven made up in
Clay, the living Temple of the Holy Ghost.
This was evidenced by these ensuing Graces.
First, By Her Extraordinary Piety, or Religion.
Her behaviour towards God was rare and admirable;
for being instructed in, and perswaded of the
truth of that Religion which we profess as distinct
from that false one of the Church of Rome and being
firmly grounded in those Fundamentals, and saving
Truths which our Religion teaches us, viz. That God
alone is to be prayed unto and worshipped not Saints
nor Angels, That by Christ only we can be saved,
by his merits and Gods mercy, not by our own works,
she accordingly upon these grounds served God night
and day as that good old Prophetess Anna did, Luke
2.37 with fastings and prayers, especially during the
time of her Virgin-widowhood; she was NoValue
1 Tim. 5.5. a widow indeed, such as was that famous
Paula and Marcella by S. Hierome in his Epistles so
highly magnified. She well knew, that though second
marriage is no sin, yet as one says Iteratò nubere est
signum Incontinentia, &c. She therefore, to preserve
in her fame the honour, and in her soul and body the
joy and sweet content of Continency, refused to marry;
declaring thereby, that though many great persons
wanted her or rather as the fashion of the world is
her money, yet she had no need of any to be joyn'd
with her in a conjugal society.
An enlargement of her Estate she never designed,
nor desir'd by the addition of a Joynture, but moving
in the Sphear of her own fortune, and contenting her
self with the portion God had given her, she clave
close to God, and was joyn'd to Him by Faith and
Affiance; and so she was espoused to God, and the

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Lord of Heaven married to her, being her Husband
as he professes himself to have been to Israel, Jer. 31.
32. in regard of his Love, Care and Providence to
her Religious Person; who spent as much time or
more in reading of God's word, and other godly
books the extracts of it, as others do in their Glasses,
by which they correct the defaults in their dresses, and
blemishes in their faces, not regarding in the mean
while the blots and spots, the defilements and stains
of sin, that disfigure the native beauty of their Souls,
which are usually left naked, and, for want of
prayer to God divested of Grace, but clothed
with the black mantle of Lascivious and Unclean
thoughts.
Our pious Dutchess took into her prime care her
righteous soul the spouse of God: by Prayer and Meditation
with which a soul is winged she sent it up
in a flight to Heaven every morning, and thus conversing
with God in the mount of Devotion it return'd
again into her bosome as Moses did from the
Mount with it's face shining, and lightsome with joy
and inward Consolation.
The more familiar conference we have with
God in prayer, the more do we partake of
him.
He that passes by the fire may have some gleams
of heat, but he that stands by it will have his Colour
changed: It is not possible a man should have any long
conference with God in Prayer, and Meditation, but
that his heart shine with inward illumination, and, being
enflamed with the love of God, partake of some
Divine Inspiration.
And thus she acquainting her self daily and conversing
with God, in her Closet, or Private, and more
publike family devotions which she never omitted
was wonderfully beautified, and strengthned in her
soul by Grace; which had taken up it's lodging in
her, and displayed it self outwardly in five special
Saint-like Qualities, which made her conversation
amiable, pleasant, and Venerable to all her Equals and
Inferiors.
The first was a winning and obliging way or disposition,
that sweetly scatters favours; by this, being a
desire of doing good to all, even to our very
enemies, we attract friendships, and make friends
even of those that hate us. Thus did that good
Dutchess.
The second is Affability, this was eminently in her,
joyn'd with a becoming Grace and sweet behaviour,
and hath in it a power to charm Souls that are in any
the least way or degree inclined to Honesty and Civility:
She was Courteous to all even the meanest person,
who might find her ear, open to any just Request
or Modest Petition. When she bestowed any
favour, or gave an Alms, She gave it cheerfully without
grudging, or any the least repining, so the loaf
which she gave was not Panis Lapidosus, as Seneca
speaks, but pure and fine Manchet without any mixture
of Gravel. An Alms given with hard Language,
reproach or an harsh exprobration, is gravel-bread,
and at once loses both it's thanks and commendation.
The third, Prudence, a gracious Quality of the Soul,
which is ever joyn'd with Wisdom as it's inseparable
Companion, as appears by Eph. 1. 8. - - According to
the riches of his Grace, wherein he hath abounded towards

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us in all Wisdom and Prudence. So Prov. 8.12.
I Wisdom dwell with Prudence, Here too they are mated,
they cannot be severed. The property of Wisdom,
is NoValue, to propound to it self a right or good end,
as it is the Office of Prudence, which derives it's name
from Providence NoValue to advise of and devise
proper and fit means suitable to that end. To be
happy hereafter in Heaven and to live honourably
with repute here on Earth, should be our main end:
Faith in Christ attended with good works is the way
to attain the former, Justice and Honesty to man is the
means to acquire the other.
This virtue, this NoValue, was most eminent in our
Renowned Dutchess, she made it her whole business,
her NoValue to get a place in Heaven, where she now
sits and raigns and by well-doing to leave a good
name behind her, being dead; that the transplendent
light of her beneficence shining amongst men, and
they beholding her good works might glorifie her Father
which is in Heaven, Matt. 5.16.
Her Prudence likewise was seen in this that she had
a great command over her Tongue, and Passions; she
knew that as Th. de Kempis says well, lib. 1.c. 20.
It was an easier thing to be silent then not to offend in
speech, or multitude of words: she therefore seldom
spake but to the benefit of the Hearer; Grieve she did
at the miscarriages of men whereby God was dishonoured
and for publike calamities when the Church
was afflicted, but this sorrow was allayed with Religion,
it never exceeded; Thus also her Anger was
tempered with Meekness, so that if at any time her
blood boiled up in her tender heart out of a dislike of
any thing that did offend her, it never ran over the
brim of Reason, or bounds of Moderation. Her ears
were ever open to the complaints of the poor, but
shut against all calumny and Detraction; Her Eyes
ever open too, looking up to Heaven as the eyes of
Servants look unto the hands of their masters- -Psal.
123.2. but shut against Objects dress'd up with vanity,
through these casements they could not enter into
her capacious Soul, the receptacle onely of chaste
thoughts decked with Purity of good Intentions;
Her mouth had a watch set upon it, which then opened
when she was to give rules of Instruction, and Orders
for direction to her well-ordered Religious Family,
or when she fell into discourse of Religion, and
of the NoValue the things above, heavenly things; which
she ever used to do, whensoever I was admitted into
her blessed Private Society. In a word, which is another
high degree of Prudence, and that which the Philosopher
terms NoValue, Perspicacitas, she could quickly,
and warily discern the dispositions, capacities,
manners, humours, affections, and aims of those with
whom she did converse, and accordingly did suit
her carriage to every mans temper without flattery,
which was far from, and beneath, her.
She was a magazen of experience, the fruit or benefit
of Old Age, and the proxime cause of Prudence.
Her vast Memory, which was strong and vigorous to
admiration, was the Storehouse and Treasury of Observations,
and Knowledge of Occurrences for many
scores of years: so that I often have said, what I truly
found by her rare discourses, that she was a Living
Chronicle bound up with the thread of a long-spund
Age; the which being cut asunder by the hand of
Death, we are thereby deprived of a great Jewel and

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comfortable benefit. In divers accidents and things
relating to our Parish I oft appeal'd to her stupendious
Memory, as an ancient Record, and as that was admirable,
so what the Son of Sirach says of Judas Maccabeus,
Eccl. 93. 7. Her memorial is, and shall be blessed
for ever. Who in the fourth and fifth place was admired
and highly honoured for her Humility and Patience.
The former of these is a Vertue which is the Cognisance
of a Saint, and the true Badge of a Christian; it is
the first Lesson which is to be Learn'd in the School
of Christ, who is Magister humilitatis so styled oft by
S. Aug. Learn of me for I am meek and lowly, &c.
Matt. 11.29. The Doctrinal saying of this great
Master of Humilty. It is grounded upon an high apprehension
of the Majesty and Greatness of Almighty
God, together with a low estimation a man hath of
himself, in regard of his many weaknesses, and sinful
Infirmities; These being ever proposed to the eye of
Her Conscience, and looking upon all the good things
She had, her Gifts and Graces, as God's Donatives,
who can and will, if we be proud of them to a contempt
of others, take them from us She therefore
ever payed to God the Tribute of thankfulness for
them, bowing Her Soul to God by an humble submission
to His Will, and to the just commands of
her Superiours; being likewise assured of this, that if
she had more riches, others might have more Grace,
and if she exceeded them in one or more gifts, they
might excel in others. Hence did spring and arise Her
meekness, and Humility, a Grace which renders a
man amiable in the sight of God, who dwels as
the Prophet Isaiah speaks, chap. 57.11. in an
humble heart, it being the Chief Mansion or Manour-House
of the holy Ghost, NoValue
Chrys. There is nothing more
acceptable and pleasing to God than for a man to degrade
himself in his humble thoughts, and to rank himself
among the lowest, even then when he is in a
place of Dignity or Eminence: Such a one is God's
delight, his special Favorite. So was the good Dutchess,
who reflecting in her Religious thoughts upon her
frail composition, as being what Abraham stiled
himself, Gen. 18.and what the greatest are but Dust
in regard of her beginning and Ashes in respect
of her end and knowing that as the forenamed de
Kempis says of man in General that she was Culpable in
many things, prone by nature to evil, and unable of her
self to stand and persist in that which is good. This knowledge
of her self beat down Pride, and set up a throne
for Humility in her heart, which displayed it self by her
delighting to be concealed by her private retirement,
yet shining in goodness though unseen, like those stars
called, Sporades in the Galaxie or milk-way in the
firmament: It likewise discover'd it self, First, By
taking no content or delight in the praise of men,
when it was offered; Secondly, By her contentation
in every estate and condition, every mutation or
change of fortune, conceiving that what good she enjoyed
was more, and what evil she sustain'd was less,
than she deserved.
This Grace of Humility in Her was the parent of
Patience, a cheerful bearing of affliction without murmuring
or repining at God's dispensations or providence.
He that thinks or believes he is the Son of God will
not murmure at any dispensation of his Providence;
should I lead your Meditations through all the Stages

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of her sufferings in the late bloody Rebellious times,
truly I might tire yours, though they did not overcome
Her, Patience. But she with a most Heroick
Christianlike Courage and Spirit, bore up against all
the batteries and storms of plundering Persecutours, of
railing Shimei's, and backbiting Rabshakes, against
whom her Innocency was no fence to keep of their
approaches: And as those lesser lights of Heaven shine
brightest in the dark Winter nights, and fire burns
hottest in the cold frost; so the Star of her profession
shind most gloriously, the fire of her Zeal to the
Truth glowed with a greater heat under the rage of
those, who did persecute her with their hands robbing
her of her goods because she would not be as
they were, bad, rebels against the King and Church
and blasting her reputation with their black Tongues
not dreading to report she was a Papist, or as one
said before a Committee something like one: and
why? Because she was loyal to her Soveraign, a lover
and Patroness of Orthodox Divines, and abounded
in good works. If it were only Charity that did
constitute a Papist, I would not refuse or dislike to be
so called; but her soundness in her opinion, and
practice of the true Religion manifested to the
World that she was a rare Christian, a Christian
indeed and not only in name NoValue Ign.
One of a most exact conversation, and fit to be proposed
to this loose and sinful Age as a pattern of
good living; and as St. Augustine referr'd those that
desired to profit in Virtue to the life and conversation
of S. Paulinus, Vade in Campaniam disce Paulinum,
Go to Campania and study Paulinus; so would I say
to any person, that should desire to attain to some
degree of perfection in Grace, Goodness, and Piety,
Vade ad Sancti Ægidii oppidum, & Disce Ducissam
Dudleyam, Have recourse to St. Giles's and enquire
after the Life and manners of Dutchess Dudley; conform
your Life to Her Religious Conversation who
hath left behind her there many Ladies much like
unto her so may you prove a good proficient in
Religion.
Her Patience likewise discovered it self highly all
the time of her sickness which was long and tedious,
and in the midst of all her pains, which were sharp
and grievous; her Soul was drowned in the Contemplation
of that great Ocean of bliss in Heaven,
to which she was sailing through the narrow channel
of this life: She never complained with murmuring
or bitter Lamentation, as too many do in their sickness,
nor saying as Rebekah did, Gen. 25.22. when
the twins strugled in her womb, If it be so why am I
thus? No she knew that NoValue that
the gate is strait which leadeth into the City of bliss,
and that through many tribulations we must enter into
heaven which she had learned out of Acts 13. 22.
and therefore embraced her Cross with cheerfulness --
and why, should a living man complain, a man for the
punishment of his Sin? Lam. 3.39. She in effect oft
said what St. Hierome suggested to Paula concerning
the death of Blasilla, The Lord is good, and
whatsoever a good God doth cannot be bad. To
conclude this particular, She look'd upon her
troubles as the Lot of God's Children, the Physick of
the Soul, the Pledge of Divine Love, the Badge of
her profession as a Christian the Incentive of her
Devotion, and a mark of her Conformity with

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Christ her Head, and the Captain of our Salvation;
and therefore, following him, she bore all with Patience.
To whom that she might by a closer Union be joyned,
Now that her Soul was drawing towards Heaven,
having spent all the time of her sickness in Prayer and
Repentance, and heavenly Conferences, of which I
could give a large account, She as she had done
oft-times before desired to receive her last Viaticum
that heavenly food, which might as it did
strengthen her Spirit in it's last conflict with Death,
and in it's long journey to eternity, or everlasting
life; I mean that which is a Sacrament,
as of a thankful Commemoration of Christ crucified,
so of a blessed Confirmation, for that it confirms
our Faith that Christ is, and will be in all
respects to our Souls I had rather say to our
Persons what the Bread and Wine is to our
Bodies.
Had you been then present and seen with what
flaming devotion, with what burning affection, and
lowly Reverence upon her Knees when she could
hardly stand upon her feeble legs she received that
heavenly Food that NoValue as Ign. calls it
which Physicks the Soul for Eternity, the seal of her
pardon, and token of her Communion with Christ;
had you then beheld her devout deportment, and
heard the Divine expressions, which immediatly fell
from her gracious lips, you would hence have concluded
that she was a rare Saint - - Having thus got a
firmer hold of Christ by Faith in the Merits of his
Death and Passion, and grasping her Saviour in the
Arms of Her Love and Thankfulness, She ever after
chaunted out old Simeons Song, Luke 2.29. Domine
nunc dimittis, &c. Lord now lettest thou thy
servant depart in peace. She as St. Augustine says
of Faith tore of Death's grim Vizard, and beheld
under it a comely smiling face; so as, whiles unto
the enemies of God those that are not reconcil'd
unto him by Faith in Christ and the amendment of
their lives it is no other than a terrible executioner
of Divine Vengeance, it seemed to her an
Herauld of Peace, a messenger of Joy, a plausible
and sure Convoy unto Blessedness. For this
cause, or upon these considerations she longed after
her NoValue her dissolution, even as the weary
Traveller after he hath measured many tedious miles
as she had years and passed many dangers both
by Sea and Land, and felt the harsh entertainments
of a stranger, rejoyces to draw near in his
return to a pleasant and Rich habitation. Thus
she desired earnestly to be released from Her Prison,
the body is such and no more to the Soul
She often wished to be dissolved, and to be admitted
into a nearer familiarity or Communion
with Christ: a few days after the Lord in Mercy
made her partaker of her holy wish and desire,
gave her an happy Release by Death, and Grace
to utter these last words of the Protomartyr Saint
Stephen, Act. 7.59. Lord Jesus receive my Spirit;
and when she had said this she after ninety
years current spent in God's service fell asleep.
Death was no more to this Illustrious Dutchess
then a sleep. Her body after many vexatious Toils,
Troubles, and Disquiets in this World shall sleep
or rest for a while in it's NoValue, it's Dormitory the
Grave. But her soul is now awake in Heaven, wearing
the Crown of Perseverance, and singing with the triumphant
Chorus of Angels and Saints glorified a joyful
Song to the Lamb Christ Jesus sitting upon a
golden glorious Throne; who will at the great
day raise up her body from it's long sleep by virtue
of that Spirit which rais'd him from the dead Rom.
8. 11. and dwelt by a full measure of Grace in the
Soul of our deceased Saint, who being dead yet speaketh
as the Apostle attests of righteous Abel, Heb. 11.4.
and methinks bespeaks as now on Earth her survivers,
from Heaven, in the words of St. Paul. Let your conversation
be, as mine was, in Heaven, where I raign
now in the Embraces and Glories of my Saviour: and,
Be ye followers of me as I was of the Lord Jesus, in
Faith and Love, in Humility, Meekness, Piety and Patience,
and suppose too that she bespeaks you all in the
words of Gideon to his Souldiers, and of Abimeleck
to his. Judg. 7.17. chap. 9.48. Look on me and do
likewise, what ye have seen me do and shall hear I
have done even so do ye, according to your abilities,
and several capacities;
Clothe the backs of the poor, and feed the hungry
"bellies; adorn God's Houses, and contribute to the Rebuilding
of decaied, and, by war and fire, wasted
Churches; endow poor Vicaradges with Annual Accessions
or Augmentations of large Salaries; relieve
poor Widows in Hospitals by yearly Pensions; give
good and competent Summes for the redemption of
Christian Captives now chain'd up to slavery in the
hands, or under the power, of Infidels; and for placing
out of poor Children or Orphans yearly to be Apprentices,
Honour your Ministers who are set over you in
the Lord, especially those who labour, in the Word,
1 Tim. 5.17. i.e. take great pains to dispense the
lively Oracles of it, and administer frequently the
holy Sacraments for the edifying and saving of your
Souls; give what is due unto them, and take nothing
by fraud or violence from them, and, if they want an
house to dwell in, provide one for them;" All that has
been said the Illustrious Dutchess did, and gave to
God the Glory of it, who afforded Her, by his blessing,
that good and plentiful seed which she liberally
sowed and scatter'd in the fields of the poor, and
hath sprung in a rich and large crop of blessings which
she now enjoys with God in the Cœlestial Paradise.
Pauperum fundus est fæcundissimus;The poor man's
field affords the largest Crop. And though all cannot
keep an even pace, or go along with her in her
Bounty and Magnificence, yet follow her though at
a distance by conforming your lives and actions to
her Charity, and goodness. Thus if you do as her
good deeds in a manner exhort you and declare the
Sincerity or Truth of your Faith by your goods works,
Imitating Christ the King of Saints, and this deceased
Dutchess a Queen among her Sex for her rare exemplary
Virtues and Graces, you shall be for ever blessed,
as She is, and Crown'd with Everlasting Glory, and
Happiness.
Trin-uni Deo Laus, honor, & Gloria, &c.