The martyrdom of Theodora and of Didymus by a person of honour.
         Boyle, Robert, 1627-1691.
      
       
         
           1687
        
      
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             The martyrdom of Theodora and of Didymus by a person of honour.
             Boyle, Robert, 1627-1691.
          
           [30], 250 [i.e. 232], [6] p.
           
             Printed by H. Clark, for John Taylor ... and Christopher Skegnes ...,
             London :
             1687.
          
           
             Attributed to Robert Boyle. Cf. BLC.
             First edition; published later (1703) under title: Love and religion demonstrated in the martyrdom of Theodora, and of Didymus.
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           THE
           Martyrdom
           OF
           THEODORA
           ,
           And
           of
           DIDYMUS
           .
        
         
           By
           a
           Person
           of
           Honour
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           by
           
             H.
             Clark
          
           ,
           for
           
             John
             Taylor
          
           at
           the
           Ship
           ,
           and
           
             Christopher
             Skegnes
          
           at
           the
           Golden
           Ball
           ,
           in
           St.
           
           Paul's
           Church-yard
           ,
           1687.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           SUCH
           AN
           ACCOUNT
           Of
           the
           following
           BOOK
           ,
           Sent
           with
           it
           to
           a
           FRIEND
           ;
           As
           may
           serve
           instead
           of
           a
           PREFACE
           .
        
         
           TO
           convince
           you
           ,
           Sir
           ,
           how
           much
           more
           I
           am
           concern'd
           to
           have
           you
           think
           ,
           I
           can
           Obey
           well
           ,
           than
           Write
           well
           ;
           I
           venture
           to
           send
           you
           the
           Account
           ,
           (
           as
           imperfect
           and
           unpolish'd
           as
           it
           is
           )
           that
           you
           are
           pleas'd
           to
           command
           
             Of
             the
             last
             Hours
             of
             Theodora
             .
          
           But
           I
           must
           beg
           your
           leave
           to
           accompany
           it
           with
           another
           Account
           (
           though
           but
           a
           short
           one
           )
           how
           I
           came
           to
           meddle
           with
           
           this
           Subject
           ;
           and
           why
           what
           I
           present
           you
           about
           it
           ,
           is
           so
           much
           Maim'd
           ,
           and
           has
           no
           more
           Uniformity
           .
        
         
           Having
           had
           occasion
           many
           years
           ago
           to
           turn
           over
           a
           Martyrology
           ,
           and
           some
           other
           Books
           ,
           that
           related
           to
           the
           Sufferings
           of
           the
           Primitive
           Christians
           ;
           I
           chanc'd
           to
           light
           on
           those
           of
           a
           Virgin
           ,
           who
           ,
           though
           (
           to
           my
           wonder
           )
           she
           was
           left
           unnam'd
           by
           the
           other
           Writers
           that
           mention'd
           her
           ,
           seem'd
           plainly
           to
           be
           the
           same
           ,
           that
           is
           by
           one
           of
           them
           expresly
           call'd
           Theodora
           :
           I
           own
           ,
           I
           was
           not
           a
           little
           affected
           ,
           at
           the
           reading
           of
           such
           moving
           and
           uncommon
           adventures
           as
           hers
           :
           and
           finding
           her
           story
           to
           be
           related
           ,
           by
           the
           Author
           that
           nam'd
           both
           her
           and
           her
           Lover
           ,
           not
           only
           very
           succinctly
           and
           imperfectly
           ,
           but
           very
           dully
           too
           ;
           I
           found
           my self
           tempted
           so
           to
           enlarge
           this
           Story
           ,
           as
           that
           it
           might
           be
           contriv'd
           into
           a
           somewhat
           voluminous
           Romance
           :
           But
           
           upon
           second
           thoughts
           ,
           it
           appeared
           incongruous
           to
           turn
           a
           Martyr
           into
           a
           Nymph
           or
           an
           Amazon
           :
           And
           I
           consider'd
           too
           ,
           that
           (
           to
           omit
           what
           else
           might
           be
           objected
           against
           that
           sort
           of
           Composures
           )
           as
           true
           Pearls
           are
           Cordials
           and
           Antidotes
           ,
           which
           counterfeit
           ones
           ,
           how
           fine
           soever
           they
           may
           appear
           ,
           are
           not
           ;
           so
           True
           Examples
           do
           arm
           and
           fortify
           the
           mind
           far
           more
           efficaciously
           ,
           than
           Imaginary
           or
           Fictious
           ones
           can
           do
           ;
           and
           the
           fabulous
           labours
           of
           Hercules
           ,
           and
           Exploits
           of
           Arthur
           of
           Britain
           ,
           will
           never
           make
           men
           aspire
           to
           Heroick
           Vertue
           half
           so
           powerfully
           ,
           as
           the
           real
           Examples
           of
           Courage
           and
           Gallantry
           afforded
           by
           
             Jonathan
             Caesar
          
           ,
           or
           the
           
             Black
             Prince
          
           .
           But
           yet
           ,
           thinking
           it
           great
           pity
           ,
           that
           so
           shining
           a
           Vertue
           as
           
           Theodora's
           should
           prove
           Exemplary
           ,
           but
           to
           her
           own
           time
           ,
           and
           to
           one
           City
           ;
           and
           remembring
           ,
           that
           soon
           after
           the
           Age
           which
           she
           Ennobl'd
           ,
           it
           was
           counted
           among
           the
           Primitive
           Christians
           an
           act
           of
           Piety
           ,
           to
           build
           
           fair
           Monuments
           ,
           upon
           the
           formerly
           abject
           Graves
           of
           the
           Martyrs
           ;
           to
           repay
           ,
           by
           Honours
           done
           to
           their
           Memories
           ,
           the
           indignities
           and
           Disgraces
           they
           had
           suffer'd
           in
           their
           Persons
           ;
           I
           thought
           fit
           to
           try
           ,
           if
           I
           could
           rescue
           from
           more
           unskilful
           Hands
           than
           even
           mine
           ,
           a
           story
           that
           abundantly
           deserv'd
           to
           be
           well
           told
           .
        
         
           But
           upon
           further
           thoughts
           ,
           I
           soon
           foresaw
           ,
           that
           this
           Task
           was
           not
           more
           worthy
           to
           be
           undertaken
           ,
           than
           it
           would
           prove
           difficult
           to
           be
           well
           perform'd
           :
           For
           the
           Martyrologist
           having
           allow'd
           scarce
           one
           whole
           Page
           ,
           to
           a
           Relation
           ,
           that
           perhaps
           merited
           a
           Volume
           ,
           had
           left
           so
           many
           Chasms
           ,
           and
           so
           many
           necessary
           things
           unmentioned
           ,
           that
           I
           plainly
           perceiv'd
           ,
           I
           wanted
           a
           far
           greater
           number
           of
           Circumstances
           ,
           than
           that
           he
           had
           supply'd
           me
           with
           to
           make
           up
           so
           maim'd
           a
           story
           tolerably
           compleat
           .
           And
           as
           the
           Relation
           deny'd
           me
           matter
           enough
           to
           work
           
           upon
           ,
           so
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           Subject
           refus'd
           most
           of
           those
           Imbellishments
           which
           in
           other
           Themes
           ,
           where
           young
           Gallants
           and
           fair
           Ladies
           are
           the
           chief
           Actors
           ,
           are
           wont
           to
           supply
           the
           deficiences
           of
           the
           matter
           .
           Besides
           ,
           my
           task
           was
           not
           near
           so
           easie
           as
           it
           would
           have
           been
           ,
           if
           I
           had
           been
           only
           to
           recite
           the
           Intrigues
           of
           an
           Amour
           ,
           with
           the
           liberty
           to
           feig
           surprizing
           adventures
           ,
           to
           adorn
           the
           Historical
           part
           of
           the
           account
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           a
           Lover
           speak
           as
           Passionately
           as
           I
           could
           ,
           and
           his
           Mistress
           as
           Kindly
           as
           the
           indulgentest
           laws
           of
           decency
           would
           permit
           .
           But
           I
           was
           to
           introduce
           a
           Christian
           and
           pious
           Lover
           ,
           who
           was
           to
           contain
           the
           expressions
           of
           his
           Flame
           within
           the
           narrow
           bounds
           of
           his
           Religion
           ;
           and
           a
           Virgin
           ,
           who
           ,
           being
           as
           modest
           and
           discreet
           as
           handsom
           ,
           and
           as
           devout
           as
           either
           ,
           was
           to
           own
           an
           high
           Esteem
           for
           an
           excellent
           Lover
           ,
           and
           an
           uncommon
           Gratitude
           to
           a
           transcendent
           Benefactor
           ,
           
           without
           intrenching
           either
           upon
           her
           Vertue
           ,
           or
           her
           Reservedness
           .
           And
           I
           perceiv'd
           the
           difficulty
           of
           my
           Task
           would
           be
           encreas'd
           ,
           by
           that
           of
           Reconciling
           
           Theodora's
           Scrupulousness
           to
           the
           humours
           of
           some
           young
           Persons
           of
           Quality
           of
           either
           Sex
           ,
           who
           were
           earnest
           to
           engage
           my
           Pen
           on
           this
           occasion
           ,
           and
           would
           expect
           that
           I
           should
           make
           Theodora
           more
           kind
           ,
           than
           I
           thought
           her
           great
           Piety
           and
           strict
           Modesty
           would
           permit
           .
           But
           for
           all
           this
           ;
           the
           esteem
           I
           had
           for
           the
           fair
           Martyrs
           Excellencies
           ,
           and
           the
           compliance
           I
           had
           for
           those
           that
           desir'd
           to
           receive
           an
           account
           of
           so
           rare
           a
           Persons
           actions
           and
           Sufferings
           ,
           made
           me
           resolve
           to
           try
           what
           I
           could
           do
           .
           Which
           I
           adventur'd
           upon
           with
           the
           less
           Reluctancy
           ,
           because
           ,
           though
           I
           esteem'd
           it
           a
           kind
           of
           Profaneness
           ,
           to
           transform
           a
           piece
           of
           Martyrology
           into
           a
           Romance
           ;
           yet
           I
           thought
           it
           allowable
           enough
           ,
           where
           a
           Narrative
           was
           written
           so
           concisely
           ,
           and
           
           left
           so
           unperfect
           ,
           as
           That
           I
           had
           to
           descant
           upon
           ;
           to
           make
           such
           supplements
           of
           Circumstances
           ,
           as
           were
           not
           improbable
           in
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           thing
           ,
           and
           were
           little
           less
           than
           necessary
           to
           the
           clearness
           and
           entireness
           of
           the
           Story
           ,
           and
           the
           decent
           connection
           of
           the
           parts
           it
           should
           consist
           of
           .
           I
           suppos'd
           too
           ,
           that
           I
           needed
           not
           scruple
           ,
           to
           lend
           Speeches
           to
           the
           Persons
           I
           brought
           upon
           the
           Stage
           ,
           provided
           they
           were
           suitable
           to
           the
           Speakers
           ,
           and
           Occasions
           ;
           since
           I
           was
           warranted
           by
           the
           Examples
           of
           
             Livy
             ,
             Plutarch
          
           ,
           and
           other
           Grave
           and
           Judicious
           Historians
           ,
           who
           make
           no
           scruple
           to
           give
           us
           set
           Orations
           ,
           of
           their
           own
           framing
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           put
           them
           into
           the
           mouths
           of
           Generals
           at
           the
           head
           of
           their
           Armies
           ,
           just
           going
           to
           give
           Battel
           :
           though
           at
           such
           times
           the
           hurry
           and
           distraction
           that
           both
           they
           and
           their
           Auditors
           must
           be
           in
           ,
           must
           make
           it
           very
           unlikely
           ,
           either
           that
           they
           should
           make
           elaborate
           Speeches
           ,
           or
           their
           Hearers
           
           mind
           and
           remember
           them
           well
           enough
           to
           repeat
           them
           to
           the
           Historians
           .
        
         
           Encourag'd
           by
           these
           Liberties
           ,
           which
           I
           thought
           I
           might
           justly
           allow
           my self
           :
           I
           drew
           up
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           I
           could
           ,
           what
           you
           have
           been
           told
           I
           wrote
           about
           Theodora
           .
           This
           I
           thought
           fit
           to
           divide
           into
           two
           parts
           ;
           in
           the
           first
           whereof
           ,
           (
           which
           was
           less
           remote
           from
           being
           Romantick
           )
           I
           gave
           somewhat
           at
           large
           the
           Characters
           of
           them
           both
           .
           I
           mention'd
           the
           rise
           and
           progress
           of
           
           Didymus's
           Love
           ;
           the
           degeneracy
           of
           the
           then
           Christians
           ,
           which
           provok'd
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           to
           expose
           them
           to
           a
           very
           Bloody
           Persecution
           :
           I
           declar'd
           ,
           how
           Theodora
           being
           involv'd
           in
           it
           ,
           was
           brought
           before
           the
           President
           of
           Antioch
           ;
           how
           she
           resolutely
           own'd
           her
           Religion
           before
           him
           ,
           answer'd
           His
           Arguments
           ,
           and
           resisted
           both
           his
           Promises
           ,
           and
           his
           Menaces
           ;
           how
           thereupon
           the
           Judge
           doom'd
           her
           either
           to
           Sacrafice
           ,
           
           or
           to
           be
           prostituted
           in
           the
           the
           publick
           Stews
           .
           How
           she
           ,
           after
           an
           eager
           Debate
           in
           her
           own
           mind
           ,
           refusing
           to
           offer
           sacrifice
           ,
           was
           ,
           (
           notwithstanding
           her
           silence
           )
           led
           away
           to
           the
           infamous
           place
           ;
           how
           being
           shut
           up
           there
           alone
           in
           a
           Room
           ,
           she
           employ'd
           the
           little
           time
           ,
           that
           was
           granted
           her
           to
           consider
           whether
           she
           would
           yet
           burn
           Incense
           to
           the
           Roman
           Idols
           ,
           in
           fervent
           Prayer
           to
           the
           true
           God
           ,
           for
           a
           rescue
           of
           her
           Purity
           ,
           not
           her
           Life
           ;
           in
           order
           whereunto
           ,
           she
           design'd
           and
           hop'd
           by
           Resistance
           and
           Contumelies
           to
           provoke
           her
           first
           Assailant
           ,
           to
           become
           her
           Murderer
           ,
           rather
           than
           her
           Ravisher
           .
        
         
           These
           were
           the
           chief
           Contents
           of
           the
           first
           Book
           .
           Those
           of
           the
           second
           ,
           were
           more
           Historical
           ;
           and
           consisted
           of
           an
           account
           of
           the
           last
           hours
           of
           her
           Life
           ,
           and
           particularly
           of
           those
           Sufferings
           that
           ended
           in
           her
           and
           
           Didymus's
           glorious
           Martyrdom
           .
           This
           piece
           having
           been
           
           perus'd
           by
           those
           for
           whose
           sake
           I
           wrote
           it
           ;
           was
           so
           fortunate
           ,
           that
           it
           having
           ,
           without
           my
           leave
           ,
           been
           ventur'd
           into
           several
           hands
           ,
           as
           a
           Book
           of
           a
           nameless
           and
           unknown
           Author
           ,
           it
           was
           lucky
           enough
           to
           be
           ,
           by
           some
           indulgent
           Readers
           ,
           attributed
           to
           One
           ,
           and
           by
           some
           to
           Another
           ,
           of
           the
           two
           Persons
           ,
           that
           were
           at
           that
           time
           counted
           the
           best
           writers
           of
           disguis'd
           Histories
           .
           But
           among
           the
           many
           Hands
           it
           pass'd
           through
           ,
           it
           seems
           it
           fell
           into
           some
           ,
           out
           of
           which
           a
           great
           part
           of
           the
           loose
           sheets
           ,
           (
           which
           were
           not
           bound
           in
           a
           Book
           ,
           but
           only
           tack'd
           together
           )
           were
           not
           to
           be
           retriev'd
           :
           whether
           it
           were
           by
           the
           negligence
           ,
           or
           the
           contempt
           ,
           that
           some
           had
           of
           so
           unpolish'd
           a
           Work
           ;
           or
           whether
           there
           were
           some
           fatality
           in
           the
           Business
           ,
           that
           Theodoras
           Sufferings
           should
           outlive
           her
           ,
           and
           her
           Story
           be
           as
           ill
           us'd
           as
           her
           Person
           had
           been
           .
           This
           loss
           ,
           (
           if
           it
           can
           deserve
           that
           name
           )
           I
           did
           not
           much
           regret
           :
           Since
           I
           intended
           
           not
           to
           make
           the
           lost
           Papers
           publick
           ,
           and
           had
           receiv'd
           much
           greater
           approbation
           and
           thanks
           than
           they
           merited
           ,
           from
           the
           particular
           Persons
           they
           were
           design'd
           for
           .
           But
           after
           I
           had
           for
           many
           years
           worn
           out
           ,
           not
           only
           the
           sense
           ,
           but
           the
           memory
           of
           this
           loss
           :
           It
           was
           made
           more
           troublesom
           to
           me
           ,
           than
           ever
           it
           was
           at
           first
           ,
           by
           the
           earnest
           solicitations
           of
           some
           eminent
           Persons
           ,
           that
           had
           a
           great
           power
           over
           me
           ,
           and
           some
           of
           them
           the
           repute
           of
           great
           Judges
           of
           this
           kind
           of
           Composures
           .
           For
           having
           seen
           several
           Sheets
           ,
           that
           I
           accidentally
           lighted
           on
           ,
           in
           tumbling
           over
           some
           long
           neglected
           Papers
           ;
           they
           oblig'd
           me
           to
           cause
           those
           old
           rude
           sheets
           to
           be
           transcrib'd
           .
           And
           tho'
           almost
           all
           the
           first
           Book
           was
           wanting
           ,
           (
           upon
           which
           account
           ,
           I
           could
           not
           be
           remov'd
           from
           my
           Resolution
           not
           to
           trouble
           my self
           about
           it
           )
           yet
           there
           was
           so
           much
           of
           the
           Second
           Book
           ,
           but
           in
           parts
           no
           way
           Coherent
           ,
           little
           by
           little
           retriev'd
           ,
           
           that
           a
           pretence
           was
           afforded
           to
           press
           me
           to
           repair
           those
           Breaches
           ,
           and
           restore
           out
           of
           my
           memory
           ,
           or
           otherwise
           ,
           a
           piece
           ,
           which
           they
           would
           needs
           perswade
           me
           might
           do
           some
           good
           ,
           by
           rendring
           Vertue
           Amiable
           ,
           and
           recommending
           Piety
           to
           a
           sort
           of
           Readers
           ,
           that
           are
           much
           more
           affected
           by
           shining
           Examples
           ,
           and
           pathetical
           Expressions
           ,
           than
           by
           dry
           Precepts
           ,
           and
           grave
           Discourses
           .
        
         
           If
           some
           of
           your
           more
           scrupulous
           Friends
           shall
           object
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           mention'd
           Theodoras
           Beauty
           more
           often
           and
           advantagously
           ,
           and
           represented
           her
           Lovers
           Passion
           more
           Pathetically
           ,
           than
           the
           subject
           of
           the
           story
           exacted
           ,
           and
           the
           truth
           requir'd
           in
           History
           would
           warrant
           ;
           I
           shall
           not
           altogether
           deny
           the
           Charge
           :
           Being
           rather
           content
           to
           have
           it
           thought
           ,
           that
           a
           youthful
           〈◊〉
           heated
           fancy
           transported
           〈◊〉
           Pen
           ,
           somewhat
           beyond
           the
           
           narrow
           bounds
           of
           History
           ,
           than
           that
           so
           Pious
           a
           person
           as
           Didymus
           did
           not
           keep
           both
           his
           Flame
           ,
           and
           the
           Expressions
           of
           it
           ,
           within
           the
           limits
           of
           Reason
           and
           Religion
           .
           But
           though
           I
           pretend
           not
           to
           justifie
           ,
           all
           that
           has
           been
           said
           in
           the
           strain
           of
           an
           Encomiast
           ,
           or
           a
           Lover
           ,
           yet
           I
           hop'd
           that
           I
           may
           much
           Extenuate
           ,
           if
           not
           Excuse
           it
           ,
           by
           representing
           such
           things
           as
           these
           .
        
         
           That
           I
           have
           been
           careful
           ,
           that
           Theodora
           should
           not
           be
           made
           to
           do
           ,
           or
           say
           ,
           any
           thing
           ,
           that
           ,
           the
           great
           Obligations
           she
           had
           to
           her
           Rescuer
           consider'd
           ,
           do
           intrench
           either
           upon
           her
           Piety
           ,
           or
           her
           Vertue
           ,
           or
           so
           much
           as
           upon
           her
           Reserv'dness
           .
        
         
           That
           as
           for
           Didymus
           ;
           I
           might
           say
           ,
           that
           probably
           he
           thought
           ,
           those
           Celebrations
           that
           would
           have
           been
           Flattery
           to
           another
           Lady
           ,
           were
           but
           Justice
           to
           a
           Person
           so
           Extraordinary
           ,
           and
           so
           accomplish'd
           
           as
           his
           Mistress
           ;
           and
           that
           he
           thought
           it
           allowable
           ,
           not
           to
           suppress
           the
           chast
           effects
           of
           a
           Passion
           ,
           that
           has
           not
           only
           been
           incident
           to
           Heroes
           ,
           but
           perhaps
           help'd
           to
           make
           them
           such
           .
           But
           I
           will
           rather
           say
           ,
           that
           those
           only
           are
           like
           to
           find
           much
           fault
           with
           his
           Expressions
           ,
           who
           consider
           not
           how
           free
           they
           are
           from
           any
           degree
           of
           Prophaneness
           or
           Immodesty
           :
           And
           who
           are
           not
           accustomed
           to
           the
           reading
           of
           Stories
           ,
           where
           Lovers
           are
           introduc'd
           ,
           and
           made
           to
           Praise
           and
           Complement
           in
           a
           far
           more
           Bold
           and
           Romantick
           way
           ,
           than
           I
           allowed
           my self
           in
           the
           following
           Paper
           .
           In
           which
           ,
           all
           the
           Deference
           ,
           wherewith
           Irene
           as
           well
           as
           Didymus
           treat
           Theodora
           ,
           may
           be
           be
           accounted
           for
           by
           this
           ;
           That
           I
           remember'd
           to
           have
           ,
           in
           some
           Author
           or
           other
           ,
           found
           Mention
           made
           of
           a
           Person
           about
           
           Dioclesian's
           time
           ,
           Whom
           I
           took
           for
           our
           Martyr
           ,
           that
           was
           intimated
           to
           be
           of
           high
           Quality
           ,
           if
           not
           a
           Princess
           .
           
           which
           Title
           I
           had
           without
           scruple
           given
           Her
           ,
           If
           I
           had
           been
           half
           as
           sure
           that
           she
           Was
           a
           Princess
           ,
           as
           that
           she
           Deserv'd
           to
           be
           One.
           
        
         
           That
           perhaps
           I
           was
           not
           unwilling
           ,
           both
           to
           shew
           the
           Persons
           I
           wrote
           for
           ,
           that
           One
           might
           have
           glittering
           
           Idea's
           of
           Beauty
           ,
           without
           being
           dazl'd
           by
           them
           ;
           and
           also
           to
           convince
           them
           ,
           that
           high
           Complements
           and
           passionate
           expressions
           ,
           are
           no
           certain
           Marks
           of
           His
           being
           really
           Smitten
           (
           to
           speak
           in
           a
           Lovers
           Phrase
           )
           that
           can
           Imploy
           them
           ;
           since
           I
           retain'd
           my
           wonted
           freedom
           of
           mind
           ,
           while
           I
           was
           Writing
           ;
           and
           presented
           them
           by
           the
           mouth
           of
           Didymus
           ,
           but
           what
           Fancy
           ,
           not
           Passion
           indited
           .
        
         
           And
           lastly
           ,
           I
           was
           induc'd
           to
           allow
           my self
           a
           more
           fashionable
           Stile
           ,
           than
           would
           perhaps
           be
           suitable
           to
           a
           meer
           Sermon
           ,
           or
           Book
           of
           Divinity
           ,
           because
           I
           fear'd
           ,
           that
           the
           Youthful
           Persons
           of
           Quality
           of
           both
           
           Sexes
           ,
           that
           I
           was
           chiefly
           to
           regard
           ,
           would
           scarce
           be
           sufficiently
           affected
           by
           unfortunate
           Vertue
           ,
           if
           the
           interweaving
           of
           passages
           relating
           to
           Beauty
           and
           Love
           ,
           did
           not
           help
           to
           make
           the
           Tragical
           story
           ,
           Delightful
           ,
           and
           the
           Excellent
           Sufferers
           Piety
           ,
           Amiable
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           be
           objected
           ,
           that
           in
           some
           of
           the
           discourses
           of
           the
           two
           Martyrs
           ,
           there
           are
           Passages
           that
           argue
           more
           Knowledge
           ,
           than
           is
           likely
           to
           have
           been
           found
           in
           Lay
           Persons
           no
           Elder
           than
           they
           .
           I
           answer
           ,
           that
           such
           Discourses
           indeed
           were
           somewhat
           strange
           ,
           if
           they
           were
           ascrib'd
           to
           a
           young
           Gallant
           ,
           and
           a
           younger
           Lady
           ,
           of
           Our
           degenerate
           Times
           ;
           wherein
           so
           many
           Persons
           of
           that
           sort
           ,
           make
           Diversion
           their
           grand
           Business
           ;
           and
           ,
           having
           as
           little
           Leisure
           as
           Concern
           to
           mind
           any
           thing
           ,
           but
           their
           Pleasures
           and
           petty
           Interests
           ,
           think
           it
           their
           Priviledge
           to
           know
           little
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           leave
           to
           meaner
           People
           the
           study
           of
           
           things
           Serious
           and
           Useful
           .
           But
           ,
           though
           among
           this
           sort
           of
           Persons
           ,
           it
           were
           so
           difficult
           to
           find
           many
           that
           would
           Emulate
           such
           Knowledge
           and
           Vertue
           as
           shin'd
           in
           Theodora
           ,
           that
           I
           fear
           they
           would
           not
           so
           much
           as
           believe
           them
           ;
           yet
           among
           better
           qualify'd
           Judges
           ,
           the
           lately
           propos'd
           objection
           will
           be
           of
           no
           great
           force
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           consider'd
           ,
           that
           Didymus
           and
           Theodora
           liv'd
           in
           the
           Primitive
           and
           devout
           times
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Roman
           Empire
           ,
           when
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           was
           as
           diligently
           Taught
           by
           Excellent
           Divines
           ,
           as
           frequently
           Oppos'd
           by
           Arguments
           ,
           and
           violently
           assaulted
           by
           Persecutions
           .
           Upon
           which
           scores
           ,
           the
           zealous
           Candidates
           of
           Martyrdom
           ,
           many
           of
           which
           obtain'd
           the
           Crown
           of
           it
           ,
           even
           in
           their
           greener
           Age
           ,
           were
           early
           and
           skilfully
           instructed
           in
           the
           truths
           of
           their
           own
           Religion
           ,
           and
           furnish'd
           with
           good
           Arguments
           ,
           both
           to
           Defend
           It
           ,
           and
           Confute
           the
           Erroneous
           Opinions
           and
           Impious
           worships
           
           of
           their
           Heathen
           Adversaries
           .
           Nor
           is
           it
           any
           wonder
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           think
           That
           Religion
           worth
           Studying
           ,
           that
           they
           thought
           worth
           Dying
           for
           .
           I
           will
           not
           here
           examine
           ,
           whether
           the
           Ignorance
           wont
           to
           be
           imputed
           to
           Women
           ,
           be
           Their
           fault
           ,
           or
           that
           of
           their
           Accusers
           ,
           and
           whether
           it
           is
           any
           natural
           want
           of
           Capacity
           ,
           or
           rather
           want
           of
           Instruction
           ,
           that
           keeps
           most
           of
           them
           from
           Knowledge
           ,
           though
           This
           regards
           not
           Sexes
           .
           But
           without
           inquiry
           ,
           whether
           it
           be
           not
           our
           Interest
           ,
           or
           our
           Envy
           ,
           that
           Makes
           Women
           what
           we
           are
           wont
           to
           decry
           them
           for
           Being
           ;
           I
           shall
           not
           scruple
           to
           own
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           sometimes
           had
           the
           honour
           to
           converse
           with
           Ladys
           ,
           that
           convinc'd
           me
           ,
           That
           ,
           to
           attain
           to
           a
           great
           proficiency
           in
           Knowledge
           ,
           't
           is
           not
           necessary
           to
           be
           a
           Doctor
           of
           Divinity
           ,
           or
           so
           much
           as
           a
           Man
           ,
           since
           they
           discours'd
           of
           Divine
           things
           ,
           with
           no
           less
           Wit
           than
           Piety
           .
           And
           to
           return
           to
           our
           Martyr
           ,
           if
           we
           
           may
           judge
           by
           the
           Effects
           ,
           we
           may
           reasonably
           suppose
           ,
           that
           our
           Virgins
           Parents
           not
           only
           thought
           it
           their
           Duty
           ,
           but
           took
           much
           Pleasure
           ,
           to
           Cultivate
           so
           excellent
           and
           promising
           a
           Subject
           as
           their
           fair
           Daughter
           .
           Since
           great
           advantages
           of
           Nature
           and
           general
           Grace
           should
           rather
           Invite
           ,
           than
           Excuse
           ,
           Improvements
           by
           Education
           ;
           as
           even
           the
           
             Garden
             of
             Eden
          
           ,
           though
           an
           admirably
           fertile
           Soil
           ,
           and
           planted
           by
           God's
           own
           Hands
           ,
           was
           not
           so
           left
           to
           itself
           ,
           but
           that
           Adam
           was
           appointed
           to
           dress
           it
           ,
           and
           to
           keep
           it
           .
           And
           if
           the
           Discourses
           of
           our
           Martyrs
           are
           sometimes
           less
           short
           than
           they
           might
           have
           been
           made
           ;
           I
           hope
           it
           may
           be
           some
           excuse
           ,
           that
           I
           was
           not
           unwilling
           ,
           to
           lay
           hold
           now
           and
           then
           of
           the
           Rises
           afforded
           me
           by
           some
           occasions
           ,
           to
           shew
           ,
           that
           Romantick
           Subjects
           are
           not
           ,
           as
           too
           many
           Persons
           of
           Quality
           think
           them
           ,
           the
           Only
           ones
           ,
           that
           may
           be
           treated
           of
           in
           a
           Gentleman-like
           stile
           ;
           and
           that
           even
           
           some
           noble
           Questions
           in
           Divinity
           ,
           and
           some
           of
           the
           severer
           Dictates
           of
           the
           Christian
           Morals
           ,
           may
           be
           discours'd
           of
           ,
           without
           the
           harshness
           of
           the
           School
           Terms
           ,
           or
           the
           downright
           plainness
           of
           some
           better
           Meant
           ,
           than
           Pen'd
           ,
           Books
           of
           Theology
           and
           Devotion
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           like
           Sir
           ,
           you
           will
           think
           it
           strange
           ,
           that
           I
           make
           so
           Pious
           a
           Person
           as
           Theodora
           ,
           offer
           her
           Breast
           to
           
           Didymus's
           Sword
           ,
           and
           by
           soliciting
           him
           to
           Kill
           her
           ,
           tempt
           him
           to
           an
           Action
           ,
           which
           would
           make
           her
           guilty
           of
           a
           Murder
           ,
           and
           make
           him
           greatly
           accessory
           to
           it
           .
           But
           possibly
           her
           Action
           would
           not
           appear
           very
           strange
           ,
           if
           we
           were
           not
           too
           enclinable
           to
           estimate
           the
           Affairs
           of
           Past
           Times
           ,
           and
           Remote
           Regions
           ,
           by
           the
           Opinions
           and
           Customes
           of
           our
           own
           Age
           and
           Countrys
           .
           For
           ,
           what
           ever
           we
           now
           justly
           think
           of
           the
           sinfulness
           of
           Destroying
           a
           Mans
           self
           ,
           whether
           immediately
           or
           otherwise
           ,
           yet
           I
           must
           not
           
           deny
           ,
           but
           that
           divers
           of
           the
           Ancient
           Christians
           thought
           it
           not
           Criminal
           ,
           when
           it
           was
           necessary
           for
           the
           preservation
           of
           Chastity
           .
           And
           ,
           if
           I
           much
           misremember
           not
           ,
           St.
           Jerom
           himself
           ,
           where
           he
           speaks
           of
           the
           unlawfulness
           of
           Self-destroying
           ,
           intimates
           ,
           that
           he
           excepts
           the
           Case
           of
           an
           inevitable
           danger
           of
           a
           Rape
           .
           But
           my
           chief
           answer
           is
           ,
           that
           having
           found
           the
           Virgin
           Martyrs
           proposal
           expresly
           deliver'd
           by
           the
           Author
           I
           was
           to
           follow
           ,
           I
           judg'd
           it
           the
           part
           of
           an
           Historian
           not
           to
           suppress
           it
           ;
           which
           I
           acknowledge
           ,
           I
           the
           rather
           declin'd
           to
           do
           ,
           because
           Theodoras
           offer
           was
           a
           noble
           evincement
           ,
           both
           of
           her
           Gratitude
           and
           her
           Generosity
           .
           And
           therefore
           ,
           instead
           of
           Omitting
           so
           considerable
           an
           Action
           of
           hers
           ,
           I
           chose
           rather
           to
           Set
           my
           thoughts
           a
           work
           ,
           to
           find
           a
           plausible
           Colour
           for
           it
           .
           Which
           whether
           I
           have
           happily
           done
           ,
           by
           supplying
           her
           with
           the
           Example
           of
           a
           Prophet
           ,
           who
           ,
           though
           he
           would
           not
           
           cast
           Himself
           into
           the
           Sea
           ,
           yet
           solicited
           Others
           to
           cast
           him
           ,
           (
           and
           that
           having
           first
           bound
           him
           )
           I
           must
           leave
           You
           to
           judge
           .
        
         
           I
           freely
           confess
           ,
           Sir
           ,
           that
           ,
           if
           the
           following
           Piece
           had
           been
           written
           by
           One
           ,
           that
           I
           were
           fond
           of
           Censuring
           ,
           I
           could
           my self
           find
           enough
           in
           it
           to
           Criticize
           upon
           ;
           and
           should
           object
           against
           it
           ,
           besides
           the
           want
           of
           Uniformity
           throughout
           ,
           That
           if
           judg'd
           of
           by
           the
           strict
           Rules
           of
           Art
           ,
           it
           ought
           to
           pass
           for
           an
           Irregular
           Piece
           .
           And
           therefore
           I
           shall
           not
           wonder
           ,
           if
           Nicer
           Criticks
           ,
           and
           more
           vers'd
           in
           Exquisite
           Composures
           than
           I
           pretend
           to
           be
           ,
           shall
           find
           fault
           with
           this
           Artless
           one
           of
           mine
           .
           But
           the
           reception
           that
           the
           following
           Papers
           met
           with
           ,
           from
           the
           Persons
           for
           whom
           they
           were
           chiefly
           written
           ,
           affords
           me
           the
           Consolation
           derivable
           from
           the
           ingenious
           saying
           of
           that
           excellent
           Wit
           ,
           who
           declar'd
           ,
           
             He
             had
             rather
             the
             Dishes
             
             serv'd
             up
             at
             his
             Treat
             ,
             should
             please
             the
             Guests
             ,
             than
             the
             Cooks
             .
          
           And
           I
           might
           say
           too
           ,
           that
           some
           of
           the
           Passages
           that
           may
           meet
           with
           Censure
           ,
           would
           perhaps
           escape
           it
           ;
           if
           in
           writing
           this
           Book
           many
           years
           agoe
           ,
           I
           had
           not
           had
           some
           Aims
           ,
           that
           I
           then
           thought
           more
           fit
           to
           be
           Pursu'd
           ,
           than
           I
           now
           do
           to
           be
           Declar'd
           .
           Yet
           I
           will
           not
           here
           dissemble
           ,
           that
           I
           know
           it
           may
           be
           thought
           by
           some
           ,
           that
           this
           Paper
           should
           have
           consisted
           less
           of
           Conversations
           ,
           and
           more
           of
           Narratives
           .
           But
           I
           chose
           the
           way
           of
           Writing
           I
           have
           employ'd
           ,
           partly
           because
           the
           Authors
           I
           met
           with
           furnish'd
           me
           with
           so
           very
           few
           matters
           of
           Fact
           ,
           that
           if
           I
           would
           have
           confin'd
           my self
           to
           Relations
           ;
           I
           must
           have
           compriz'd
           this
           piece
           in
           a
           very
           few
           Pages
           ,
           and
           have
           finish'd
           it
           presently
           after
           I
           had
           begun
           it
           :
           And
           partly
           too
           ,
           (
           and
           indeed
           much
           more
           )
           because
           (
           as
           I
           lately
           began
           to
           intimate
           )
           my
           chief
           design
           was
           not
           so
           much
           ,
           to
           
           perform
           the
           Office
           of
           a
           meer
           Historian
           ,
           as
           to
           take
           Rises
           from
           the
           several
           Circumstances
           I
           should
           relate
           ,
           to
           convey
           unperceivedly
           ,
           into
           the
           minds
           of
           those
           young
           Persons
           of
           Quality
           for
           whom
           I
           wrote
           ,
           Sentiments
           of
           true
           Piety
           and
           Vertue
           .
           And
           these
           I
           thought
           would
           not
           so
           happily
           gain
           admittance
           and
           entertainment
           ,
           if
           they
           were
           presented
           in
           a
           Scholar
           like-Discourse
           ,
           or
           aprofess'd
           Book
           of
           devotion
           ,
           as
           when
           they
           were
           taken
           ,
           not
           from
           common
           places
           but
           from
           the
           Nature
           of
           the
           Things
           and
           Persons
           Introduc'd
           ;
           and
           without
           formality
           Instill'd
           by
           the
           occasional
           discourses
           of
           a
           young
           Gentleman
           and
           fair
           Lady
           ,
           for
           whom
           the
           Beauty
           and
           the
           Merit
           ascrib'd
           to
           the
           Speakers
           ,
           had
           given
           the
           Hearers
           as
           great
           Esteem
           and
           Kindness
           .
           And
           I
           shall
           not
           scruple
           to
           own
           ,
           that
           I
           ,
           who
           who
           value
           time
           above
           most
           other
           things
           ,
           did
           not
           think
           it
           worth
           the
           expence
           of
           mine
           ,
           to
           give
           my self
           the
           trouble
           of
           Writing
           a
           Book
           ,
           only
           to
           give
           others
           a
           Divertisement
           in
           
           Reading
           it
           .
           And
           whilst
           I
           was
           Conversing
           with
           such
           Excellent
           Company
           ,
           as
           our
           noble
           Martyrs
           ,
           and
           Meditating
           on
           such
           Serious
           Subjects
           ,
           as
           are
           Death
           ,
           and
           the
           Worth
           of
           that
           Heavenly
           Religion
           for
           whose
           sake
           They
           despis'd
           It
           ;
           I
           found
           my self
           Incited
           ,
           and
           thought
           my self
           Oblig'd
           ,
           to
           aim
           less
           at
           the
           Pleasing
           of
           some
           few
           Nice
           Exactors
           of
           Regularity
           ,
           than
           to
           Possess
           many
           Readers
           with
           high
           and
           noble
           Sentiments
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           sublime
           Dictates
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           thereby
           both
           Elevate
           their
           minds
           to
           a
           generous
           Contempt
           of
           all
           they
           can
           lose
           and
           suffer
           for
           it
           ,
           and
           Fill
           them
           with
           bright
           
           Idea's
           of
           Heroick
           Vertue
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           much
           brighter
           Glories
           that
           will
           Crown
           it
           .
           By
           such
           Reflections
           ,
           I
           was
           induc'd
           not
           to
           omit
           some
           Passages
           that
           seem'd
           likely
           to
           further
           the
           main
           Ends
           I
           pursu'd
           ,
           though
           I
           foresaw
           ,
           that
           perhaps
           some
           rigid
           Judges
           would
           say
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           have
           been
           spar'd
           .
           
           For
           as
           I
           writ
           not
           a
           Romance
           ,
           wherein
           Authors
           are
           wont
           to
           aim
           no
           higher
           ,
           than
           to
           Delight
           the
           Delicate
           Readers
           ,
           and
           Escape
           the
           Critical
           ones
           ,
           by
           making
           their
           Composures
           Diverting
           and
           Regular
           ;
           so
           I
           presum'd
           that
           to
           employ
           a
           more
           Useful
           ,
           though
           less
           Fashionamble
           way
           of
           Writing
           ,
           was
           allowable
           for
           Me
           ,
           who
           ought
           to
           endeavour
           in
           such
           a
           piece
           as
           This
           ,
           rather
           to
           propose
           Patterns
           of
           Vertue
           ,
           than
           Models
           of
           Skill
           or
           Eloquence
           ;
           and
           to
           think
           it
           more
           Successful
           ,
           if
           the
           Readers
           shall
           upon
           perusing
           it
           ,
           Imitate
           our
           excellent
           Martyrs
           Piety
           ,
           than
           if
           they
           should
           only
           Applaud
           their
           History
           .
           Which
           both
           as
           to
           Stile
           and
           Reasonings
           ,
           is
           freely
           submitted
           to
           your
           Judgment
           ,
           by
        
         
           
             Sir
             ,
          
           
             your
             most
             &c.
             
          
        
      
       
         
         
           ERRATA
           .
        
         
           
             PReface
             Page
             3.
             line
             19.
             read
          
           Jonathan
           Caesar
           ,
           &c.
           p.
           5.
           l.
           11.
           r.
           
             feign
             Contents
          
           Ch.
           1.
           r.
           Chamber
           .
           Ch.
           3.
           r.
           thinking
           .
           P.
           80.
           l.
           16.
           r.
           
             manifest
             Danger
          
           ,
           &c.
           p.
           89.
           l.
           14.
           r.
           
             and
             let
             her
             see
          
           ,
           &c.
           p.
           152.
           l.
           14.
           r.
           enough
           .
           p.
           222.
           l.
           17.
           r.
           
             her
             Kindness
          
           ,
           &c.
           p.
           227.
           l.
           1.
           for
           having
           ,
           r.
           did
           .
           ibid.
           l.
           4.
           for
           assum'd
           ,
           r.
           assume
           .
           p.
           238.
           l.
           15.
           r.
           
             of
             all
             other
          
           ,
           &c.
           
        
      
       
         
         
           Some
           Books
           Printed
           for
           ,
           and
           Sold
           by
           John
           Taylor
           ,
           at
           the
           Ship
           in
           St.
           Paul's
           Church-yard
           .
        
         
           A
           Free
           Enquiry
           into
           the
           Vulgarly
           Receiv'd
           Notion
           of
           Nature
           ,
           made
           in
           an
           Essay
           ,
           address'd
           to
           a
           Friend
           .
           In
           English
           and
           Latine
           ,
           for
           the
           Benefit
           of
           Forreiners
           .
           By
           
             R.
             B.
          
           Fellow
           of
           the
           
             Royal
             Society
          
           .
        
         
           The
           Declamations
           of
           Quintilian
           ,
           being
           an
           Exercitation
           or
           Praxis
           upon
           his
           Twelve
           Books
           ,
           concerning
           the
           Institution
           of
           an
           Orator
           .
           Translated
           (
           from
           the
           Oxford
           Theater
           Edition
           )
           into
           English
           ,
           by
           a
           Learned
           and
           Ingenious
           Hand
           ,
           with
           the
           Approbation
           of
           several
           Eminent
           Schoolmasters
           in
           the
           City
           of
           London
           .
        
         
           The
           Happy
           Ascetick
           ,
           or
           the
           best
           Exercise
           ;
           with
           a
           Letter
           to
           a
           Person
           of
           Quality
           ,
           concerning
           the
           Lives
           of
           the
           Primitive
           Christians
           .
           By
           
             Anthony
             Horneck
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           Preacher
           at
           the
           Savoy
           .
        
         
           
             Academia
             Scientiarum
          
           :
           Or
           the
           Academy
           of
           Sciences
           .
           Being
           a
           short
           and
           easie
           Introduction
           to
           the
           Knowledge
           of
           the
           Liberal
           Arts
           and
           Sciences
           .
           With
           the
           Names
           of
           those
           famous
           Authors
           that
           have
           written
           on
           every
           particular
           Science
           .
           
             In
             English
             and
             Latin.
          
           By
           
             D.
             Abercromby
          
           .
           M.
           D.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         THE
         Martyrdom
         OF
         THEODORA
         .
      
       
         
           BOOK
           II.
           
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             I.
             
          
           
             THough
             it
             may
             seem
             ill-natur'd
             to
             leave
             the
             Chast
             Theodora
             in
             so
             deplorable
             a
             Condition
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             requisite
             to
             do
             so
             for
             a
             while
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             learn
             what
             was
             attempted
             to
             rescue
             her
             out
             of
             it
             .
          
           
           
             It
             is
             not
             to
             be
             doubted
             ,
             but
             that
             ,
             Didymus
             was
             not
             long
             kept
             a
             stranger
             to
             the
             barbarous
             usage
             she
             had
             suffered
             .
             That
             of
             so
             illustrious
             a
             Lady
             could
             not
             but
             make
             a
             great
             noise
             ,
             and
             reach
             a
             multitude
             of
             ears
             ;
             and
             especially
             those
             of
             so
             concern'd
             a
             Person
             as
             Didymus
             :
             The
             wounds
             of
             Lovers
             tender
             hearts
             ,
             giving
             them
             oftentimes
             secret
             Presages
             of
             approaching
             misfortunes
             relating
             to
             their
             Love
             :
             As
             many
             other
             wounded
             men
             have
             the
             unhappy
             Priviledge
             of
             being
             able
             ,
             by
             feeling
             of
             pain
             ,
             to
             discern
             such
             approaches
             of
             ill
             weather
             ,
             as
             affect
             not
             unhurt
             men
             .
          
           
             Didymus
             therefore
             being
             quickly
             too
             much
             ascertain'd
             of
             the
             unwelcome
             News
             of
             the
             distress
             of
             his
             fair
             Mistress
             ,
             was
             too
             generous
             a
             Lover
             to
             deliberate
             ,
             whether
             he
             should
             expose
             his
             life
             for
             her
             rescue
             :
             His
             deliberation
             being
             only
             about
             the
             means
             ,
             how
             to
             make
             so
             difficult
             an
             attempt
             a
             prosperous
             one
             .
             In
             order
             to
             this
             ,
             
             he
             happily
             finds
             out
             one
             of
             the
             Officers
             of
             the
             Guards
             ,
             that
             were
             placed
             about
             the
             infamous
             House
             ,
             to
             which
             Theodora
             was
             condemned
             :
             Who
             having
             been
             his
             fellow
             Soldier
             in
             the
             Roman
             Armies
             ;
             he
             hoped
             would
             either
             for
             the
             sake
             of
             Vertue
             or
             of
             Didymus
             ,
             be
             prevail'd
             with
             to
             further
             so
             handsom
             a
             Design
             as
             his
             .
          
           
             Wherefore
             addressing
             himself
             to
             this
             Commander
             ,
             with
             a
             very
             obliging
             and
             yet
             civil
             Freedom
             :
             Generous
             Septimius
             ,
             saies
             he
             ,
             I
             cannot
             but
             look
             upon
             it
             as
             one
             of
             the
             chief
             advantages
             I
             have
             obtain'd
             by
             venturing
             my
             Life
             in
             the
             Roman
             Camps
             ,
             that
             I
             had
             the
             happiness
             to
             be
             acquainted
             with
             you
             there
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             a
             spectator
             of
             your
             Gallantry
             ;
             which
             did
             not
             only
             then
             raise
             me
             to
             a
             desire
             of
             imitating
             it
             ,
             but
             allows
             me
             now
             to
             own
             a
             request
             to
             you
             ,
             that
             none
             but
             a
             gallant
             Person
             ought
             to
             be
             entrusted
             with
             ,
             or
             would
             easily
             grant
             .
             Generous
             Didymus
             ,
             replies
             the
             Roman
             ,
             When
             I
             accompanied
             you
             in
             following
             
             our
             propitious
             Eagles
             ,
             I
             found
             so
             great
             a
             contentment
             in
             your
             acquaintance
             ,
             and
             so
             strong
             a
             spur
             to
             Glory
             ,
             in
             your
             examples
             ,
             that
             I
             look'd
             upon
             the
             advantage
             of
             having
             been
             your
             fellow
             Soldier
             ,
             as
             preferable
             to
             the
             honour
             of
             Leading
             the
             most
             numerous
             Troops
             I
             may
             at
             any
             time
             Command
             .
             And
             I
             shall
             think
             all
             the
             hazards
             I
             then
             expos'd
             my self
             to
             ,
             abundantly
             rewarded
             ,
             if
             any
             power
             they
             have
             procured
             me
             ,
             may
             enable
             me
             to
             do
             you
             service
             .
             Tell
             me
             then
             frankly
             ,
             in
             what
             case
             ,
             and
             after
             what
             manner
             ,
             you
             would
             have
             it
             employ'd
             for
             you
             ;
             and
             as
             I
             assure
             my self
             ,
             that
             so
             vertuous
             a
             Friend
             as
             Dydimus
             ,
             will
             desire
             nothing
             but
             what
             is
             just
             ,
             so
             he
             may
             assure
             himself
             ,
             not
             to
             be
             refus'd
             any
             service
             ,
             that
             is
             but
             Dangerous
             .
          
           
             Our
             Lover
             embolden'd
             by
             so
             encouraging
             a
             declaration
             ,
             first
             made
             him
             a
             very
             grateful
             Acknowledgment
             for
             it
             ,
             and
             then
             proceeded
             to
             say
             ,
             
             If
             you
             have
             ever
             had
             the
             happiness
             to
             be
             acquainted
             with
             Theodora
             ,
             or
             so
             much
             as
             to
             have
             seen
             her
             ,
             't
             would
             be
             needless
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             improper
             ,
             for
             me
             to
             offer
             at
             giving
             you
             a
             Character
             of
             her
             ,
             which
             you
             must
             needs
             think
             injurious
             to
             her
             .
             But
             if
             you
             have
             not
             ,
             the
             shortness
             of
             the
             time
             will
             only
             permit
             me
             to
             assure
             you
             ,
             that
             not
             only
             she
             has
             given
             me
             those
             Sentiments
             of
             her
             Excellencies
             ,
             that
             I
             never
             had
             ,
             nor
             ever
             thought
             my self
             capable
             of
             having
             ,
             for
             any
             of
             her
             Sex
             ;
             but
             that
             in
             other
             Persons
             strangely
             indispos'd
             to
             admit
             such
             impressions
             ,
             she
             has
             often
             excited
             such
             wonder
             and
             such
             flames
             ,
             as
             very
             rarely
             have
             been
             produced
             in
             other
             men
             ,
             and
             perhaps
             ,
             more
             rarely
             been
             merited
             by
             other
             women
             .
          
           
             This
             admirable
             Person
             ,
             for
             exercising
             among
             other
             vertues
             ,
             that
             of
             an
             invincible
             Constancy
             ,
             to
             her
             Religion
             ,
             and
             refusing
             to
             Sacrifice
             to
             
               Venus
               ,
               Flora
            
             ,
             and
             some
             other
             of
             those
             Deities
             ,
             whom
             her
             Perfections
             might
             ,
             
             though
             her
             Religion
             did
             not
             ,
             exempt
             from
             adoring
             ;
             is
             by
             your
             savage
             President
             condemn'd
             to
             be
             expos'd
             to
             the
             publick
             Lust
             :
             And
             a
             Party
             of
             those
             gallant
             Roman
             Soldiers
             ,
             that
             use
             to
             be
             so
             gloriously
             led
             on
             by
             you
             ,
             to
             win
             Battels
             ,
             conquer
             Kingdoms
             ,
             and
             enlarge
             at
             once
             the
             Fame
             and
             Limits
             of
             the
             Empire
             ,
             are
             now
             employ'd
             to
             captivate
             innocent
             Virgins
             ,
             and
             defend
             their
             brutish
             Ravishers
             .
             You
             may
             easily
             guess
             by
             this
             ,
             continues
             he
             ,
             that
             my
             request
             is
             like
             to
             prove
             an
             earnest
             one
             ;
             that
             you
             would
             please
             to
             treat
             with
             some
             of
             those
             soldiers
             of
             yours
             ,
             in
             whom
             you
             think
             you
             have
             the
             greatest
             Interest
             ,
             and
             dispose
             them
             to
             assist
             me
             in
             rescuing
             Theodora
             out
             of
             so
             infamous
             a
             Prison
             ,
             and
             accept
             from
             me
             greater
             recompences
             for
             doing
             a
             handsom
             action
             ,
             than
             they
             can
             expect
             from
             the
             President
             ,
             for
             doing
             a
             barbarous
             one
             ;
             I
             hope
             I
             need
             not
             tell
             you
             ,
             in
             the
             hast
             this
             affair
             requires
             ,
             that
             all
             possible
             care
             will
             be
             taken
             to
             keep
             you
             from
             being
             endanger'd
             by
             Theodoras
             
             deliverance
             ,
             nor
             will
             I
             add
             how
             unexpressible
             an
             Obligation
             you
             will
             lay
             on
             me
             ,
             to
             heighten
             my
             gratitude
             to
             some
             proportion
             to
             your
             Favours
             ;
             because
             I
             know
             it
             must
             necessarily
             fall
             short
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             are
             due
             to
             a
             person
             that
             loves
             to
             do
             gallant
             Actions
             for
             their
             own
             sake
             ,
             and
             had
             rather
             have
             great
             debts
             of
             gratitude
             ,
             remain
             due
             to
             him
             ,
             than
             paid
             to
             him
             ;
             wherefore
             I
             shall
             only
             mind
             you
             ,
             that
             the
             time
             is
             so
             short
             ,
             that
             if
             your
             assistance
             be
             not
             as
             quick
             as
             obliging
             ,
             I
             fear
             't
             will
             be
             as
             ineffectual
             .
             I
             shall
             quicken
             you
             only
             by
             assuring
             you
             ,
             that
             when
             you
             act
             for
             the
             accomplish'd
             Theodora
             ,
             you
             act
             for
             a
             person
             that
             has
             a
             Right
             to
             all
             that
             Beauty
             and
             Vertue
             can
             give
             one
             a
             Title
             to
             .
          
           
             With
             the
             same
             freedom
             ,
             replies
             Septimius
             ,
             with
             which
             you
             have
             own'd
             to
             me
             your
             Religion
             ,
             I
             declare
             to
             you
             ,
             that
             mine
             is
             that
             of
             my
             Country
             ,
             and
             my
             Ancestors
             ;
             and
             that
             I
             worship
             those
             propitious
             Deities
             ,
             that
             have
             made
             the
             Romans
             the
             Conquerors
             
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             rewarded
             those
             that
             adored
             them
             with
             an
             Universal
             Monarchy
             ;
             but
             though
             I
             exceedingly
             approve
             so
             triumphant
             a
             Religion
             ,
             yet
             I
             confess
             to
             you
             ,
             that
             I
             do
             not
             like
             the
             waies
             that
             the
             President
             takes
             to
             propogate
             it
             :
             such
             cruel
             methods
             being
             apt
             to
             make
             the
             world
             suspect
             ,
             that
             our
             best
             Argument
             is
             Force
             :
             And
             whilst
             the
             Persecutors
             think
             it
             a
             glorious
             thing
             to
             see
             the
             Temples
             fill'd
             at
             any
             rate
             ;
             I
             had
             rather
             see
             in
             them
             fewer
             but
             sincere
             Votaries
             ,
             than
             have
             them
             throng'd
             with
             such
             pusillanimous
             Dissemblers
             ,
             as
             would
             not
             come
             in
             ,
             unless
             they
             were
             Scar'd
             in
             ,
             thither
             .
             And
             ,
             though
             Terrors
             and
             Torments
             work
             sometimes
             upon
             the
             weaker
             sort
             of
             Christians
             ,
             yet
             the
             more
             resolute
             do
             so
             often
             despise
             them
             ,
             that
             our
             Persecutions
             convert
             not
             those
             unhappy
             persons
             ,
             but
             frequently
             stagger
             many
             of
             our
             own
             ;
             and
             I
             confess
             freely
             to
             you
             ,
             Didymus
             ,
             that
             all
             the
             Christians
             Arguments
             work
             less
             with
             me
             ,
             than
             our
             inhumane
             manner
             of
             confuting
             
             them
             .
             But
             I
             do
             not
             only
             disapprove
             ,
             but
             detest
             ,
             this
             infamous
             Practice
             of
             our
             President
             ;
             which
             makes
             him
             loose
             not
             the
             respect
             only
             and
             the
             pitty
             ,
             but
             the
             common
             Humanity
             we
             owe
             to
             Women
             ,
             and
             think
             to
             do
             the
             Goddesses
             a
             service
             ,
             by
             disfiguring
             their
             fairest
             Images
             here
             below
             ,
             with
             the
             most
             shameful
             of
             Blemishes
             .
             I
             cannot
             bring
             my self
             to
             imagine
             ,
             that
             such
             gentle
             Deities
             ,
             can
             like
             such
             barbarous
             Worshippers
             ,
             who
             not
             only
             immolate
             to
             them
             the
             lives
             of
             men
             ,
             but
             what
             is
             far
             more
             precious
             ,
             the
             Vertue
             and
             Honour
             of
             Women
             ;
             for
             if
             I
             could
             believe
             they
             like
             such
             Sacrifices
             ,
             I
             should
             think
             them
             unworthy
             any
             Sacrifices
             at
             all
             .
             You
             will
             easily
             therefore
             ,
             Didymus
             ,
             credit
             me
             ,
             that
             I
             was
             absent
             when
             my
             soldiers
             were
             put
             by
             the
             insolent
             Judge
             ,
             upon
             so
             mean
             an
             employment
             .
             He
             durst
             not
             have
             offered
             to
             have
             obtruded
             it
             upon
             them
             ,
             had
             I
             been
             there
             ;
             or
             if
             he
             had
             ,
             I
             had
             dared
             to
             use
             him
             as
             his
             insolence
             had
             deserved
             .
             But
             without
             loosing
             time
             
             in
             passionate
             Expostulations
             ,
             about
             things
             made
             remediless
             ,
             by
             being
             past
             ,
             let
             us
             speedily
             apply
             our selves
             to
             the
             rescue
             of
             Theodora
             .
             For
             ,
             though
             I
             have
             heard
             strange
             things
             of
             her
             ,
             and
             such
             as
             made
             me
             think
             Fame
             a
             great
             Flatterer
             ,
             if
             not
             a
             frontless
             Liar
             ,
             yet
             I
             believe
             the
             Reports
             about
             Theodora
             ,
             as
             I
             believe
             the
             Delphick
             Oracles
             ,
             now
             that
             I
             find
             so
             undeniable
             a
             Testimony
             of
             her
             merit
             ,
             as
             her
             being
             your
             Mistress
             .
             I
             will
             therefore
             without
             delay
             ,
             prepare
             some
             Soldiers
             to
             assist
             you
             in
             her
             Rescue
             ,
             and
             I
             cannot
             doubt
             the
             success
             in
             an
             attempt
             made
             to
             serve
             a
             distrest
             Beauty
             ,
             and
             a
             generous
             Friend
             .
             If
             there
             be
             occasion
             ,
             you
             need
             not
             doubt
             of
             my
             more
             openly
             appearing
             for
             you
             .
             For
             how
             highly
             soever
             such
             an
             action
             may
             provoke
             the
             President
             ,
             or
             even
             the
             Emperour
             ,
             I
             hope
             to
             let
             you
             see
             ,
             that
             you
             have
             trusted
             a
             Roman
             ,
             a
             person
             that
             had
             rather
             be
             the
             object
             ,
             than
             the
             minister
             of
             their
             Cruelties
             ,
             and
             would
             not
             be
             accessary
             to
             such
             a
             misemployment
             of
             Absolute
             Power
             ,
             
             to
             be
             made
             a
             Sharer
             in
             it
             .
          
           
             As
             soon
             as
             Septimius
             had
             ended
             these
             words
             ,
             he
             did
             ,
             to
             prevent
             those
             acknowledgments
             he
             saw
             Didymus
             was
             about
             to
             make
             him
             ,
             take
             that
             gallant
             Youth
             by
             the
             hand
             ;
             and
             leading
             him
             towards
             the
             place
             ,
             where
             he
             expected
             to
             find
             the
             Soldiers
             he
             most
             confided
             in
             ,
             he
             entertain'd
             him
             in
             the
             way
             about
             the
             hopefullest
             Expedients
             for
             the
             compassing
             of
             his
             admirable
             Mistresses
             Rescue
             .
             And
             having
             afterwards
             sent
             for
             the
             two
             persons
             ,
             he
             thought
             likeliest
             to
             be
             prevail'd
             on
             ,
             to
             a
             convenient
             place
             ,
             near
             to
             that
             to
             which
             they
             had
             brought
             Theodora
             ;
             he
             brieflly
             ,
             but
             pathetically
             ,
             declaring
             to
             them
             ,
             how
             much
             the
             brave
             Didymus
             was
             his
             friend
             ,
             and
             how
             much
             he
             deserv'd
             to
             be
             so
             ,
             enflam'd
             them
             with
             an
             indignation
             at
             the
             savage
             Presidents
             disgracing
             them
             ,
             by
             so
             infamous
             an
             employment
             ,
             as
             they
             were
             now
             about
             ;
             and
             then
             assur'd
             them
             of
             rewards
             from
             Dydimus
             ,
             suitable
             to
             the
             liberality
             of
             so
             generous
             
             a
             Person
             :
             After
             which
             withdrawing
             himself
             ,
             to
             give
             Didymus
             a
             short
             account
             ,
             how
             far
             he
             had
             proceeded
             ,
             he
             left
             the
             rest
             to
             be
             compleated
             by
             him
             ;
             who
             prompted
             by
             his
             native
             liberality
             ,
             and
             his
             high
             concern
             ,
             did
             not
             stay
             to
             cheapen
             his
             Mistresses
             Liberty
             ,
             but
             with
             the
             hasty
             Passion
             of
             a
             Lover
             ,
             proffer'd
             them
             more
             than
             even
             
             Septimius's
             promises
             gave
             them
             reason
             to
             expect
             :
             Nor
             would
             he
             have
             declin'd
             to
             embrace
             any
             Articles
             of
             Agreement
             ,
             they
             could
             have
             propos'd
             ,
             though
             the
             parting
             with
             his
             Life
             had
             been
             one
             ,
             so
             Theodoras
             Deliverance
             were
             another
             .
          
           
             The
             sence
             these
             soldiers
             had
             of
             the
             affront
             put
             on
             them
             ,
             by
             the
             President
             ,
             joyn'd
             with
             the
             Ambition
             they
             had
             to
             please
             their
             lov'd
             Commander
             ,
             and
             the
             gratitude
             his
             friends
             profus'd
             Bounty
             had
             newly
             oblig'd
             them
             to
             ;
             made
             them
             quickly
             accommodate
             Didymus
             with
             a
             military
             Habit
             ,
             and
             prepare
             some
             of
             their
             Comrades
             to
             allow
             him
             the
             first
             admittance
             into
             
             her
             Chamber
             ;
             partly
             by
             sharing
             some
             of
             the
             newly
             receiv'd
             Presents
             among
             them
             ,
             and
             probably
             by
             representing
             him
             to
             them
             ,
             when
             thus
             prepar'd
             ,
             as
             a
             person
             who
             having
             been
             passionately
             in
             love
             with
             Theodora
             ,
             and
             been
             scornfully
             slighted
             by
             her
             ,
             was
             desirous
             at
             any
             rate
             ,
             to
             satisfie
             at
             once
             his
             appetite
             and
             his
             revenge
             .
             And
             by
             this
             means
             ,
             before
             that
             short
             time
             was
             expir'd
             ,
             that
             had
             been
             as
             an
             Act
             of
             Grace
             ,
             allow'd
             the
             disconsolate
             Virgin
             ,
             to
             deliberate
             whether
             she
             would
             yet
             comply
             with
             the
             Judge
             ;
             an
             entrance
             into
             her
             Chamber
             was
             permitted
             to
             her
             Lover
             ;
             who
             (
             in
             order
             not
             only
             to
             his
             present
             but
             further
             Design
             )
             had
             purposely
             closed
             the
             vizor
             of
             his
             Helmet
             ;
             upon
             which
             score
             ,
             not
             being
             knowable
             by
             his
             fair
             Mistress
             ,
             he
             met
             with
             from
             her
             the
             reception
             we
             have
             formerly
             related
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             II.
             
          
           
             THough
             ,
             in
             the
             sad
             Condition
             wherein
             our
             disguis'd
             Lover
             ,
             found
             his
             desolate
             Mistress
             ,
             her
             sorrow
             and
             her
             fears
             ,
             did
             somewhat
             cloud
             her
             Beauty
             ,
             yet
             they
             could
             not
             hinder
             her
             looks
             from
             being
             so
             charming
             &
             majestick
             ,
             as
             to
             create
             less
             pitty
             than
             respect
             .
             Wherefore
             with
             gestures
             ,
             wherein
             this
             was
             as
             visible
             as
             he
             could
             make
             it
             ,
             he
             told
             her
             ,
             without
             approaching
             too
             near
             ;
             Do
             not
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             I
             beseech
             you
             ,
             add
             to
             your
             other
             troubles
             ,
             the
             apprehension
             ,
             that
             because
             I
             appear
             in
             the
             circumstances
             of
             a
             Ravisher
             ,
             I
             come
             to
             commit
             a
             Rape
             :
             Theodora
             is
             so
             great
             an
             ornament
             to
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             and
             her
             Purity
             is
             an
             ornament
             so
             dear
             to
             Theodora
             ,
             that
             Heaven
             will
             not
             permit
             ,
             either
             that
             Antioch
             should
             
             be
             rob'd
             of
             one
             ,
             or
             she
             of
             the
             other
             .
             And
             therefore
             ,
             that
             Providence
             which
             you
             have
             so
             generously
             trusted
             ,
             has
             sent
             me
             to
             your
             rescue
             ,
             which
             after
             the
             care
             I
             have
             taken
             to
             dispose
             things
             without
             doors
             ,
             't
             will
             not
             be
             difficult
             to
             compass
             ,
             if
             you
             please
             to
             make
             use
             of
             the
             Military
             Habit
             I
             have
             brought
             hither
             ,
             disguise
             and
             convey
             your self
             hence
             .
             Nor
             need
             you
             be
             solicitous
             ,
             what
             will
             become
             of
             me
             ,
             for
             I
             am
             under
             the
             same
             care
             of
             the
             same
             Providence
             ,
             that
             now
             justifies
             your
             reliance
             on
             it
             ,
             by
             providing
             for
             your
             escape
             :
             And
             I
             that
             found
             means
             to
             come
             in
             hither
             ,
             may
             be
             succesful
             in
             attempting
             a
             Retreat
             ,
             or
             if
             I
             should
             not
             succeed
             in
             it
             ,
             I
             shall
             not
             miss
             the
             joy
             of
             paying
             my
             Duty
             ,
             where
             I
             had
             the
             most
             desire
             and
             cause
             to
             do
             it
             ;
             and
             shall
             leave
             the
             world
             with
             the
             satisfaction
             of
             having
             highly
             oblig'd
             it
             ,
             by
             the
             preservation
             of
             the
             most
             accomplish'd
             Person
             in
             it
             .
             And
             Madam
             ,
             (
             continues
             Didymus
             )
             that
             you
             may
             not
             doubt
             the
             willingness
             or
             the
             intentions
             wherewith
             this
             offer
             
             is
             made
             you
             ,
             be
             pleas'd
             to
             know
             that
             it
             comes
             from
             the
             now
             fortunate
             Didymus
             ,
             who
             justly
             thinks
             that
             in
             aspiring
             to
             your
             acceptance
             of
             it
             ,
             he
             does
             less
             proffer
             a
             service
             ,
             than
             beg
             a
             favour
             ,
             that
             will
             not
             only
             be
             a
             full
             Recompence
             ,
             but
             a
             high
             Obligation
             .
          
           
             The
             name
             of
             Didymus
             ,
             and
             Discourse
             so
             suitable
             to
             it
             ,
             made
             by
             him
             that
             assum'd
             it
             ,
             soon
             dissipated
             the
             dismal
             apprehensions
             his
             habit
             ,
             and
             her
             circumstances
             had
             given
             her
             :
             She
             knew
             so
             well
             his
             Courage
             ,
             his
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             his
             Love
             ,
             that
             nothing
             unlawful
             or
             mean
             ,
             was
             to
             be
             fear'd
             ;
             but
             the
             boldest
             things
             ,
             if
             they
             were
             as
             noble
             as
             hazardous
             ,
             might
             justly
             be
             expected
             ,
             from
             him
             :
             So
             that
             this
             attempt
             did
             perhaps
             as
             much
             oblige
             her
             ,
             as
             it
             surpris'd
             her
             .
             Wherefore
             ,
             as
             soon
             as
             she
             had
             recompos'd
             her
             lately
             disorder'd
             thoughts
             ,
             she
             told
             him
             ,
             with
             looks
             serene
             enough
             to
             let
             him
             see
             how
             much
             she
             trusted
             him
             ;
             This
             action
             ,
             generous
             Didymus
             ,
             is
             of
             
             a
             nature
             so
             extraordinary
             ,
             that
             my
             ingratitude
             would
             be
             so
             too
             ,
             if
             my
             sense
             of
             it
             were
             not
             .
             To
             own
             and
             rescue
             a
             persecuted
             and
             affronted
             Maid
             ,
             and
             to
             do
             it
             with
             more
             hazard
             than
             you
             need
             run
             in
             the
             Roman
             Armies
             ,
             to
             purchase
             Fame
             and
             Honours
             ,
             in
             an
             action
             so
             disinteressed
             ,
             and
             so
             unexampled
             ,
             that
             I
             want
             words
             to
             celebrate
             it
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             merit
             to
             deserve
             it
             ,
             and
             power
             to
             requite
             it
             .
             But
             I
             admire
             so
             rare
             an
             effect
             of
             Vertue
             ,
             (
             continues
             she
             )
             can
             consent
             to
             the
             destruction
             of
             its
             Author
             .
             No
             ,
             Generous
             Didymus
             ,
             't
             is
             enough
             that
             the
             vertues
             ▪
             of
             Christians
             be
             treated
             as
             crimes
             by
             the
             Romans
             :
             They
             must
             not
             meet
             the
             like
             usage
             from
             Theodora
             ;
             she
             must
             not
             purchase
             a
             life
             ,
             that
             she
             values
             as
             little
             her self
             as
             others
             have
             cause
             to
             do
             ,
             at
             so
             high
             a
             rate
             ,
             as
             your
             partial
             Charity
             persuades
             you
             to
             set
             upon
             it
             .
             For
             even
             those
             that
             do
             now
             most
             pitty
             me
             ,
             would
             repine
             at
             the
             preservation
             of
             my
             life
             ,
             if
             it
             should
             cost
             that
             of
             a
             Heroe
             .
             Especially
             ,
             if
             I
             should
             designedly
             be
             
             accessory
             to
             so
             great
             a
             Loss
             :
             Which
             accompanied
             with
             a
             publick
             Indignation
             ,
             and
             my
             own
             Reproaches
             for
             my
             Ingratitude
             ,
             would
             certainly
             make
             that
             Life
             a
             Burden
             to
             me
             ,
             that
             at
             so
             dear
             a
             rate
             you
             would
             preserve
             as
             a
             Blessing
             .
             But
             —
          
           
             Here
             Theodora
             was
             going
             to
             proceed
             ,
             when
             her
             griev'd
             Lover
             ,
             fearing
             that
             if
             she
             did
             so
             ,
             she
             might
             make
             some
             Declaration
             unfavourable
             to
             his
             Wishes
             ,
             thought
             fit
             to
             endeavour
             to
             prevent
             it
             ,
             by
             saying
             to
             her
             with
             a
             profound
             respect
             .
             Ah
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             do
             not
             make
             your
             mistaking
             Compassion
             more
             cruel
             to
             me
             ,
             than
             the
             severity
             of
             the
             Romans
             themselves
             ,
             which
             we
             Christians
             justly
             Tax
             ,
             can
             possibly
             be
             .
             For
             they
             will
             but
             in
             a
             few
             moments
             take
             away
             that
             Life
             ,
             which
             you
             would
             at
             once
             protract
             and
             render
             Miserable
             .
             Do
             not
             ,
             I
             beseech
             you
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             (
             continues
             he
             )
             think
             my
             services
             Meritorious
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             paid
             you
             in
             this
             place
             ,
             and
             in
             your
             Persecuted
             
             Condition
             .
             No
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             Theodora
             has
             Prerogatives
             enough
             ,
             to
             make
             many
             less
             unworthy
             (
             though
             not
             more
             zealous
             )
             than
             I
             ,
             ambitious
             to
             serve
             her
             ,
             in
             what
             Circumstances
             soever
             Providence
             shall
             think
             fit
             to
             place
             her
             .
             Whatever
             the
             Romans
             ,
             that
             worship
             Fortune
             and
             Victory
             as
             Goddesses
             ,
             and
             find
             their
             Prosperity
             the
             powerfullest
             Argument
             to
             support
             and
             spread
             their
             Religion
             ,
             may
             think
             of
             Sufferings
             embrac'd
             for
             Conscience
             sake
             :
             sure
             we
             Christians
             ,
             that
             adore
             a
             Crucified
             Saviour
             ,
             who
             ,
             as
             he
             
               took
               upon
               him
               the
               form
               of
               a
               Servant
               ,
            
             was
             put
             to
             Death
             between
             two
             Thieves
             ,
             as
             a
             Slave
             and
             a
             Malefactor
             too
             ;
             ought
             not
             to
             let
             any
             Persecutions
             ,
             or
             Indignities
             ,
             lessen
             our
             Veneration
             or
             Concern
             for
             those
             that
             chuse
             to
             Suffer
             for
             him
             ,
             and
             imitate
             as
             well
             as
             own
             him
             ,
             whatever
             it
             cost
             them
             .
             Nor
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             (
             pursues
             Didymus
             )
             needs
             your
             having
             been
             brought
             to
             this
             place
             ,
             make
             you
             think
             your self
             at
             all
             dishonour'd
             ,
             in
             the
             Opinions
             of
             
             those
             that
             can
             make
             just
             Estimates
             of
             things
             .
             They
             look
             on
             Sufferers
             for
             truth
             with
             His
             undeceiveable
             Eyes
             ,
             that
             ,
             by
             one
             of
             the
             Pen-men
             he
             inspir'd
             ,
             having
             mention'd
             those
             Persons
             that
             for
             Religions
             sake
             were
             
               Imprison'd
               ,
               Destitute
               ,
               Tormented
               ,
               Affronted
            
             forc'd
             in
             the
             Skins
             of
             Beasts
             ,
             to
             wander
             like
             them
             in
             Desarts
             ,
             and
             lodge
             in
             Dens
             ;
             Honours
             them
             with
             this
             Character
             and
             Testimony
             ,
             more
             glorious
             than
             all
             the
             Panegyricks
             of
             Orators
             ,
             and
             Laurels
             of
             Conquerors
             ,
             That
             
               the
               World
               was
               not
               worthy
               of
               them
               .
            
             And
             such
             Judges
             will
             think
             Venus
             an
             Infamous
             Courtezan
             ,
             though
             the
             Romans
             adore
             her
             in
             their
             Temples
             ;
             and
             will
             not
             think
             Theodora
             the
             less
             excellent
             Person
             ,
             for
             having
             been
             condemn'd
             on
             the
             score
             of
             Vertue
             to
             a
             Scandalous
             place
             .
             Honour
             were
             a
             mean
             thing
             ,
             and
             not
             worthy
             to
             have
             its
             loss
             much
             fear'd
             ,
             or
             regretted
             ;
             if
             we
             could
             forfeit
             it
             without
             having
             forsaken
             Vertue
             ;
             and
             much
             more
             ,
             if
             we
             could
             be
             depriv'd
             of
             it
             for
             having
             closely
             follow'd
             
             Her.
             Nothing
             can
             blemish
             true
             Reputation
             ,
             that
             cannot
             be
             declin'd
             without
             manifest
             injury
             to
             Religion
             ,
             which
             justifies
             our
             Acting
             whatever
             it
             imposes
             .
             The
             Angels
             themselves
             that
             were
             sent
             to
             Sodom
             ,
             scrupl'd
             less
             to
             go
             even
             thither
             ,
             then
             to
             disobey
             him
             that
             made
             it
             their
             duty
             to
             do
             so
             ,
             nor
             were
             polluted
             by
             entering
             into
             that
             abominable
             place
             ;
             and
             being
             attempted
             by
             the
             brutish
             Inhabiters
             of
             it
             ,
             carried
             thence
             the
             Angelical
             Purity
             wherewith
             they
             came
             thither
             .
          
           
             Didymus
             thought
             fit
             to
             say
             what
             has
             been
             repeated
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             Console
             so
             chast
             a
             Virgin
             as
             Theodora
             ,
             who
             had
             still
             enjoy'd
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             merited
             ,
             a
             spotless
             Reputation
             ;
             by
             assuring
             her
             ,
             that
             the
             barbarous
             Affront
             she
             had
             been
             expos'd
             to
             ,
             for
             Constancy
             to
             her
             Religion
             ,
             had
             not
             ,
             among
             unbyass'd
             Judges
             ,
             lessen'd
             the
             high
             Esteem
             her
             former
             Life
             had
             justly
             given
             them
             of
             her
             Vertue
             .
             But
             he
             would
             not
             discourse
             long
             of
             
             a
             Subject
             so
             Nice
             ;
             that
             't
             was
             difficult
             not
             only
             to
             insist
             on
             it
             ,
             but
             so
             much
             as
             to
             mention
             it
             ,
             without
             being
             uneasie
             to
             so
             tender
             a
             Modesty
             as
             hers
             he
             was
             speaking
             to
             .
             Upon
             which
             account
             ,
             passing
             on
             to
             another
             Argument
             ,
             he
             told
             her
             ,
             These
             things
             I
             have
             mention'd
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             to
             let
             you
             see
             ,
             how
             little
             I
             can
             pretend
             to
             merit
             by
             the
             Circumstances
             of
             the
             duty
             I
             pay
             you
             ;
             and
             consequently
             ,
             how
             little
             you
             need
             scruple
             to
             accept
             of
             my
             further
             Service
             ,
             without
             which
             my
             past
             Endeavours
             will
             be
             useless
             to
             us
             both
             .
             And
             give
             me
             leave
             to
             own
             to
             you
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             that
             't
             was
             not
             without
             much
             trouble
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             surprize
             ,
             that
             I
             heard
             the
             incomparable
             
             Theodora's
             Merit
             so
             much
             injur'd
             ,
             as
             to
             have
             the
             valuableness
             of
             my
             Life
             put
             into
             the
             Ballance
             with
             that
             of
             hers
             ,
             nay
             ,
             and
             made
             to
             Preponderate
             .
             Alas
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             there
             are
             Legions
             ,
             that
             as
             well
             as
             I
             dare
             expose
             their
             Lives
             to
             the
             greatest
             hazards
             ,
             and
             run
             greater
             dangers
             for
             some
             despicable
             pay
             ,
             or
             a
             
             sew
             worthless
             Leaves
             ,
             than
             I
             do
             to
             serve
             my
             Religion
             ,
             and
             the
             fairest
             Professor
             of
             it
             .
             Every
             day
             affords
             thousands
             of
             such
             Men
             as
             I
             :
             Else
             the
             Roman
             Camps
             would
             not
             be
             so
             frequently
             Recruited
             ,
             and
             those
             Numbers
             that
             fall
             in
             Breaches
             ,
             or
             in
             Battels
             ,
             would
             not
             have
             their
             Rooms
             so
             ambitiously
             supplied
             ,
             by
             Men
             that
             see
             them
             do
             so
             .
             But
             such
             Persons
             as
             attain
             to
             be
             both
             the
             Ornaments
             of
             their
             Religion
             ,
             and
             the
             Honour
             of
             their
             Sex
             ,
             must
             be
             so
             Excellent
             ,
             and
             are
             so
             Rare
             ,
             that
             't
             is
             not
             every
             Age
             that
             produces
             so
             much
             as
             one
             of
             them
             .
             Such
             Exemplary
             Ladies
             ,
             do
             as
             well
             improve
             as
             enoble
             the
             times
             and
             places
             they
             live
             in
             :
             The
             respect
             and
             love
             Men
             have
             for
             them
             ,
             makes
             their
             good
             Counsels
             very
             persuasive
             ;
             the
             loveliness
             of
             their
             Persons
             is
             so
             diffus'd
             to
             their
             Actions
             ,
             as
             ,
             by
             making
             Men
             forward
             to
             take
             them
             for
             Examples
             ,
             adds
             to
             to
             their
             Vertues
             ,
             both
             a
             great
             Splendor
             ,
             and
             a
             powerful
             Influence
             .
             That
             Theodora
             is
             not
             only
             one
             of
             that
             small
             
             Number
             ,
             but
             eminent
             in
             it
             ;
             nothing
             but
             her
             Presence
             ,
             could
             keep
             it
             from
             being
             uneasie
             for
             me
             to
             evince
             .
             But
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             (
             continues
             he
             )
             though
             in
             such
             Circumstances
             as
             mine
             ,
             your
             scrupulous
             Modesty
             may
             keep
             Men
             silent
             ,
             yet
             it
             ought
             not
             to
             keep
             them
             from
             being
             Just
             .
             Your
             profound
             Humility
             may
             draw
             a
             Curtain
             ,
             that
             may
             hide
             your
             Vertues
             from
             your
             Eyes
             ;
             but
             in
             the
             Eyes
             of
             others
             ,
             it
             cannot
             but
             encrease
             their
             Number
             ,
             and
             exceedingly
             add
             to
             their
             Lustre
             .
             You
             need
             not
             therefore
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             (
             pursues
             he
             )
             scruple
             to
             receive
             the
             Service
             I
             aspire
             to
             do
             you
             ,
             upon
             an
             injurious
             apprehension
             ,
             that
             't
             is
             above
             Reward
             ;
             whilst
             indeed
             it
             pretends
             not
             to
             any
             at
             all
             ,
             except
             the
             Satisfaction
             and
             Honour
             ,
             that
             will
             be
             inseparable
             from
             the
             performance
             it self
             .
             Here
             Didymus
             paus'd
             for
             some
             moments
             ;
             being
             sensible
             ,
             how
             difficult
             a
             task
             he
             was
             entering
             upon
             :
             Since
             't
             was
             ,
             without
             prejudicing
             his
             Love
             ,
             to
             own
             to
             his
             Mistress
             her self
             ,
             that
             he
             
             did
             not
             serve
             her
             upon
             the
             score
             of
             That
             .
             But
             however
             ;
             the
             sincerity
             of
             his
             affection
             ,
             and
             the
             great
             desire
             he
             had
             to
             make
             his
             persuasions
             prevalent
             ,
             hasten'd
             him
             to
             prevent
             her
             Answer
             ,
             by
             thus
             prosecuting
             his
             Discourse
             :
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             that
             Theodoras
             perfections
             did
             not
             miss
             in
             me
             ,
             to
             have
             the
             operation
             that
             they
             are
             wont
             to
             have
             ,
             upon
             those
             that
             enjoy
             the
             opportunities
             of
             considering
             them
             :
             and
             if
             she
             had
             been
             in
             a
             distress
             greater
             than
             that
             she
             is
             now
             in
             ,
             though
             her
             Religion
             had
             not
             at
             all
             contributed
             to
             bring
             her
             into
             it
             ,
             I
             should
             joyfully
             have
             expos'd
             my self
             ,
             to
             a
             greater
             hazard
             than
             I
             now
             run
             ,
             to
             rescue
             her
             from
             it
             .
             But
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             that
             is
             not
             our
             case
             ;
             for
             that
             which
             now
             brings
             me
             hither
             ,
             is
             none
             of
             those
             sentiments
             ,
             that
             if
             I
             were
             possessor
             of
             a
             Crown
             ,
             would
             bring
             me
             to
             lay
             that
             and
             my self
             at
             your
             feet
             ,
             and
             think
             my self
             more
             happy
             in
             your
             acceptance
             of
             it
             ,
             than
             in
             all
             the
             advantages
             and
             prerogatives
             that
             could
             belong
             to
             it
             .
             For
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             the
             resolution
             that
             led
             me
             
             hither
             ,
             was
             not
             inspir'd
             by
             the
             fair
             ,
             but
             by
             the
             devout
             and
             vertuous
             Theodora
             .
             If
             she
             had
             no
             Charms
             ,
             but
             those
             that
             cannot
             be
             seen
             with
             bodily
             Eyes
             ,
             or
             if
             her
             visible
             Beauty
             were
             but
             moderate
             ,
             or
             none
             at
             all
             ;
             her
             Exemplary
             Piety
             and
             Unshaken
             Constancy
             ,
             shining
             in
             such
             extraordinary
             Expressions
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             she
             has
             this
             day
             given
             ,
             would
             make
             me
             think
             my self
             unworthy
             of
             Life
             ,
             if
             I
             should
             stick
             at
             hazarding
             it
             to
             save
             so
             precious
             a
             one
             ,
             as
             hers
             ,
             and
             what
             I
             knew
             she
             would
             far
             more
             unwillingly
             loose
             ;
             and
             thereby
             do
             some
             right
             to
             Divine
             Providence
             ,
             which
             ,
             by
             so
             unexampled
             a
             reliance
             on
             it
             ,
             was
             thought
             in
             some
             sort
             engag'd
             to
             answer
             so
             uncommon
             and
             entire
             a
             Trust
             .
             After
             what
             she
             did
             for
             Christ
             ,
             I
             did
             not
             think
             I
             could
             do
             enough
             for
             her
             ,
             if
             I
             did
             less
             than
             I
             have
             endeavour'd
             to
             do
             .
             And
             therefore
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             (
             concludes
             he
             )
             I
             hope
             as
             well
             as
             beg
             ,
             that
             you
             will
             no
             longer
             scruple
             to
             accept
             of
             that
             rescue
             ,
             that
             Providence
             offers
             you
             ,
             by
             an
             unmercenary
             and
             most
             wlling
             hand
             ,
             but
             will
             
             to
             make
             use
             of
             this
             Military
             Garment
             (
             at
             which
             words
             Dydimus
             with
             great
             respect
             ,
             pointed
             at
             His
             )
             and
             allow
             my
             endeavours
             ,
             by
             procuring
             your
             safety
             ,
             to
             secure
             my
             happiness
             .
          
           
             To
             this
             moving
             Speech
             ,
             the
             fair
             person
             ,
             that
             't
             was
             address'd
             to
             ,
             return'd
             this
             calm
             Answer
             .
          
           
             Though
             the
             handsom
             and
             obliging
             things
             you
             have
             been
             pleas'd
             to
             say
             ,
             Generous
             Didymus
             ,
             have
             made
             all
             the
             impressions
             on
             me
             that
             they
             ought
             to
             have
             ;
             yet
             I
             must
             ,
             with
             your
             pardon
             ,
             freely
             tell
             you
             ,
             that
             they
             naturally
             afford
             an
             inference
             ,
             quite
             opposite
             to
             what
             you
             would
             conclude
             from
             them
             ;
             since
             ,
             by
             discovering
             more
             and
             more
             of
             your
             Gallantry
             &
             Friendship
             ,
             they
             let
             me
             still
             further
             see
             ,
             how
             much
             the
             World
             would
             loose
             ,
             by
             being
             depriv'd
             of
             so
             much
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             how
             unexcusable
             I
             ,
             above
             all
             others
             ,
             should
             be
             ,
             if
             I
             should
             be
             willingly
             accessory
             to
             that
             loss
             .
             Your
             too
             too
             excessive
             Complements
             ,
             I
             must
             not
             
             pretend
             to
             answer
             ;
             since
             't
             would
             be
             too
             great
             a
             reflection
             on
             Your
             Judgment
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Mine
             ,
             to
             think
             you
             meant
             them
             for
             any
             thing
             more
             than
             what
             I
             have
             call'd
             them
             .
             But
             in
             answer
             to
             the
             serious
             part
             of
             your
             Discourse
             ,
             I
             shall
             tell
             you
             ,
             that
             ,
             if
             I
             had
             proceeded
             in
             what
             I
             was
             going
             to
             say
             to
             you
             ,
             when
             you
             interrupted
             me
             ,
             I
             had
             ,
             perhaps
             ,
             prevented
             some
             of
             the
             things
             you
             have
             said
             ,
             by
             freely
             acquainting
             you
             (
             as
             I
             now
             mean
             to
             do
             )
             with
             the
             state
             of
             my
             Case
             ,
             and
             the
             intentions
             it
             suggested
             to
             me
             .
             When
             the
             inhumane
             President
             (
             continues
             Theodora
             )
             had
             condemn'd
             me
             ,
             either
             to
             offer
             Sacrifice
             in
             an
             Idol
             Temple
             ,
             or
             be
             led
             away
             to
             this
             infamous
             place
             ;
             I
             was
             in
             such
             a
             perplexity
             and
             agony
             as
             can
             hardly
             be
             conceiv'd
             ,
             especially
             by
             a
             Person
             that
             is
             not
             of
             my
             Sex
             ;
             for
             Death
             it self
             was
             thought
             too
             mild
             an
             evil
             ,
             to
             be
             one
             of
             those
             ,
             among
             which
             I
             was
             condemn'd
             to
             make
             my
             choice
             .
             On
             the
             one
             side
             ;
             the
             infamy
             of
             this
             detestable
             place
             was
             that
             which
             
             I
             could
             not
             think
             on
             ,
             without
             the
             utmost
             horror
             and
             indignation
             :
             and
             not
             only
             my
             Sex
             and
             Breeding
             ,
             but
             even
             the
             Dictates
             of
             more
             than
             one
             Vertue
             ,
             (
             Modesty
             and
             Chastity
             )
             concurr'd
             to
             highten
             my
             abhorrence
             of
             it
             .
             But
             on
             the
             other
             side
             ;
             I
             remembred
             ,
             that
             I
             did
             not
             vow
             Obedience
             to
             God
             with
             any
             exceptions
             or
             reserves
             ;
             that
             I
             was
             both
             a
             Disciple
             and
             a
             Worshipper
             of
             a
             Persecuted
             and
             Affronted
             Redeemer
             ,
             for
             whom
             (
             though
             there
             were
             not
             an
             infinite
             Inequality
             between
             our
             Conditions
             )
             I
             could
             not
             suffer
             more
             ,
             than
             he
             had
             already
             suffer'd
             for
             my
             sake
             ;
             having
             not
             only
             
               endur'd
               the
               Cross
            
             ,
             but
             
               despis'd
               the
               Shame
            
             ,
             which
             the
             Jews
             insolent
             Malice
             ,
             and
             the
             Romans
             Barbarous
             Custom
             ,
             had
             annexed
             to
             it
             .
             And
             I
             thought
             that
             ,
             perhaps
             ,
             Providence
             had
             led
             me
             into
             this
             distress
             ,
             to
             give
             me
             an
             Opportunity
             of
             shewing
             ,
             that
             I
             could
             do
             more
             than
             die
             for
             Christ
             .
             But
             I
             must
             not
             now
             trouble
             you
             ,
             with
             the
             various
             thoughts
             that
             distracted
             my
             Mind
             
             on
             this
             dismal
             occasion
             ;
             on
             which
             all
             that
             I
             could
             say
             ,
             to
             those
             that
             rudely
             press'd
             me
             to
             give
             a
             positive
             answer
             ,
             was
             ,
             that
             of
             the
             things
             they
             propos'd
             ,
             I
             plainly
             saw
             that
             both
             were
             to
             be
             refus'd
             ,
             and
             therefore
             I
             could
             make
             choice
             of
             neither
             .
             But
             since
             I
             would
             make
             no
             Election
             for
             my self
             ,
             their
             Malice
             soon
             made
             one
             for
             me
             ,
             of
             this
             detestable
             place
             .
             I
             was
             so
             confounded
             ,
             and
             as
             it
             were
             stunn'd
             ,
             at
             the
             first
             steps
             they
             forc'd
             me
             to
             take
             towards
             it
             ,
             that
             I
             scarce
             knew
             what
             to
             think
             ,
             or
             what
             I
             did
             ;
             save
             that
             I
             remembered
             ,
             that
             Idolatry
             was
             in
             the
             Sacred
             Books
             represented
             as
             a
             most
             odious
             ,
             though
             Spiritual
             ,
             Fornication
             ;
             and
             that
             Apostacy
             would
             be
             my
             own
             Crime
             ,
             whereas
             the
             Consequences
             of
             refusing
             it
             ,
             could
             make
             me
             but
             the
             Object
             of
             anothers
             :
             And
             remembring
             my self
             to
             be
             a
             Daughter
             of
             him
             ,
             that
             against
             Hope
             believed
             in
             Hope
             ,
             to
             follow
             
               God's
               Call
            
             ,
             I
             did
             like
             him
             ,
             
               Obey
               ,
               not
               knowing
               whither
               I
               went
               :
            
             Yet
             having
             this
             Satisfaction
             ,
             
             that
             I
             acted
             according
             to
             the
             Dictates
             of
             a
             well
             inform'd
             Conscience
             ,
             so
             that
             ,
             whatever
             the
             way
             might
             prove
             ,
             I
             need
             not
             fear
             to
             be
             misled
             by
             closely
             following
             an
             Infallible
             Guide
             .
          
           
             Here
             the
             Chast
             Virgins
             words
             were
             a
             little
             interrupted
             by
             the
             flowing
             Tears
             ,
             and
             the
             inevitable
             Discomposure
             ,
             that
             were
             produc'd
             by
             the
             sad
             remembrance
             of
             the
             distress'd
             Condition
             she
             was
             recounting
             .
             But
             having
             ,
             as
             soon
             as
             she
             was
             able
             suppress'd
             ,
             those
             visible
             effects
             of
             her
             vertuous
             Grief
             ,
             she
             thus
             pursu'd
             her
             Discourse
             .
          
           
             Revolving
             these
             and
             the
             like
             thoughts
             in
             my
             Mind
             ,
             I
             arriv'd
             at
             this
             infamous
             place
             .
             And
             being
             for
             a
             while
             left
             alone
             in
             this
             Room
             ,
             to
             try
             whether
             yet
             I
             could
             be
             brought
             to
             change
             my
             Mind
             ;
             the
             nearer
             approach
             of
             what
             I
             was
             to
             endure
             ,
             making
             it
             look
             more
             hideous
             to
             me
             ,
             than
             ,
             till
             then
             ,
             I
             thought
             't
             was
             possible
             
             for
             any
             thing
             to
             appear
             ,
             made
             me
             presently
             think
             of
             flying
             for
             Refuge
             to
             the
             dark
             Sanctuary
             of
             Death
             ;
             and
             by
             dispatching
             my self
             drown
             in
             my
             yet
             untainted
             Blood
             ,
             both
             my
             own
             dismal
             fears
             ,
             and
             my
             Persecuters
             brutish
             hopes
             .
             But
             then
             there
             came
             into
             my
             mind
             ,
             what
             I
             had
             been
             often
             taught
             ,
             and
             ,
             whilst
             I
             was
             unconcern'd
             ,
             judg'd
             rational
             to
             believe
             ,
             of
             the
             unlawfulness
             of
             Killing
             ones
             self
             ,
             upon
             any
             account
             whatsoever
             .
             I
             consider'd
             ,
             that
             God
             ,
             who
             made
             our
             Love
             unto
             our selves
             ,
             the
             standard
             of
             the
             affection
             we
             owe
             our
             Neighbour
             ,
             in
             forbidding
             us
             to
             destroy
             anothers
             Life
             ,
             must
             be
             suppos'd
             much
             more
             to
             prohibit
             us
             that
             violence
             against
             our
             own
             .
             And
             if
             Fratricide
             be
             justly
             listed
             amongst
             the
             blackest
             Crimes
             ,
             because
             of
             that
             Relation
             the
             slaughter'd
             persons
             have
             to
             those
             that
             Kill
             them
             ;
             how
             Criminal
             upon
             that
             score
             must
             be
             the
             Murder
             of
             our selves
             ,
             where
             the
             Relation
             is
             not
             nearer
             ,
             only
             because
             't
             is
             too
             near
             ,
             to
             be
             properly
             any
             at
             all
             ?
             The
             Sovereign
             
             Author
             and
             absolute
             Lord
             of
             our
             Lives
             ,
             having
             thought
             fit
             to
             employ
             us
             here
             in
             his
             Service
             ,
             we
             cannot
             ,
             without
             violating
             our
             Duty
             to
             him
             ,
             desert
             it
             until
             we
             have
             perform'd
             his
             Errand
             ,
             which
             is
             ,
             to
             glorifie
             him
             by
             our
             Lives
             ;
             till
             loyalty
             to
             his
             Truth
             ,
             or
             his
             Commands
             ,
             convince
             us
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             better
             glorifie
             him
             by
             our
             Deaths
             .
             Such
             Considerations
             as
             these
             would
             ,
             I
             hope
             ,
             have
             restrain'd
             me
             from
             ending
             my
             Life
             with
             a
             Crime
             ;
             but
             the
             thoughts
             of
             it
             were
             quickly
             supprest
             ,
             by
             my
             remembering
             that
             in
             this
             place
             ,
             I
             was
             destitute
             of
             Instruments
             to
             act
             it
             with
             .
             Wherefore
             remembring
             that
             Daniel
             had
             been
             preserv'd
             ,
             though
             not
             from
             the
             Lyons
             Den
             ,
             yet
             in
             it
             ;
             and
             his
             three
             Friends
             were
             not
             deliver'd
             from
             the
             Fiery
             Furnace
             ,
             till
             they
             had
             been
             cast
             into
             it
             ;
             and
             having
             learned
             by
             those
             Examples
             ,
             that
             no
             Succours
             can
             come
             too
             late
             ,
             that
             God
             designs
             for
             our
             Rescue
             ,
             I
             betook
             my self
             to
             Prayer
             ,
             as
             the
             most
             hopeful
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             
             most
             innocent
             course
             ,
             I
             could
             take
             ;
             and
             with
             an
             ardency
             ,
             heighten'd
             with
             the
             extremity
             of
             my
             Distress
             ,
             I
             was
             beseeching
             God
             ,
             though
             with
             the
             loss
             of
             my
             Life
             ,
             to
             preserve
             a
             Purity
             ,
             that
             by
             his
             Grace
             had
             been
             hitherto
             kept
             unblemish'd
             ,
             when
             your
             unexpected
             entrance
             brought
             me
             a
             return
             of
             those
             Prayers
             ,
             I
             had
             yet
             scarce
             utter'd
             .
             Judge
             then
             ,
             Generous
             Didymus
             (
             subjoyns
             Theodora
             )
             by
             the
             Condition
             I
             was
             in
             ,
             how
             much
             I
             must
             think
             my self
             Oblig'd
             ,
             by
             so
             brave
             and
             seasonable
             an
             attempt
             to
             deliver
             me
             out
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             To
             serve
             so
             bright
             a
             Vertue
             ,
             lodg'd
             in
             so
             noble
             a
             Shrine
             ,
             I
             thought
             ,
             Madam
             (
             says
             Didymus
             ,
             Interrupting
             her
             )
             to
             be
             as
             much
             my
             Duty
             ,
             as
             to
             have
             found
             an
             Opportunity
             to
             do
             it
             ,
             is
             my
             Happiness
             :
             and
             if
             you
             please
             to
             permit
             me
             ,
             as
             I
             now
             hope
             you
             will
             ,
             the
             Honour
             and
             Satisfaction
             of
             compleating
             my
             Endeavours
             to
             deliver
             you
             ;
             I
             shall
             much
             more
             value
             my self
             ,
             upon
             the
             having
             
             paid
             you
             that
             Service
             (
             though
             it
             be
             more
             proportionate
             to
             my
             power
             ,
             than
             to
             my
             desires
             )
             than
             if
             I
             had
             rescued
             a
             Roman
             General
             ,
             or
             for
             successful
             attempts
             ,
             been
             made
             one
             my self
             .
          
           
             When
             Thanks
             are
             purchas'd
             by
             Merit
             ,
             replys
             Theodora
             ,
             to
             disclaim
             a
             right
             to
             them
             ,
             does
             not
             forfeit
             it
             ,
             but
             encrease
             it
             ;
             nor
             need
             you
             make
             me
             any
             new
             Professions
             ,
             since
             after
             the
             Testimonies
             you
             have
             given
             me
             already
             of
             your
             Vertues
             ,
             and
             your
             Friendship
             ,
             I
             should
             make
             my self
             unworthy
             of
             them
             ,
             if
             I
             doubted
             of
             their
             Reality
             ,
             or
             Greatness
             .
             Yes
             ;
             Didymus
             ,
             I
             believe
             what
             you
             declar'd
             ,
             of
             the
             Disinterestedness
             of
             your
             proceedings
             in
             the
             Rescue
             of
             a
             Person
             of
             no
             greater
             Merit
             ,
             than
             I
             can
             pretend
             to
             :
             Since
             the
             Circumstances
             of
             your
             Attempt
             ,
             make
             it
             appear
             too
             generous
             to
             let
             me
             suspect
             ,
             that
             the
             Aim
             of
             it
             was
             other
             than
             noble
             too
             .
             And
             indeed
             ,
             after
             what
             you
             have
             done
             (
             continues
             She
             )
             it
             would
             
             ill
             become
             me
             to
             scruple
             to
             be
             further
             oblig'd
             by
             you
             ,
             and
             therefore
             I
             shall
             venture
             to
             make
             you
             a
             Request
             ,
             as
             soon
             as
             I
             shall
             have
             acquainted
             you
             with
             the
             Reasons
             ,
             't
             is
             grounded
             on
             .
          
           
             Didymus
             being
             surpriz'd
             at
             this
             welcom
             Declaration
             ,
             was
             going
             with
             Transports
             to
             assure
             Her
             ,
             he
             could
             deny
             her
             nothing
             ,
             nor
             obey
             her
             in
             any
             thing
             without
             Joy
             ;
             when
             she
             prevented
             him
             ,
             by
             thus
             continuing
             her
             Discourse
             .
             You
             know
             ,
             my
             Generous
             Deliverer
             ,
             that
             Virgins
             have
             so
             great
             and
             clear
             a
             Right
             to
             keep
             themselves
             such
             ,
             against
             all
             outward
             Assaults
             ;
             that
             Monarchs
             themselves
             (
             whose
             Force
             is
             not
             to
             be
             by
             force
             oppos'd
             ,
             when
             it
             tends
             but
             to
             deprive
             us
             of
             our
             Lives
             )
             may
             be
             forcibly
             resisted
             ,
             when
             they
             strive
             to
             offer
             Violence
             to
             our
             Chastity
             .
             Since
             then
             ,
             an
             untainted
             Purity
             is
             a
             Jewel
             ,
             that
             the
             Possessors
             are
             allowed
             to
             preserve
             and
             defend
             ,
             even
             by
             uncommon
             ways
             ,
             if
             others
             will
             not
             serve
             ;
             
             and
             such
             as
             would
             in
             other
             Cases
             be
             unwarrantable
             :
             Though
             I
             do
             not
             ,
             as
             I
             lately
             told
             you
             ,
             think
             it
             lawful
             ,
             as
             many
             do
             ,
             to
             secure
             Virginity
             by
             Self-Murder
             ;
             yet
             I
             cannot
             disapprove
             their
             Opinion
             ,
             that
             allow
             a
             Virgin
             in
             case
             of
             Extremity
             ,
             to
             emplore
             that
             Death
             from
             anothers
             hand
             ,
             that
             she
             is
             forbidden
             to
             give
             her self
             ,
             with
             her
             own
             ;
             since
             in
             such
             a
             Calamitous
             Condition
             ,
             Heaven
             ,
             by
             debarring
             her
             all
             other
             ways
             of
             escaping
             from
             Defilement
             ,
             seems
             to
             approve
             of
             this
             .
             And
             the
             Scripture
             informs
             us
             ,
             that
             though
             the
             Prophet
             Jonas
             held
             it
             unlawful
             to
             drown
             himself
             ,
             yet
             he
             persuaded
             those
             that
             Sail'd
             with
             him
             ,
             
             to
             cast
             him
             bound
             into
             the
             Sea
             ,
             when
             neither
             they
             nor
             he
             expected
             he
             could
             out-live
             many
             Minutes
             (
             as
             indeed
             't
             was
             not
             without
             a
             Miracle
             that
             he
             did
             .
             )
             Wherefore
             ,
             pursues
             Theodora
             ,
             if
             you
             will
             perfect
             what
             you
             have
             so
             Obligingly
             begun
             ,
             you
             must
             lend
             me
             your
             Arm
             and
             Sword
             ,
             to
             free
             me
             by
             a
             speedy
             
             Death
             ,
             from
             mischiefs
             much
             greater
             than
             it
             .
             The
             Romans
             will
             easily
             believe
             ,
             that
             my
             resistance
             and
             provocations
             transported
             you
             to
             a
             Revenge
             ,
             at
             which
             the
             barbarous
             usage
             I
             have
             receiv'd
             at
             their
             hands
             ,
             makes
             it
             unlikely
             they
             will
             be
             much
             offended
             :
             The
             grant
             of
             my
             request
             will
             not
             hinder
             you
             from
             being
             ,
             what
             you
             are
             pleas'd
             to
             think
             a
             Title
             ,
             Theodoras
             Deliverer
             .
             For
             ,
             in
             the
             estimation
             of
             Equitable
             Judges
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             in
             Hers
             ,
             't
             will
             suffice
             to
             give
             you
             a
             right
             to
             that
             Title
             ,
             That
             you
             have
             deliver'd
             her
             from
             her
             geatest
             Calamity
             and
             Danger
             .
             Nor
             will
             the
             good
             office
             I
             desire
             ,
             be
             inconsistent
             with
             my
             obtaining
             the
             Honour
             of
             Martyrdom
             :
             St.
             John
             the
             Baptist
             ,
             because
             his
             bold
             Zeal
             for
             the
             Laws
             of
             Religion
             ,
             gave
             the
             first
             rise
             to
             those
             Persecutions
             that
             terminated
             in
             his
             Death
             ,
             is
             justly
             reckon'd
             among
             Martyrs
             ,
             though
             he
             was
             privately
             beheaded
             in
             his
             Prison
             ,
             at
             the
             solicitation
             of
             a
             Curtezan
             :
             and
             if
             one
             willingly
             suffers
             death
             for
             the
             Truth
             ,
             or
             the
             Interest
             of
             Religion
             ,
             
             there
             needs
             not
             a
             Scaffold
             or
             a
             Stake
             ,
             and
             a
             publick
             Executioner
             ,
             to
             make
             such
             a
             person
             a
             Martyr
             .
             And
             since
             the
             Persecutions
             that
             now
             make
             havock
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             are
             like
             to
             continue
             long
             ;
             and
             since
             I
             am
             resolv'd
             ,
             by
             Gods
             assistance
             ,
             never
             to
             avoid
             them
             ,
             by
             any
             either
             unlawful
             or
             unhandsom
             way
             :
             the
             Escape
             you
             would
             persuade
             me
             to
             ,
             would
             but
             for
             a
             while
             delay
             those
             Sufferings
             I
             ought
             not
             to
             shun
             ,
             and
             would
             make
             them
             much
             less
             acceptable
             ,
             by
             my
             having
             endeavor'd
             to
             avoid
             them
             ;
             especially
             by
             an
             action
             so
             mean
             ,
             if
             not
             criminal
             too
             ,
             as
             to
             consent
             to
             the
             loss
             of
             an
             excellent
             Person
             ,
             that
             most
             generously
             expos'd
             himself
             for
             my
             safety
             .
             Deny
             me
             not
             therefore
             ,
             concludes
             Theodora
             ,
             with
             Tears
             in
             her
             Eyes
             ,
             the
             last
             request
             I
             shall
             ever
             make
             you
             ;
             but
             by
             sheathing
             your
             Sword
             here
             ,
             (
             at
             which
             words
             she
             pointed
             with
             blushes
             ,
             at
             her
             fair
             and
             innocent
             Breast
             )
             be
             pleas'd
             ,
             by
             one
             quick
             and
             charitable
             Stroke
             ,
             to
             perfect
             my
             deliverance
             ,
             without
             making
             me
             Stain
             it
             with
             the
             
             Blood
             of
             my
             deliverer
             ;
             free
             us
             both
             from
             eminent
             Danger
             ,
             me
             of
             being
             Dishonour'd
             ,
             and
             you
             of
             being
             Tormented
             ;
             and
             by
             the
             same
             Act
             of
             Friendship
             ,
             secure
             me
             the
             Coronet
             of
             Virginity
             ,
             and
             procure
             me
             the
             Crown
             of
             Martyrdom
             .
          
           
             Great
             was
             the
             Surprise
             ,
             and
             greater
             was
             the
             Trouble
             ,
             wherewith
             Didymus
             heard
             the
             conclusion
             of
             this
             Discourse
             :
             In
             answer
             to
             which
             ,
             as
             soon
             as
             his
             astonishment
             would
             permit
             him
             to
             speak
             ;
             Ah
             Madam
             ,
             says
             he
             ,
             what
             have
             you
             ever
             seen
             in
             the
             unfortunate
             Didymus
             ,
             that
             could
             tempt
             you
             to
             make
             him
             so
             strange
             a
             proposition
             .
             That
             I
             ,
             whose
             Errand
             hither
             was
             to
             venture
             my
             Life
             in
             your
             Service
             ,
             should
             my self
             destroy
             the
             admirable
             Person
             I
             came
             to
             Rescue
             ;
             and
             that
             Didymus
             should
             imbrue
             his
             guilty
             Hands
             in
             
             Theodora's
             innocent
             Blood
             ,
             to
             save
             one
             drop
             of
             which
             ,
             He
             would
             gladly
             shed
             all
             his
             own
             .
             As
             your
             Piety
             deserves
             to
             be
             the
             Pattern
             of
             more
             than
             one
             Age
             ,
             so
             I
             doubt
             
             not
             ,
             but
             that
             in
             times
             very
             remote
             from
             ours
             ,
             your
             Memory
             will
             shine
             as
             bright
             ,
             as
             your
             Vertue
             and
             your
             Eyes
             do
             now
             ;
             and
             then
             ,
             how
             hideous
             a
             Monster
             must
             I
             appear
             to
             Posterity
             ,
             that
             will
             look
             upon
             me
             as
             one
             ,
             that
             could
             in
             a
             trice
             ,
             pass
             from
             pretending
             to
             be
             your
             Deliverer
             ,
             to
             be
             really
             your
             Murderer
             ;
             and
             this
             for
             no
             other
             Reason
             ,
             than
             that
             you
             were
             pleas'd
             to
             manifest
             a
             great
             concern
             for
             my
             Preservation
             ?
             And
             pardon
             me
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             (
             continues
             Didymus
             )
             if
             I
             tell
             you
             ,
             that
             your
             Generosity
             makes
             you
             forget
             some
             of
             your
             other
             Vertues
             ,
             and
             even
             of
             the
             Dictates
             of
             the
             Religion
             you
             have
             hitherto
             adorn'd
             ;
             Since
             your
             Commands
             ,
             if
             obey'd
             ,
             would
             engage
             me
             to
             commit
             a
             Crime
             ,
             and
             make
             you
             your self
             ,
             more
             than
             accessory
             to
             it
             .
             For
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             since
             you
             acknowledg
             Self-Murder
             to
             be
             unlawful
             ,
             how
             can
             your
             Commands
             give
             me
             a
             right
             to
             take
             from
             you
             ,
             a
             Life
             ,
             that
             you
             have
             not
             power
             to
             dispose
             of
             ?
             and
             what
             Excuse
             can
             I
             
             have
             ,
             without
             so
             much
             as
             the
             pretence
             of
             acting
             under
             Authority
             ,
             to
             destroy
             an
             Innocent
             Person
             ?
             For
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             since
             I
             am
             to
             declare
             ,
             why
             I
             presume
             to
             do
             the
             thing
             in
             the
             World
             I
             would
             least
             be
             put
             upon
             ,
             to
             disobey
             Theodora
             ;
             give
             me
             leave
             to
             tell
             you
             ,
             that
             ,
             should
             I
             execute
             what
             you
             require
             ,
             the
             Action
             would
             not
             be
             excusable
             in
             either
             of
             us
             .
             For
             
               as
               Adam
            
             sinn'd
             in
             doing
             a
             forbidden
             thing
             ,
             though
             she
             that
             prevail'd
             with
             him
             to
             do
             it
             ,
             
               Was
               first
               in
               the
               Transgression
            
             ;
             and
             the
             Jewish
             Prophet
             was
             torn
             in
             pieces
             by
             a
             Lion
             ,
             though
             he
             did
             what
             he
             was
             seduc'd
             to
             ,
             by
             the
             persuasions
             of
             a
             Prophet
             :
             So
             the
             Scripture
             clearly
             condemns
             David
             of
             Murder
             ,
             because
             he
             kill'd
             Vria
             ,
             though
             not
             with
             his
             own
             hand
             ,
             yet
             with
             the
             
               Sword
               of
               the
               Children
               of
               Ammon
               :
            
             And
             the
             Scripture
             tells
             us
             too
             ,
             that
             God
             plagu'd
             the
             Children
             of
             Israel
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             ,
             because
             ,
             as
             the
             Text
             expresses
             it
             ,
             
               They
               made
               the
               Calf
               ,
               that
            
             Aaron
             made
             .
             And
             indeed
             ,
             by
             whatever
             Hand
             innocent
             
             Blood
             is
             shed
             ,
             the
             Guilt
             of
             it
             will
             light
             upon
             the
             Person
             that
             procur'd
             it
             to
             be
             spilt
             .
             And
             to
             this
             I
             must
             add
             ,
             That
             since
             Christians
             are
             in
             some
             cases
             ,
             not
             only
             permitted
             ,
             but
             Exhorted
             ,
             if
             not
             Commanded
             ,
             
               To
               lay
               down
               their
               Lives
               for
               one
               another
               :
            
             The
             high
             value
             and
             concern
             ,
             I
             justly
             have
             for
             yours
             ,
             makes
             me
             conclude
             ,
             that
             this
             is
             certainly
             one
             of
             those
             Cases
             ,
             and
             consequently
             ,
             that
             I
             may
             lawfully
             offer
             you
             a
             Service
             ,
             which
             you
             ,
             perhaps
             ,
             cannot
             lawfully
             refuse
             :
             Since
             Providence
             has
             left
             you
             no
             other
             Innocent
             way
             ,
             than
             the
             acceptance
             of
             it
             ,
             to
             escape
             your
             present
             danger
             .
             And
             the
             guilt
             of
             Self-Murder
             may
             ,
             for
             ought
             I
             know
             ,
             be
             Contracted
             ,
             not
             only
             by
             a
             positive
             Act
             ,
             but
             by
             an
             Inflexible
             refusal
             of
             the
             proffer'd
             means
             of
             Safety
             .
             Pardon
             me
             ,
             I
             beseech
             you
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             pursues
             Didymus
             ,
             if
             the
             great
             Concern
             I
             have
             for
             such
             a
             Person
             as
             Theodora
             ,
             has
             Extorted
             from
             me
             ,
             a
             greater
             plainness
             of
             Speech
             ,
             than
             my
             profound
             Respect
             for
             Her
             would
             permit
             
             me
             ,
             upon
             any
             other
             occasion
             .
             And
             because
             I
             perceive
             that
             ,
             that
             which
             makes
             you
             most
             scruple
             to
             grant
             my
             humble
             Request
             ,
             is
             ,
             That
             your
             Superlative
             Generosity
             ,
             and
             what
             your
             Humility
             persuades
             you
             to
             think
             Gratitude
             ,
             make
             you
             solicitous
             for
             the
             preservation
             of
             a
             Life
             ,
             hazarded
             for
             your
             sake
             ;
             I
             must
             assure
             you
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             that
             your
             Inflexibleness
             will
             no
             way
             make
             provision
             for
             my
             safety
             .
             For
             ,
             if
             I
             should
             be
             Condemn'd
             by
             your
             cruel
             Commands
             ,
             to
             leave
             you
             expos'd
             to
             the
             barbarous
             and
             defiling
             rudeness
             of
             those
             Brutish
             Satyrs
             ,
             that
             impatiently
             wait
             without
             ,
             the
             regret
             and
             shame
             ,
             of
             having
             mis'd
             the
             Honour
             of
             
             Theodora's
             Rescue
             ,
             will
             give
             me
             far
             greater
             Torments
             ,
             than
             the
             Romans
             can
             ,
             for
             having
             effected
             it
             .
             And
             I
             must
             add
             on
             this
             Occasion
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             (
             continues
             he
             ,
             not
             without
             some
             change
             of
             Colour
             and
             Voice
             )
             that
             some
             Sentiments
             (
             which
             though
             I
             think
             not
             this
             a
             fit
             time
             or
             place
             to
             name
             ,
             have
             been
             much
             Confirm'd
             
             and
             Heightned
             ,
             by
             what
             I
             have
             this
             day
             had
             opportunity
             to
             observe
             )
             have
             so
             fast
             tied
             my
             Happiness
             to
             your
             Welfare
             ,
             that
             the
             presence
             of
             my
             Soul
             is
             scarce
             more
             necessary
             to
             my
             Life
             ,
             than
             your
             Safety
             is
             .
             Nor
             fancy
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             that
             the
             belief
             I
             own
             of
             the
             unlawfulness
             of
             Self-Murder
             ,
             will
             secure
             my
             Life
             :
             for
             there
             are
             other
             ways
             ,
             to
             procure
             Death
             to
             him
             that
             's
             weary
             of
             Life
             ,
             than
             his
             own
             Sword
             ,
             or
             a
             draught
             of
             Poyson
             ;
             since
             Passion
             alone
             ,
             when
             rais'd
             to
             a
             competent
             degree
             ,
             may
             do
             the
             office
             of
             either
             of
             those
             .
             And
             since
             Joy
             it self
             ,
             though
             the
             most
             pleasing
             and
             friendly
             of
             the
             Passions
             ,
             has
             by
             its
             Excess
             ,
             prov'd
             destructive
             of
             Mens
             Lives
             ;
             why
             may
             not
             Grief
             ,
             and
             Shame
             ,
             and
             Indignation
             ,
             which
             are
             Passions
             more
             violent
             ,
             and
             very
             unfriendly
             to
             Nature
             ,
             be
             able
             to
             produce
             as
             fatal
             Effects
             ?
             And
             to
             shew
             you
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             (
             continues
             Didymus
             )
             how
             much
             reason
             I
             have
             to
             think
             ,
             that
             your
             Condition
             dispenses
             me
             from
             obeying
             
             the
             Dictates
             of
             your
             Generosity
             ,
             let
             me
             .
             —
             But
             ,
             before
             Didymus
             had
             annex'd
             his
             Reasons
             ,
             a
             Noise
             made
             without
             ,
             gave
             him
             a
             hot
             Allarm
             ,
             and
             made
             him
             fear
             ,
             the
             patience
             of
             some
             that
             waited
             without
             ,
             would
             not
             last
             very
             much
             longer
             ;
             and
             therefore
             addressing
             himself
             to
             Theodora
             ,
             with
             a
             Countenance
             as
             Petitioning
             as
             his
             Words
             ,
             and
             Eyes
             ,
             in
             which
             his
             Courage
             could
             scarce
             repress
             the
             Tears
             :
             How
             long
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             says
             he
             ,
             will
             you
             upon
             groundless
             Scruples
             ,
             neglect
             an
             Opportunity
             ,
             whose
             Omission
             will
             be
             Irreparable
             .
             And
             how
             can
             you
             justifie
             to
             God
             ,
             the
             slighting
             the
             means
             His
             Providence
             presents
             you
             ,
             of
             easily
             securing
             your
             Safety
             .
             Ah
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             then
             (
             concludes
             Didymus
             )
             by
             one
             quick
             and
             necessary
             Resolve
             ,
             regain
             your
             Liberty
             ,
             preserve
             your
             Honour
             ,
             and
             secure
             your
             Life
             .
             But
             if
             nothing
             that
             has
             relation
             to
             your self
             alone
             will
             move
             you
             ,
             be
             pleas'd
             to
             reward
             the
             Services
             I
             have
             Essay'd
             to
             do
             you
             ,
             with
             the
             implor'd
             grant
             
             of
             your
             own
             Safety
             ;
             and
             permit
             me
             for
             this
             once
             ,
             rather
             to
             Serve
             you
             than
             Obey
             you
             .
             Nor
             need
             your
             generous
             Solicitude
             for
             me
             ,
             hinder
             ,
             or
             retard
             your
             Resolution
             :
             The
             World
             will
             not
             blame
             a
             Spotless
             Virgin
             ,
             for
             doing
             what
             is
             necessary
             to
             keep
             Her self
             such
             ;
             nor
             look
             upon
             it
             as
             a
             part
             of
             Ingratitude
             ,
             to
             grant
             ,
             to
             one
             that
             has
             done
             his
             best
             to
             serve
             Her
             ,
             a
             Recompence
             ,
             that
             he
             is
             so
             ambitious
             of
             ,
             as
             to
             venture
             his
             Life
             to
             obtain
             it
             at
             her
             Hands
             .
             In
             short
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             for
             the
             time
             allows
             me
             not
             a
             long
             Discourse
             ,
             if
             your
             Cruelty
             will
             not
             permit
             me
             to
             prevent
             your
             Death
             ;
             Grief
             ,
             and
             other
             Passions
             ,
             will
             not
             allow
             me
             to
             survive
             it
             :
             And
             then
             ,
             (
             supposing
             I
             should
             fail
             of
             making
             retreat
             )
             would
             it
             not
             be
             a
             much
             more
             happy
             Fate
             ,
             that
             the
             constant
             Didymus
             should
             Die
             ,
             for
             having
             sav'd
             the
             matchless
             Theodora
             ,
             than
             for
             having
             lost
             Her
             ?
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             III.
             
          
           
             TO
             these
             pathetick
             Words
             he
             thought
             not
             fit
             to
             stay
             for
             an
             answer
             ,
             but
             retiring
             to
             a
             corner
             of
             the
             room
             ,
             he
             divested
             himself
             of
             his
             military
             Coat
             ,
             and
             upon
             his
             knee
             ,
             presented
             it
             to
             Theodora
             .
             She
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             ,
             reflecting
             upon
             his
             Arguments
             ,
             was
             by
             their
             force
             ,
             convinc'd
             ,
             that
             the
             motion
             she
             had
             made
             him
             ,
             of
             killing
             her
             ,
             was
             grounded
             upon
             a
             dangerous
             Error
             .
             And
             the
             noise
             that
             had
             been
             made
             ,
             in
             the
             outward
             room
             ,
             alarming
             her
             ,
             at
             least
             as
             much
             as
             it
             had
             done
             him
             ,
             let
             her
             see
             she
             had
             no
             further
             time
             left
             her
             to
             deliberate
             .
             And
             therefore
             ,
             being
             prevail'd
             with
             ,
             by
             supplications
             ,
             made
             in
             so
             persuasive
             a
             way
             ,
             that
             it
             appear'd
             a
             far
             less
             cruelty
             ,
             even
             towards
             him
             ,
             to
             accept
             ,
             than
             finally
             to
             refuse
             ,
             his
             offer
             :
             She
             
             first
             made
             her
             Blushes
             ,
             and
             her
             silence
             intimate
             her
             consent
             ,
             and
             then
             declar'd
             it
             more
             expresly
             ,
             by
             raising
             him
             ,
             and
             taking
             out
             of
             his
             hand
             what
             he
             presented
             to
             her
             .
             And
             to
             his
             joy
             (
             which
             his
             foresight
             that
             his
             success
             would
             be
             fatal
             to
             him
             ,
             could
             not
             hinder
             from
             being
             very
             great
             )
             she
             receiv'd
             from
             him
             instruction
             how
             to
             put
             it
             on
             ,
             and
             permitted
             him
             (
             though
             not
             without
             strange
             disorder
             in
             her
             mind
             and
             looks
             )
             to
             assist
             her
             :
             For
             as
             it
             was
             absolutely
             necessary
             to
             do
             it
             ;
             so
             he
             did
             it
             with
             all
             imaginable
             care
             ,
             to
             distress
             so
             nice
             a
             Modesty
             ,
             as
             little
             as
             was
             possible
             :
             And
             therefore
             ,
             as
             soon
             as
             ever
             he
             had
             done
             that
             ,
             with
             all
             the
             respect
             and
             decency
             the
             place
             and
             occasion
             would
             by
             any
             means
             permit
             ,
             all
             that
             could
             be
             done
             without
             him
             ,
             he
             left
             her
             to
             do
             herself
             ,
             withdrawing
             to
             a
             part
             of
             the
             room
             ,
             whence
             he
             could
             not
             see
             her
             .
             Which
             Retreat
             he
             was
             induc'd
             to
             make
             ,
             not
             only
             out
             of
             civility
             and
             respect
             ,
             but
             perchance
             because
             the
             dangers
             that
             threat'n
             internal
             Chastity
             ,
             have
             this
             
             peculiar
             fate
             ,
             that
             usually
             those
             persons
             are
             most
             careful
             to
             shun
             them
             ,
             that
             are
             the
             most
             resolv'd
             ,
             and
             the
             best
             able
             ,
             to
             surmount
             them
             .
          
           
             As
             soon
             as
             the
             mutual
             Exchange
             of
             their
             habits
             had
             made
             it
             decent
             for
             them
             to
             discourse
             together
             ,
             the
             disguis'd
             Virgin
             ,
             with
             Cheeks
             cover'd
             with
             Blushes
             ,
             and
             with
             looks
             so
             obliging
             ,
             that
             they
             alone
             would
             have
             recompenc'd
             Didymus
             for
             any
             less
             service
             than
             that
             she
             now
             receiv'd
             ,
             addressing
             herself
             to
             her
             Benefactor
             ;
             If
             your
             Reasons
             ,
             saies
             she
             ,
             had
             not
             convinc'd
             me
             ,
             that
             I
             could
             not
             without
             a
             crime
             free
             my self
             from
             my
             wretched
             Condition
             by
             death
             ,
             and
             if
             yet
             death
             were
             not
             the
             only
             way
             ,
             by
             which
             ,
             if
             I
             decline
             your
             generous
             proffer
             ,
             I
             can
             possibly
             shun
             ,
             what
             I
             far
             more
             apprehend
             than
             death
             ,
             dishonor
             ;
             I
             should
             not
             leave
             you
             in
             a
             danger
             ,
             wherein
             only
             your
             concern
             for
             Religion
             and
             for
             me
             ,
             has
             engag'd
             you
             .
             But
             I
             doubt
             not
             the
             same
             Charity
             ,
             that
             put
             you
             upon
             making
             me
             your
             
             generous
             proffer
             ,
             and
             pressing
             me
             not
             to
             decline
             it
             ,
             will
             make
             you
             pardon
             a
             fault
             ,
             to
             which
             your
             own
             Reasons
             and
             Importunity
             have
             made
             you
             highly
             accessory
             ;
             especially
             since
             I
             know
             you
             think
             a
             tenderness
             of
             Honor
             ,
             and
             an
             abhorrence
             of
             all
             Defilement
             ,
             to
             be
             things
             so
             allowable
             in
             a
             Virgin
             ,
             as
             very
             much
             extenuate
             ,
             if
             not
             justifie
             ,
             what
             they
             require
             of
             her
             .
             And
             indeed
             I
             shall
             do
             you
             but
             right
             ,
             when
             I
             thankfully
             acknowledge
             ,
             that
             in
             this
             whole
             transaction
             about
             my
             Rescue
             ,
             your
             carriage
             has
             been
             such
             ,
             as
             would
             leave
             me
             no
             doubt
             ,
             if
             ever
             I
             had
             been
             so
             unjust
             as
             to
             have
             any
             ,
             of
             the
             purity
             &
             disinterestedness
             of
             your
             intentions
             ,
             by
             which
             I
             am
             not
             a
             little
             confirm'd
             in
             the
             opinion
             I
             have
             alwaies
             had
             ,
             That
             Vertue
             may
             inspire
             as
             Noble
             and
             as
             Hazardous
             Enterprises
             ,
             as
             Passion
             can
             .
             I
             know
             that
             in
             this
             daies
             work
             ,
             you
             aim'd
             at
             higher
             Retributions
             than
             could
             be
             expected
             from
             one
             in
             my
             Condition
             .
             But
             yet
             I
             think
             my self
             oblig'd
             to
             assure
             you
             ,
             That
             your
             Heroick
             Acts
             of
             
             Vertue
             and
             Friendship
             ,
             have
             not
             been
             exercis'd
             towards
             a
             Person
             insensible
             of
             them
             ;
             but
             that
             your
             Merit
             ,
             and
             your
             Favors
             ,
             have
             produc'd
             all
             the
             esteem
             and
             other
             Sentiments
             ,
             which
             they
             ought
             to
             produce
             ,
             in
             a
             Person
             ,
             that
             is
             not
             altogether
             incapable
             to
             discern
             and
             value
             them
             .
             And
             if
             the
             Pray'rs
             of
             a
             disconsolate
             Virgin
             ,
             then
             sav'd
             by
             you
             ,
             when
             all
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             World
             had
             abandon'd
             her
             ,
             can
             have
             any
             interest
             at
             the
             Throne
             of
             Grace
             ;
             they
             will
             obtain
             for
             you
             ,
             Blessings
             as
             great
             as
             your
             generosity
             to
             me
             has
             been
             ;
             and
             not
             less
             lasting
             ,
             than
             my
             Sense
             of
             it
             will
             be
             ;
             and
             you
             will
             ,
             during
             a
             long
             protracted
             life
             ,
             either
             be
             allow'd
             quietly
             to
             enjoy
             the
             Glory
             ,
             your
             many
             meritorious
             Hazards
             of
             it
             have
             purchas'd
             ,
             or
             else
             be
             enabled
             to
             find
             a
             happiness
             in
             your
             very
             Sufferings
             ,
             by
             vertue
             of
             those
             peculiar
             Consolations
             that
             are
             reserv'd
             for
             a
             persecuted
             Condition
             ;
             as
             anciently
             Manna
             was
             vouchsafed
             the
             Israelites
             ,
             only
             whilst
             they
             were
             Exiles
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             .
             The
             quick
             success
             God
             
             has
             been
             pleas'd
             to
             grant
             my
             Pray'rs
             for
             my
             own
             deliverance
             ,
             lets
             me
             not
             despair
             to
             find
             him
             propitious
             ,
             to
             those
             I
             shall
             with
             no
             less
             ardency
             put
             up
             for
             yours
             :
             But
             if
             your
             Charity
             should
             expose
             you
             to
             further
             danger
             ,
             I
             solemnly
             promise
             you
             ,
             that
             you
             shall
             find
             ,
             I
             have
             been
             instructed
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             oblig'd
             ,
             by
             your
             generosity
             ,
             and
             would
             not
             have
             left
             you
             expos'd
             for
             my
             sake
             ,
             that
             I
             might
             shun
             any
             danger
             that
             had
             threat'ned
             but
             my
             life
             .
          
           
             And
             now
             the
             mournful
             Virgin
             ,
             being
             to
             bid
             her
             accomplish'd
             Votary
             a
             farewel
             ,
             which
             probably
             enough
             would
             prove
             the
             last
             ;
             by
             a
             manifest
             change
             in
             her
             countenance
             ,
             and
             the
             tone
             of
             her
             voice
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             multitude
             of
             tears
             that
             fell
             from
             her
             fair
             Eyes
             ,
             convinc'd
             him
             no
             less
             of
             the
             trouble
             she
             was
             in
             upon
             his
             account
             ,
             than
             any
             verbal
             expressions
             could
             do
             it
             ;
             though
             she
             said
             to
             him
             ,
             in
             a
             most
             obliging
             manner
             ,
             Farewel
             my
             Generous
             Deliverer
             ;
             and
             may
             
             that
             God
             ,
             who
             sees
             with
             what
             reluctancy
             I
             consent
             to
             your
             danger
             ,
             free
             you
             happily
             from
             it
             ,
             and
             richly
             recompense
             that
             noble
             Charity
             that
             led
             you
             into
             it
             .
             I
             hope
             we
             shall
             yet
             see
             one
             another
             again
             upon
             Earth
             .
             I
             am
             confident
             we
             shall
             meet
             joyfully
             in
             Heaven
             ;
             by
             which
             I
             must
             confess
             my self
             very
             highly
             favour'd
             ,
             not
             only
             in
             my
             Deliverance
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             instrument
             of
             it
             ;
             since
             God
             makes
             me
             not
             beholden
             for
             my
             Rescue
             to
             any
             common
             person
             ,
             but
             is
             pleas'd
             so
             to
             order
             it
             ,
             that
             I
             receive
             the
             greatest
             of
             earthly
             Benefits
             ,
             from
             the
             most
             Generous
             of
             men
             .
          
           
             Madam
             ,
             replies
             the
             much
             troubled
             Didymus
             ,
             your
             own
             unequal'd
             perfections
             ,
             and
             the
             operation
             they
             have
             had
             on
             me
             ,
             make
             me
             so
             much
             yours
             ,
             that
             your
             wishing
             me
             happy
             ,
             does
             more
             towards
             the
             making
             me
             so
             ,
             than
             your
             humility
             will
             allow
             you
             to
             be
             aware
             of
             .
             You
             have
             too
             much
             Merit
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             to
             let
             the
             Services
             I
             have
             paid
             you
             ,
             have
             a
             title
             to
             any
             ;
             and
             what
             I
             have
             had
             the
             happiness
             
             to
             perform
             ,
             is
             but
             what
             was
             every
             brave
             man
             in
             
             Antioch's
             duty
             to
             endeavor
             .
             But
             if
             your
             Goodness
             will
             needs
             make
             you
             think
             ,
             that
             my
             poor
             Services
             should
             have
             another
             (
             for
             they
             can
             scarce
             have
             a
             greater
             )
             recompence
             ,
             than
             you
             have
             already
             given
             them
             ,
             by
             suffering
             them
             to
             conttribute
             to
             your
             safety
             ;
             and
             if
             you
             will
             vouchsafe
             to
             allow
             the
             memory
             of
             him
             that
             did
             them
             ,
             a
             room
             in
             your
             thoughts
             ,
             (
             which
             is
             the
             happiest
             Station
             it
             can
             aspire
             to
             upon
             earth
             :
             )
             I
             humbly
             beg
             your
             faithful
             servants
             Image
             may
             be
             look'd
             on
             without
             any
             troublesom
             degree
             of
             pity
             ;
             since
             his
             condition
             will
             then
             need
             none
             ,
             and
             the
             Idea
             would
             very
             much
             misrepresent
             the
             Original
             ,
             if
             it
             should
             disquiet
             her
             ,
             whom
             he
             never
             approach'd
             ,
             but
             to
             serve
             Her.
             'T
             is
             suitable
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             to
             this
             frame
             of
             mind
             ,
             that
             for
             Theodoras
             sake
             I
             must
             now
             deny
             my self
             so
             much
             ,
             as
             to
             hasten
             her
             departure
             ,
             least
             some
             cross
             accident
             should
             prevent
             it
             :
             At
             which
             words
             ,
             looking
             on
             her
             with
             a
             countenance
             that
             all
             his
             
             Courage
             could
             not
             keep
             from
             a
             discernable
             Change
             :
             Farewel
             ,
             said
             he
             ,
             incomparable
             Theodora
             ,
             may
             you
             continue
             long
             the
             Ornament
             and
             the
             Pattern
             of
             your
             Sex
             :
             And
             since
             we
             see
             that
             some
             Fruits
             may
             be
             as
             well
             preserv'd
             in
             Honey
             ,
             as
             others
             in
             Brine
             and
             Vinegar
             ,
             may
             the
             height
             of
             your
             Vertue
             be
             kept
             up
             ,
             but
             the
             objects
             of
             it
             so
             chang'd
             ,
             that
             by
             a
             settled
             Prosperity
             you
             may
             henceforth
             haveoccasion
             to
             exercise
             your
             moderation
             and
             your
             gratitude
             ,
             instead
             of
             your
             courage
             and
             your
             patience
             .
             Once
             more
             Farewel
             ,
             concludes
             he
             ,
             unequal'd
             Theodora
             ;
             and
             may
             you
             live
             but
             with
             as
             much
             Contentment
             ,
             as
             if
             I
             suffer
             for
             you
             ,
             I
             shall
             die
             with
             Satisfaction
             .
          
           
             Though
             these
             moving
             Expressions
             ,
             and
             the
             accent
             wherewith
             they
             were
             deliver'd
             ,
             did
             very
             sensibly
             touch
             a
             person
             so
             well
             natur'd
             and
             grateful
             as
             Theodora
             ;
             yet
             she
             thought
             the
             fittest
             return
             she
             could
             then
             make
             to
             her
             Lover's
             discourse
             ,
             was
             ,
             presently
             
             to
             follow
             the
             advice
             he
             was
             so
             earnest
             to
             have
             her
             speedily
             embrace
             .
             And
             therefore
             ,
             bidding
             him
             farewel
             only
             by
             a
             look
             ,
             wherein
             high
             degrees
             of
             sorrow
             and
             gratitude
             were
             plainly
             mingled
             ;
             she
             immediately
             dispos'd
             herself
             to
             quit
             that
             dismal
             place
             :
             Which
             then
             afforded
             a
             noble
             instance
             ,
             how
             little
             a
             great
             mind
             can
             be
             hindred
             from
             disclosing
             it self
             to
             be
             so
             ,
             by
             the
             Stage
             't
             is
             oblig'd
             to
             act
             upon
             .
             For
             whilst
             in
             divers
             of
             the
             stately
             Temples
             of
             Antioch
             ,
             Whores
             ,
             (
             such
             as
             Venus
             and
             
               Flora
               ,
            
             )
             and
             Ravishers
             ,
             and
             Adulterers
             ,
             (
             such
             as
             Jupiter
             and
             Mars
             )
             were
             solemnly
             ador'd
             ;
             in
             an
             infamous
             Scene
             ,
             dedicated
             to
             publick
             Lust
             and
             Violence
             ;
             the
             strictest
             Chastity
             was
             exercis'd
             ,
             and
             Martyrdom
             it self
             was
             contended
             for
             .
          
           
             Having
             once
             ventur'd
             into
             the
             outward
             room
             ,
             That
             Providence
             ,
             to
             which
             she
             had
             in
             such
             discouraging
             Circumstances
             trusted
             her
             Virgin
             Purity
             ,
             would
             not
             leave
             the
             rescue
             of
             it
             ,
             incompleat
             ;
             but
             whilst
             the
             waiting
             
             Ruffians
             were
             eagerly
             contending
             ,
             who
             should
             succeed
             the
             person
             they
             took
             by
             the
             Habit
             to
             be
             Didymus
             ,
             (
             and
             whose
             face
             they
             did
             not
             wonder
             to
             see
             muffled
             ,
             presently
             after
             so
             savage
             an
             action
             as
             they
             suppos'd
             him
             to
             have
             committed
             )
             brought
             her
             safely
             out
             of
             that
             infamous
             Place
             .
             Whence
             ,
             by
             the
             least
             frequented
             Passages
             she
             knew
             ,
             she
             was
             was
             quickly
             convey'd
             to
             the
             house
             of
             her
             dear
             Friend
             Irene
             ,
             which
             happen'd
             to
             be
             nearer
             than
             her
             own
             .
          
           
             There
             to
             avoid
             suspicion
             ,
             some
             of
             her
             friends
             and
             relations
             were
             met
             together
             ,
             to
             lament
             her
             Captivity
             ,
             and
             join
             in
             Prayer
             to
             him
             that
             alone
             could
             deliver
             her
             ,
             to
             be
             directed
             by
             God
             how
             they
             might
             (
             if
             it
             were
             possible
             )
             contribute
             to
             her
             rescue
             .
             But
             ,
             though
             their
             Prayers
             were
             probably
             made
             with
             more
             zeal
             than
             hope
             ,
             they
             were
             not
             a
             little
             alarm'd
             ,
             when
             looking
             out
             to
             see
             who
             knock'd
             at
             the
             door
             ,
             they
             saw
             ,
             as
             they
             thought
             ,
             a
             Soldier
             ,
             who
             would
             not
             have
             been
             
             quickly
             let
             in
             ,
             if
             Irene
             had
             not
             presum'd
             it
             to
             be
             Didymus
             ,
             who
             was
             coming
             to
             offer
             his
             Service
             to
             his
             captivated
             Mistress
             .
             But
             't
             is
             not
             easie
             to
             express
             the
             wonder
             and
             the
             joy
             ,
             with
             which
             they
             soon
             discover'd
             that
             this
             was
             not
             Theodoras
             Lover
             ,
             but
             herself
             ;
             whose
             Beauty
             and
             her
             military
             Dress
             ,
             would
             have
             made
             her
             ,
             had
             the
             Roman
             Guards
             discover'd
             her
             ,
             pass
             for
             their
             Pallas
             .
             Nor
             was
             such
             a
             Habit
             ,
             though
             improper
             for
             a
             Virgin
             ,
             unsuitable
             to
             a
             Great
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Chast
             Conqueror
             .
          
           
             But
             though
             her
             presence
             never
             needed
             the
             endearment
             of
             a
             Surprise
             ,
             yet
             the
             unexpectedness
             of
             it
             at
             that
             time
             and
             place
             ,
             added
             to
             the
             Transports
             it
             produc'd
             ;
             especially
             in
             Irene
             :
             Who
             after
             a
             thousand
             gratulations
             and
             caresses
             ,
             at
             length
             begg'd
             in
             the
             name
             of
             the
             impatient
             Company
             ,
             to
             know
             how
             the
             blessing
             they
             all
             receiv'd
             in
             her
             freedom
             ,
             was
             procur'd
             .
             To
             which
             reasonable
             request
             she
             answer'd
             ,
             by
             making
             a
             short
             but
             faithful
             Narrative
             ,
             
             of
             what
             had
             occur'd
             since
             the
             time
             she
             was
             cited
             before
             the
             President
             ,
             till
             she
             came
             to
             take
             Sanctuary
             among
             them
             ;
             piously
             concluding
             ,
             that
             ,
             as
             what
             she
             had
             done
             not
             misbecoming
             a
             Christian
             ,
             was
             altogether
             by
             the
             assistance
             of
             Divine
             Grace
             ,
             so
             the
             succour
             she
             receiv'd
             to
             bring
             her
             out
             of
             danger
             was
             by
             the
             Conduct
             of
             Divine
             Providence
             ,
             which
             in
             her
             delivery
             made
             use
             of
             the
             high
             vertue
             and
             generosity
             of
             Didymus
             .
             This
             Relation
             made
             the
             Company
             first
             return
             Thanks
             and
             Praises
             to
             the
             Divine
             Goodness
             ,
             which
             were
             followed
             by
             the
             celebrations
             of
             the
             happy
             Instrument
             of
             it
             :
             every
             one
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             by
             turns
             ,
             endeavouring
             to
             vye
             ,
             who
             should
             most
             commend
             so
             venturous
             &
             disinteressed
             a
             Lover
             .
             Nor
             perhaps
             did
             Theodora
             her self
             ,
             inwardly
             dissent
             from
             that
             gratefull
             company
             .
             For
             ,
             though
             her
             modesty
             and
             reservedness
             kept
             her
             from
             declaring
             her
             Sentiments
             ,
             as
             others
             did
             theirs
             ;
             yet
             perhaps
             that
             was
             because
             She
             thought
             ,
             that
             having
             given
             a
             Candid
             account
             
             of
             his
             deportment
             ,
             her
             Narrative
             had
             made
             her
             praises
             needless
             ,
             the
             History
             it self
             being
             indeed
             a
             Panegyric
             .
          
           
             After
             the
             Companies
             curiosity
             was
             somewhat
             satisfied
             by
             what
             Theodora
             had
             told
             them
             ,
             and
             both
             Irene
             and
             she
             had
             made
             a
             request
             to
             a
             Gentleman
             that
             knew
             Dydimus
             well
             ,
             to
             endeavour
             to
             bring
             them
             speedy
             notice
             of
             what
             had
             happened
             to
             him
             ,
             or
             was
             like
             to
             befall
             him
             :
             The
             two
             excellent
             Ladies
             retir'd
             to
             the
             apartment
             of
             Irene
             .
             There
             the
             pious
             Theodora
             ,
             having
             devoutly
             paid
             her
             solemn
             Thanks
             and
             Praise
             ,
             for
             her
             almost
             miraculous
             Deliverance
             ,
             to
             the
             Divine
             Author
             of
             it
             ;
             she
             was
             accommodated
             by
             her
             Friend
             ,
             with
             Cloaths
             befitting
             her
             Sex.
             Nor
             was
             it
             difficult
             for
             Irene
             ,
             (
             though
             on
             so
             sudden
             an
             occasion
             )
             to
             furnish
             her
             with
             a
             Habit
             she
             liked
             for
             besides
             ,
             that
             a
             Person
             so
             shap'd
             and
             fashioned
             as
             Theodora
             ,
             could
             make
             almost
             any
             dress
             Graceful
             ;
             she
             us'd
             to
             pity
             the
             mean
             vanity
             of
             those
             Ladies
             ,
             that
             could
             be
             either
             
             Ambitious
             or
             Proud
             of
             what
             they
             must
             owe
             to
             a
             Taylor
             or
             a
             Dresser
             ,
             and
             affected
             to
             be
             taken
             notice
             of
             ,
             not
             so
             much
             for
             what
             they
             are
             ,
             as
             for
             what
             they
             wear
             :
             And
             therefore
             ,
             tho'
             she
             did
             not
             scrupulously
             decline
             fashionable
             Clothes
             because
             they
             were
             so
             ;
             yet
             all
             the
             Ornaments
             that
             pass'd
             the
             limits
             of
             the
             modestest
             Decency
             ,
             she
             alwayes
             as
             little
             valu'd
             ,
             as
             she
             needed
             them
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             IV.
             
          
           
             BEfore
             this
             rare
             Couple
             return'd
             to
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             Company
             ,
             Irenes
             kindness
             for
             Didymus
             made
             her
             think
             ,
             she
             ought
             not
             to
             loose
             this
             opportunity
             ,
             of
             doing
             good
             offices
             to
             her
             absent
             Friend
             .
             And
             therefore
             having
             (
             as
             she
             easily
             might
             )
             brought
             the
             discourse
             to
             fall
             upon
             his
             late
             performances
             ;
             I
             hope
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             sayes
             she
             to
             Theodora
             ,
             you
             are
             now
             satisfi'd
             ,
             that
             the
             Character
             I
             gave
             you
             of
             the
             greatness
             of
             my
             Cousins
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             the
             Ardency
             of
             his
             Flame
             ,
             was
             dictated
             more
             by
             his
             Merit
             than
             my
             Friendship
             .
             I
             were
             very
             ungrateful
             ,
             replies
             Theodora
             ,
             if
             I
             did
             not
             willingly
             acknowledge
             his
             Generosity
             to
             be
             altogether
             extraordinary
             ,
             and
             that
             ,
             as
             he
             could
             not
             oblige
             me
             more
             highly
             than
             he
             has
             done
             ,
             so
             it
             was
             not
             possible
             
             that
             he
             should
             do
             it
             more
             handsomly
             .
          
           
             I
             know
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             saith
             Irene
             ,
             that
             Theodora
             may
             freely
             choose
             among
             all
             the
             illustrious
             Youth
             of
             Antioch
             ,
             what
             person
             she
             would
             please
             to
             make
             happy
             :
             And
             ,
             without
             considering
             her
             less
             obvious
             ,
             though
             more
             admirable
             ,
             Perfections
             ;
             far
             less
             Beauty
             than
             she
             is
             Mistress
             of
             ,
             has
             in
             our
             times
             ,
             given
             the
             Possessors
             a
             share
             in
             the
             Imperial
             Throne
             ,
             and
             perhaps
             too
             ,
             plac'd
             them
             upon
             the
             Roman
             Altars
             .
             But
             yet
             ,
             continues
             she
             ,
             since
             I
             have
             the
             honour
             to
             know
             you
             too
             well
             ,
             not
             to
             be
             confident
             ,
             that
             you
             value
             Piety
             and
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             a
             Flame
             regulated
             and
             excited
             by
             them
             ,
             above
             those
             outward
             advantages
             which
             weaker
             Spirits
             are
             influenc'd
             by
             ;
             I
             think
             I
             may
             presume
             to
             say
             ;
             that
             I
             know
             not
             any
             person
             in
             Antioch
             ,
             to
             whom
             the
             fair
             Theodora
             may
             with
             less
             Condescension
             vouchsafe
             a
             Share
             in
             her
             Favour
             ,
             than
             to
             him
             ,
             that
             had
             the
             happiness
             to
             give
             her
             so
             clear
             a
             proof
             ,
             of
             the
             ardency
             ,
             the
             purity
             ,
             and
             the
             disinterestedness
             of
             his
             Flame
             .
          
           
           
             If
             I
             had
             not
             ,
             reply's
             Theodora
             with
             a
             somewhat
             dissatisfy'd
             look
             ,
             been
             much
             surprised
             at
             the
             begining
             of
             your
             Discourse
             ;
             I
             had
             immediately
             stop'd
             you
             there
             :
             And
             lamented
             my
             infelicity
             ,
             that
             Irene
             ,
             whom
             I
             thought
             my self
             happy
             in
             having
             for
             my
             Friend
             ,
             allows
             her self
             what
             is
             so
             repugnant
             to
             true
             friendship
             ,
             as
             flattery
             is
             .
             I
             could
             ,
             continues
             Theodora
             without
             pausing
             for
             fear
             of
             being
             prevented
             ;
             easily
             ,
             and
             with
             the
             approbation
             of
             many
             of
             the
             best
             Judges
             in
             Antioch
             ,
             return
             the
             fair
             Irene
             her
             own
             Complements
             ,
             if
             I
             thought
             fit
             to
             imitate
             what
             I
             cannot
             approve
             .
             And
             to
             Speak
             seriously
             ,
             continues
             She
             ,
             neither
             you
             nor
             I
             ,
             nor
             any
             of
             our
             Sex
             ,
             ought
             to
             think
             Skin-deep
             Beauty
             as
             great
             a
             Blessing
             ,
             as
             't
             is
             an
             applauded
             one
             .
             For
             without
             our
             fault
             ,
             and
             in
             Spight
             of
             our
             care
             to
             preserve
             it
             ,
             a
             Thousand
             accidents
             may
             ,
             and
             time
             certainly
             will
             ,
             ruine
             the
             Loveliest
             Faces
             ;
             and
             perhaps
             to
             that
             degree
             ,
             as
             not
             in
             the
             remains
             to
             leave
             it
             credible
             that
             ever
             they
             were
             
             hansom
             .
             'T
             is
             true
             that
             those
             vain
             Men
             ,
             whose
             Passion
             masters
             their
             reason
             ,
             are
             wont
             (
             for
             the
             most
             part
             with
             designs
             we
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             proud
             of
             )
             to
             Speak
             extravagant
             things
             ,
             and
             too
             often
             even
             prophane
             Ones
             ,
             of
             the
             beauties
             they
             profess
             to
             adore
             .
             But
             though
             they
             really
             meant
             (
             which
             they
             very
             seldom
             do
             )
             all
             they
             say
             ,
             in
             praise
             of
             those
             they
             represent
             as
             Goddesses
             ;
             yet
             I
             think
             a
             considering
             person
             will
             scarce
             be
             very
             proud
             of
             receiving
             that
             Title
             ,
             from
             those
             who
             can
             think
             that
             a
             few
             Colours
             and
             Features
             luckily
             mingled
             ,
             are
             sufficient
             to
             make
             a
             Deity
             .
             An
             uncommon
             degree
             of
             Beauty
             ,
             adds
             she
             ,
             exposes
             the
             owner
             to
             extraordinary
             troubles
             ,
             from
             the
             Envy
             of
             those
             that
             want
             it
             ,
             and
             the
             Importunities
             of
             those
             that
             court
             it
             .
             And
             ,
             without
             as
             much
             caution
             and
             watchfulness
             as
             turn
             it
             into
             a
             trouble
             ,
             it
             too
             often
             proves
             a
             strong
             Temptation
             to
             those
             that
             admire
             it
             ,
             and
             a
             dangerous
             Snare
             to
             those
             that
             possess
             it
             .
             And
             if
             I
             
             had
             the
             vanity
             to
             think
             ,
             what
             you
             would
             persuade
             me
             to
             believe
             ,
             I
             should
             yet
             take
             Beauty
             in
             a
             woman
             ,
             to
             be
             like
             a
             rich
             Perfume
             ;
             which
             though
             it
             be
             a
             thing
             very
             grateful
             in
             most
             companies
             ,
             and
             perhaps
             (
             especially
             at
             first
             )
             very
             delightful
             to
             the
             wearer
             ,
             yet
             does
             often
             discompose
             ,
             not
             only
             strangers
             she
             chances
             to
             converse
             with
             ,
             but
             the
             best
             Friend
             she
             has
             ;
             and
             not
             seldom
             does
             mischief
             even
             to
             herself
             ,
             by
             disordering
             her
             head
             ,
             or
             casting
             her
             into
             fits
             of
             the
             mother
             .
             I
             beg
             your
             pardon
             ,
             Dear
             Madam
             ,
             says
             the
             fair
             Irene
             ,
             with
             somewhat
             of
             sadness
             in
             her
             looks
             ,
             that
             whilst
             I
             had
             so
             much
             Beauty
             in
             my
             eye
             and
             thoughts
             ,
             I
             forgot
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             in
             Theodora
             accompany'd
             with
             a
             far
             greater
             and
             scrupulous
             Humility
             ;
             and
             I
             did
             not
             apprehend
             that
             I
             could
             be
             thought
             guilty
             of
             Flattery
             ,
             so
             near
             to
             a
             witness
             (
             at
             which
             words
             she
             pointed
             to
             a
             Looking-Glass
             ,
             that
             hung
             up
             in
             the
             Room
             )
             ready
             to
             justifie
             more
             than
             I
             had
             occasion
             to
             say
             .
             I
             willingly
             
             acknowledge
             with
             you
             ,
             that
             the
             amiableness
             discoverable
             by
             the
             Eyes
             of
             every
             gazer
             ,
             is
             a
             thing
             far
             less
             desirable
             than
             desired
             :
             And
             procures
             the
             possessors
             more
             praise
             ,
             than
             it
             brings
             them
             happiness
             .
             And
             for
             my
             part
             ,
             adds
             she
             ,
             if
             I
             had
             the
             weakness
             to
             beleive
             my self
             Mistress
             of
             what
             the
             folly
             of
             some
             had
             made
             them
             flatter
             me
             with
             ,
             yet
             I
             should
             not
             be
             over
             much
             pleas'd
             with
             a
             Quality
             ,
             that
             would
             add
             to
             those
             harms
             my
             frailty
             makes
             me
             guilty
             of
             ,
             those
             which
             I
             never
             intended
             ;
             and
             makes
             Ladies
             so
             mischievous
             ,
             to
             those
             that
             most
             love
             them
             ,
             that
             even
             when
             they
             do
             not
             rob
             men
             of
             their
             Innocency
             ,
             they
             deprive
             them
             of
             their
             Quiet
             .
             I
             confess
             therefore
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             (
             continues
             Irene
             )
             that
             it
             was
             injurious
             to
             insist
             upon
             the
             praises
             of
             a
             face
             ,
             when
             ,
             how
             little
             soever
             it
             can
             be
             Match'd
             in
             its
             own
             kind
             ,
             't
             is
             accompanied
             with
             Several
             Beauties
             of
             a
             much
             nobler
             kind
             .
             But
             that
             which
             induc'd
             me
             to
             speak
             as
             I
             did
             ,
             was
             ,
             to
             let
             the
             fair
             Theodora
             see
             ,
             that
             I
             was
             justly
             sensible
             ,
             
             how
             great
             a
             thing
             I
             begg'd
             for
             my
             Friend
             ;
             when
             I
             implor'd
             for
             him
             an
             interest
             in
             Her
             Favour
             .
             And
             I
             do
             the
             less
             despair
             of
             the
             effects
             of
             your
             Goodness
             ,
             both
             to
             him
             and
             me
             ,
             because
             I
             beg
             them
             for
             an
             absent
             friend
             ,
             who
             is
             not
             in
             a
             condition
             to
             speak
             for
             himself
             ;
             and
             who
             ,
             as
             I
             perceiv'd
             by
             the
             obliging
             Relation
             you
             were
             pleas'd
             to
             make
             ,
             of
             his
             Carriage
             towards
             you
             ,
             declin'd
             making
             you
             any
             request
             ,
             when
             his
             Services
             were
             so
             happy
             as
             not
             to
             be
             useless
             to
             you
             .
             His
             silence
             ,
             answers
             Theodora
             ,
             in
             such
             circumstances
             ,
             had
             more
             effect
             on
             me
             ,
             than
             his
             passionatest
             solicitations
             would
             have
             produc'd
             .
             But
             the
             thing
             ,
             I
             presume
             ,
             you
             aim
             at
             ,
             for
             him
             ,
             is
             of
             that
             moment
             to
             me
             ,
             that
             I
             cannot
             think
             fit
             to
             discourse
             of
             it
             ,
             till
             we
             can
             do
             so
             with
             more
             calmness
             and
             leisure
             ,
             than
             we
             can
             at
             this
             time
             expect
             .
             You
             know
             ,
             Irene
             ,
             that
             I
             have
             still
             look'd
             upon
             Marriage
             as
             one
             of
             the
             most
             important
             Actions
             of
             Life
             :
             And
             ,
             
             though
             I
             think
             they
             have
             too
             mean
             a
             notion
             of
             Happiness
             and
             Misery
             ,
             who
             imagine
             ,
             that
             one
             Creature
             can
             make
             either
             of
             them
             the
             portion
             of
             another
             ;
             yet
             I
             think
             ,
             that
             not
             only
             the
             dictates
             of
             discretion
             ,
             but
             those
             of
             sincerity
             and
             chastity
             ,
             oblige
             a
             woman
             to
             have
             a
             great
             care
             ,
             not
             to
             enter
             into
             so
             near
             and
             indissoluble
             a
             Relation
             ,
             upon
             any
             grounds
             ,
             that
             are
             not
             like
             to
             last
             as
             long
             as
             it
             ,
             (
             and
             consequently
             ,
             as
             our
             lives
             :
             )
             And
             therefore
             ,
             a
             woman
             that
             resolves
             to
             be
             what
             she
             should
             be
             ,
             when
             a
             wife
             ,
             ought
             to
             deliberate
             much
             upon
             a
             Choice
             she
             can
             probably
             make
             but
             once
             ;
             and
             not
             needlesly
             venture
             to
             embarque
             herself
             on
             a
             Sea
             so
             infamous
             for
             frequent
             Shipwracks
             ,
             only
             because
             she
             is
             offer'd
             a
             fine
             Ship
             to
             make
             the
             long
             Voyage
             with
             .
             But
             ,
             continues
             the
             bashful
             Virgin
             ,
             (
             not
             without
             some
             little
             disorder
             in
             her
             looks
             )
             since
             my
             dear
             Irene
             will
             needs
             make
             use
             of
             the
             priviledge
             she
             has
             ,
             to
             know
             more
             of
             my
             thoughts
             than
             I
             would
             disclose
             to
             any
             other
             perperson
             
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             our
             friendship
             prevails
             with
             me
             to
             tell
             her
             ,
             that
             if
             I
             were
             altogether
             at
             my
             own
             disposal
             ,
             and
             could
             be
             induc'd
             to
             admit
             such
             a
             change
             of
             condition
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             alwayes
             been
             averse
             from
             ;
             I
             should
             be
             more
             influenc'd
             in
             my
             choice
             by
             the
             shining
             Vertues
             and
             Extraordinary
             Services
             of
             Didymus
             ,
             than
             by
             all
             the
             Advantages
             that
             either
             Titles
             ,
             or
             Riches
             ,
             or
             Dignities
             ,
             could
             give
             any
             of
             his
             Rivals
             .
             But
             ,
             my
             Dear
             Irene
             ,
             (
             adds
             she
             )
             we
             live
             in
             such
             times
             ,
             and
             I
             ,
             for
             my
             own
             particular
             ,
             am
             beset
             with
             such
             Circumstances
             ;
             that
             't
             were
             not
             only
             very
             unreasonable
             ,
             but
             wildly
             extravagant
             ,
             for
             me
             to
             encrease
             my
             Commerce
             with
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             For
             ,
             Irene
             ,
             continues
             she
             ,
             in
             my
             opinion
             ,
             a
             Christian
             does
             not
             deserve
             to
             be
             happy
             ,
             and
             a
             true
             one
             cannot
             think
             he
             is
             happy
             ,
             whilst
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             is
             miserable
             :
             At
             least
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             outward
             Calamities
             can
             make
             it
             .
             When
             I
             see
             the
             Empire
             
             over-run
             with
             Idolaters
             and
             Persecutors
             ;
             when
             I
             see
             Ravishers
             and
             Whores
             ,
             ador'd
             instately
             Temples
             ,
             and
             the
             only
             Worshippers
             of
             the
             True
             God
             driven
             into
             Corners
             ,
             and
             pursu'd
             even
             thither
             ;
             when
             I
             see
             such
             as
             God
             is
             pleas'd
             to
             declare
             
               the
               World
               not
               to
               be
               worthy
               of
               ,
            
             
             treated
             by
             men
             as
             persons
             not
             worthy
             to
             live
             in
             the
             World
             ;
             but
             daily
             expell'd
             out
             of
             it
             ,
             with
             ignominy
             and
             torments
             :
             When
             I
             say
             ,
             (
             adds
             Theodora
             ,
             with
             tears
             in
             her
             Eyes
             ,
             )
             I
             consider
             the
             general
             Desolation
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             that
             I
             am
             like
             and
             willing
             to
             be
             ,
             not
             a
             meer
             Spectator
             ,
             but
             a
             suffering
             Actor
             ,
             in
             this
             Tragedy
             ;
             I
             cannot
             ,
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             Her
             Sighs
             and
             Groans
             ,
             listen
             to
             the
             unseasonable
             Complements
             of
             a
             Lover
             ,
             think
             of
             relishing
             any
             Contentment
             ,
             that
             descends
             not
             from
             a
             place
             too
             high
             for
             Persecution
             to
             reach
             .
             In
             these
             Sentiments
             ,
             subjoins
             she
             ,
             I
             am
             warranted
             ,
             by
             no
             less
             Authority
             that
             than
             of
             an
             Apostle
             ;
             
             who
             ,
             though
             not
             unfavourable
             to
             the
             Marriage
             State
             ,
             disadvises
             those
             women
             that
             are
             free
             ,
             from
             entering
             into
             it
             ,
             at
             least
             during
             the
             present
             distress
             ;
             though
             that
             were
             in
             his
             time
             ,
             very
             much
             inferiour
             to
             those
             straits
             we
             are
             now
             reduc'd
             to
             .
             Yet
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             sayes
             Irene
             ,
             those
             expressions
             of
             Friendship
             ,
             that
             a
             Conjugal
             Relation
             invites
             ,
             are
             not
             only
             made
             allowable
             by
             it
             ,
             but
             commendable
             ;
             and
             are
             as
             real
             duties
             of
             Piety
             ,
             and
             Vertue
             ,
             as
             divers
             of
             the
             more
             abstracted
             Exercises
             of
             Religion
             .
             I
             do
             not
             contradict
             that
             ,
             replies
             Theodora
             ,
             but
             look
             upon
             that
             very
             thing
             ,
             as
             a
             disswasive
             ,
             from
             the
             state
             of
             life
             ,
             you
             would
             recommend
             .
             For
             ,
             if
             I
             could
             think
             fit
             ,
             to
             enter
             into
             it
             ,
             it
             should
             be
             with
             a
             resolution
             ,
             to
             do
             all
             that
             becomes
             me
             in
             it
             .
             And
             in
             such
             a
             calamitous
             Time
             as
             we
             live
             in
             ,
             I
             could
             not
             do
             that
             ,
             without
             coming
             far
             more
             than
             I
             now
             am
             ,
             within
             the
             worlds
             reach
             ;
             since
             I
             should
             think
             it
             my
             duty
             ,
             and
             perhaps
             be
             engag'd
             
             upon
             another
             account
             ,
             to
             have
             such
             apprehensions
             for
             a
             near
             friends
             danger
             ,
             as
             my
             own
             would
             be
             uncapable
             of
             giving
             me
             .
             And
             the
             Contentment
             I
             now
             enjoy
             ,
             in
             a
             disposition
             to
             quit
             the
             world
             without
             regret
             ,
             would
             be
             destroy'd
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             allay'd
             ,
             by
             an
             uneasiness
             to
             part
             with
             ,
             what
             duty
             and
             inclination
             would
             ,
             perhaps
             ,
             too
             much
             fasten
             me
             to
             .
             Here
             Irene
             was
             going
             to
             interrupt
             her
             by
             an
             answer
             ;
             when
             her
             fair
             friend
             prevented
             her
             ,
             by
             thus
             continuing
             her
             discourse
             :
             And
             to
             me
             it
             seems
             very
             considerable
             ,
             that
             the
             Apostle
             I
             lately
             mentiond
             ,
             clearly
             enough
             intimates
             ,
             that
             to
             persevere
             in
             a
             Virgin-State
             ,
             in
             times
             of
             Persecution
             ,
             gives
             those
             that
             prefer
             it
             ,
             the
             great
             advantage
             of
             serving
             God
             more
             undistractedly
             ;
             and
             consequently
             of
             being
             more
             entirely
             and
             uninterruptedly
             imploy'd
             ,
             in
             the
             direct
             Contemplation
             and
             Services
             ,
             of
             an
             Object
             so
             Sublime
             ,
             that
             our
             mind
             cannot
             divert
             to
             another
             ,
             without
             stooping
             to
             an
             inferiour
             one
             .
             
             And
             though
             it
             be
             true
             ,
             that
             the
             duties
             of
             a
             Relation
             ,
             may
             rightfully
             challenge
             a
             part
             of
             an
             engag'd
             persons
             time
             and
             care
             ;
             yet
             I
             see
             not
             why
             one
             that
             has
             no
             need
             ,
             should
             enter
             into
             a
             Relation
             ,
             that
             would
             make
             those
             distracting
             Duties
             necessary
             .
          
           
             Though
             Irene
             found
             it
             scarce
             possible
             to
             answer
             Theodoras
             Reasons
             ,
             yet
             her
             kindness
             to
             her
             absent
             friend
             ,
             made
             her
             unwilling
             to
             lose
             the
             opportunity
             their
             privacy
             gave
             her
             ,
             to
             make
             one
             attempt
             more
             in
             his
             favour
             :
             Which
             she
             did
             ,
             by
             saying
             to
             his
             excellent
             Mistress
             ;
             But
             shall
             not
             the
             as
             faithful
             as
             unhappy
             Didymus
             ,
             be
             allow'd
             to
             hope
             ,
             that
             if
             once
             those
             dismal
             Clouds
             that
             pour
             down
             show'rs
             of
             Blood
             ,
             shall
             be
             happily
             blown
             over
             ,
             he
             may
             have
             a
             particular
             share
             in
             the
             publick
             joy
             and
             Tranquility
             ;
             that
             his
             Sufferings
             shal
             end
             with
             the
             Persecutions
             of
             the
             Church
             ;
             that
             those
             fatal
             resolutions
             ,
             that
             are
             so
             destructive
             to
             
             his
             happiness
             ,
             may
             cease
             with
             their
             occasion
             ;
             
               that
               Theodoras
            
             Severity
             will
             not
             out
             live
             the
             Roman
             Cruelty
             ;
             and
             that
             her
             heart
             will
             not
             be
             the
             last
             place
             ,
             where
             the
             Emperours
             cruel
             Edicts
             will
             continue
             to
             have
             a
             fatal
             Operation
             .
          
           
             Alas
             Irene
             ,
             says
             Theodora
             ,
             somewhat
             troubled
             to
             be
             so
             press'd
             ;
             how
             unseasonably
             do
             you
             now
             discourse
             to
             me
             ,
             about
             things
             relating
             to
             a
             time
             ,
             to
             which
             very
             probably
             my
             life
             will
             never
             reach
             .
             For
             ,
             Subjoines
             She
             ,
             to
             deal
             clearly
             with
             you
             ;
             I
             am
             so
             far
             from
             flattering
             my self
             ,
             with
             an
             Expectation
             of
             those
             Halcyon
             dayes
             I
             wish
             you
             may
             live
             to
             see
             ,
             that
             I
             shall
             not
             be
             surpriz'd
             ,
             if
             this
             day
             prove
             the
             last
             I
             shall
             Spend
             in
             this
             World.
             And
             if
             before
             Night
             ,
             I
             pass
             thence
             into
             another
             ;
             where
             the
             frailty
             and
             Mortality
             ,
             upon
             which
             Marriage
             was
             founded
             ,
             ceasing
             ,
             that
             condition
             of
             Life
             will
             have
             no
             Place
             ;
             but
             will
             be
             Succeded
             by
             an
             Angelical
             State
             ,
             where
             our
             
             Friendships
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             our
             Persons
             ,
             will
             be
             Transfigur'd
             ,
             and
             made
             Incomparably
             more
             Perfect
             than
             they
             can
             be
             here
             below
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             V.
             
          
           
             THeodora
             had
             Scarce
             made
             an
             end
             of
             saying
             this
             ,
             when
             her
             Conversation
             with
             her
             fair
             Friend
             was
             Interrupted
             ,
             by
             the
             notice
             that
             was
             given
             them
             of
             ,
             the
             arrival
             of
             a
             Gentleman
             of
             their
             Religion
             ,
             who
             brought
             some
             News
             that
             it
             Concern'd
             them
             to
             know
             .
             This
             advertisement
             soon
             brought
             back
             these
             two
             Excellent
             Ladies
             to
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             Company
             ;
             to
             which
             this
             Intelligent
             and
             Inquisitive
             Person
             was
             going
             to
             give
             an
             account
             ,
             which
             the
             Sadnes
             of
             his
             Looks
             prepar'd
             them
             to
             find
             an
             unwelcom
             one
             .
             However
             ;
             they
             listen'd
             to
             him
             with
             
             great
             attention
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Concern
             :
             and
             He
             after
             a
             short
             Preamble
             ,
             briefly
             acquainted
             them
             with
             some
             particulars
             ,
             that
             will
             hereafter
             be
             more
             fully
             related
             .
             But
             that
             which
             he
             himself
             seem'd
             most
             mov'd
             at
             the
             mention
             of
             ,
             and
             which
             most
             affected
             his
             hearers
             ,
             was
             this
             ;
             That
             when
             the
             President
             had
             notice
             of
             Theodora's
             escape
             ,
             though
             there
             wanted
             not
             some
             Generous
             Men
             ,
             that
             endeavour'd
             by
             severall
             Arguments
             to
             diswade
             him
             from
             prosecuting
             her
             any
             further
             ;
             Yet
             he
             was
             so
             far
             from
             being
             prevail'd
             with
             ,
             to
             Comply
             with
             so
             reasonable
             a
             motion
             ,
             that
             he
             solemnly
             Protested
             ,
             that
             if
             ever
             he
             could
             get
             this
             Fugitive
             (
             as
             he
             was
             pleas'd
             to
             call
             ,
             that
             admirable
             Person
             )
             once
             more
             into
             his
             power
             ,
             he
             would
             never
             strive
             again
             to
             reclaim
             her
             by
             the
             fear
             of
             Infamy
             ,
             (
             a
             thing
             which
             ,
             said
             he
             ,
             I
             perceiv'd
             She
             despis'd
             )
             but
             by
             the
             terrour
             of
             death
             ;
             Supposing
             ,
             as
             he
             added
             ,
             that
             She
             would
             not
             fly
             from
             an
             Altar
             ,
             to
             a
             Scaffold
             ,
             
             a
             Stake
             ;
             and
             resolving
             ,
             in
             case
             She
             were
             inflexible
             ,
             to
             Sacrifice
             her
             to
             the
             indignation
             of
             those
             ●●cens'd
             Deity
             's
             She
             had
             so
             Obstinately
             provok'd
             .
          
           
             The
             former
             part
             of
             this
             Discourse
             ,
             which
             related
             to
             Didymus
             ,
             his
             Excellent
             Mistress
             heard
             not
             ,
             with
             out
             such
             inward
             Commotions
             ,
             that
             in
             Spight
             of
             the
             Calmness
             and
             reservedness
             of
             her
             temper
             ,
             they
             clearly
             enough
             disclos'd
             themselves
             in
             her
             face
             ,
             by
             several
             Changes
             of
             Colour
             ,
             which
             those
             that
             had
             lately
             admir'd
             the
             greatness
             of
             her
             Courage
             ,
             could
             not
             but
             ascribe
             to
             that
             of
             her
             concern
             for
             her
             distressed
             Lover
             .
             But
             when
             the
             Relator
             had
             concluded
             that
             part
             of
             his
             Narrative
             ,
             that
             directly
             regarded
             her self
             ,
             tho'
             it
             fill'd
             all
             the
             Auditors
             with
             grief
             and
             terrour
             ,
             Theodora
             seem'd
             to
             have
             gain'd
             a
             new
             life
             ;
             Since
             in
             her
             looks
             ,
             the
             visible
             tokens
             of
             a
             deep
             sadness
             ,
             were
             succeeded
             by
             no
             less
             manifest
             Signs
             of
             joy
             .
          
           
           
             While
             the
             rest
             of
             those
             to
             whom
             the
             Melancholy
             account
             was
             given
             ,
             were
             entertaining
             one
             another
             with
             the
             reflections
             they
             made
             upon
             it
             ;
             Irene
             having
             drawn
             her
             fair
             friend
             aside
             ,
             was
             impatient
             to
             learn
             the
             cause
             of
             that
             pleasing
             change
             ,
             she
             had
             observ'd
             in
             her
             looks
             .
          
           
             Whilst
             ,
             answers
             Theodora
             ,
             I
             was
             listening
             to
             the
             report
             of
             the
             Eminent
             Danger
             ,
             which
             the
             Generous
             Didymus
             was
             Expos'd
             to
             for
             my
             Sake
             ,
             I
             could
             not
             but
             be
             Extreamly
             Troubled
             ,
             to
             find
             my Self
             restrain'd
             from
             attempting
             his
             Rescue
             ,
             by
             the
             manifess
             :
             Danger
             ,
             of
             being
             by
             the
             Barbarous
             President
             sent
             back
             to
             the
             infamous
             place
             ,
             whence
             your
             vertuous
             friend
             had
             ventur'd
             so
             much
             to
             free
             me
             :
             But
             now
             that
             the
             Judge
             ,
             by
             a
             Solemn
             Declaration
             ,
             has
             tyed
             up
             his
             own
             hands
             from
             tempting
             me
             ,
             by
             so
             justifiable
             a
             fear
             as
             that
             of
             Infamy
             ;
             't
             was
             no
             wonder
             ,
             my
             Looks
             disclos'd
             some
             Tokens
             of
             a
             joy
             ,
             grounded
             upon
             so
             
             welcom
             an
             opportunity
             to
             exercise
             my
             Gratitude
             Without
             hazarding
             my
             Honour
             .
          
           
             What
             ?
             Theodora
             !
             saith
             Ierene
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             Thunder-struck
             with
             this
             unexpected
             answer
             ;
             do
             you
             put
             so
             small
             a
             value
             upon
             that
             wonderful
             Deliverance
             ,
             that
             scarce
             an
             hour
             ago
             you
             did
             so
             devoutly
             and
             deservedly
             give
             Thanks
             for
             ,
             that
             you
             will
             so
             soon
             rush
             into
             greater
             dangers
             ,
             than
             those
             that
             requir'd
             little
             less
             than
             a
             miracle
             to
             rescue
             you
             from
             them
             ?
          
           
             I
             hope
             ,
             replies
             calmly
             Theodora
             ,
             that
             I
             shall
             never
             forget
             ,
             nor
             without
             a
             deep
             sense
             remember
             ,
             the
             admirable
             rescue
             you
             speak
             of
             .
             But
             I
             take
             the
             most
             gracious
             part
             of
             that
             Deliverance
             ,
             to
             consist
             in
             my
             being
             rescu'd
             from
             Dishonour
             ;
             and
             think
             it
             would
             be
             much
             less
             obliging
             than
             it
             is
             ,
             if
             it
             debar'd
             me
             from
             the
             surest
             and
             directest
             ways
             to
             Glory
             ;
             and
             if
             ,
             to
             preserve
             my
             external
             Purity
             ,
             it
             did
             
             condemn
             me
             to
             Ingratitude
             ,
             towards
             the
             meritorious
             Instrument
             of
             that
             Preservation
             .
          
           
             Our
             Lives
             ,
             saith
             Irene
             ,
             being
             trusted
             to
             us
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             vouchsaf'd
             us
             ,
             by
             God
             ;
             are
             not
             so
             much
             at
             our
             own
             disposal
             ,
             that
             't
             is
             allowable
             for
             us
             to
             part
             with
             them
             ,
             as
             we
             think
             fit
             :
             And
             't
             is
             possible
             for
             us
             to
             abandon
             them
             ,
             not
             only
             when
             we
             do
             directly
             and
             violently
             rid
             our selves
             of
             them
             ,
             but
             when
             we
             do
             those
             things
             ,
             whose
             natural
             Consequence
             is
             an
             untimely
             Death
             .
          
           
             I
             believe
             with
             you
             ,
             saith
             Theodora
             ,
             that
             our
             Lives
             are
             to
             be
             reckon'd
             among
             those
             Goods
             that
             we
             are
             entrusted
             with
             ,
             rather
             as
             Stewards
             than
             unaccountable
             Proprietors
             ;
             and
             acknowledge
             too
             ,
             that
             certain
             actions
             ,
             that
             do
             not
             directly
             ,
             may
             yet
             criminally
             ,
             tend
             to
             their
             destruction
             .
             But
             I
             do
             not
             think
             the
             care
             of
             our
             Lives
             is
             committed
             to
             us
             ,
             as
             that
             of
             our
             Souls
             
             is
             ,
             with
             so
             indispensable
             an
             obligation
             to
             keep
             them
             ;
             that
             it
             can
             never
             upon
             any
             terms
             whatsoever
             ,
             be
             lawful
             for
             us
             to
             loose
             them
             .
             For
             ,
             I
             think
             Life
             to
             be
             a
             Talent
             ,
             which
             is
             indeed
             to
             be
             carefully
             husbanded
             and
             preserv'd
             ;
             but
             is
             committed
             to
             us
             ,
             not
             so
             much
             to
             keep
             safe
             ,
             as
             to
             negotiate
             with
             ;
             and
             is
             entrusted
             to
             us
             in
             order
             to
             a
             condition
             better
             than
             it self
             .
             And
             therefore
             ,
             if
             Religion
             ,
             or
             Vertue
             ,
             require
             any
             thing
             at
             our
             hands
             ,
             which
             cannot
             be
             perform'd
             without
             endangering
             ,
             or
             even
             loosing
             our
             Lives
             ,
             in
             that
             case
             to
             venture
             them
             ,
             or
             to
             part
             with
             them
             ,
             is
             a
             duty
             ;
             and
             consequently
             at
             least
             a
             justifiable
             action
             :
             And
             this
             pursues
             Theodora
             ,
             I
             take
             to
             be
             my
             case
             ;
             who
             am
             summon'd
             by
             Faithfulness
             to
             a
             just
             Promise
             ,
             and
             by
             Gratitude
             to
             an
             extraordinary
             Benefactor
             ,
             to
             endeavour
             the
             saving
             of
             an
             innocent
             Person
             ,
             who
             is
             accus'd
             on
             my
             account
             ,
             and
             has
             brought
             himself
             into
             a
             great
             danger
             ,
             only
             for
             having
             most
             obligingly
             
             Rescu'd
             me
             from
             a
             greater
             .
          
           
             But
             what
             ,
             replies
             Irene
             ,
             if
             the
             attempt
             you
             design
             ,
             is
             far
             more
             likely
             to
             destroy
             you
             ,
             than
             to
             save
             Didymus
             ?
             For
             the
             barbarous
             Judge
             ,
             is
             so
             much
             an
             Enemy
             to
             all
             Christians
             ,
             as
             such
             ,
             and
             so
             much
             incens'd
             against
             You
             ,
             for
             your
             Escape
             ,
             and
             Him
             for
             having
             been
             the
             Author
             of
             it
             ;
             that
             the
             Cruelty
             of
             that
             inexorable
             man
             ,
             will
             make
             him
             gladly
             destroy
             you
             both
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             humane
             pow'r
             and
             rage
             can
             do
             it
             .
             And
             so
             ,
             without
             preserving
             to
             the
             Church
             of
             Antioch
             ,
             one
             of
             its
             Ornaments
             ,
             you
             will
             deprive
             it
             of
             another
             ,
             and
             a
             greater
             ;
             by
             denying
             it
             the
             Influence
             it
             might
             receive
             ,
             by
             so
             lasting
             and
             Exemplary
             a
             Vertue
             ,
             as
             may
             justly
             be
             expected
             in
             a
             person
             so
             pious
             ,
             and
             so
             young
             ,
             as
             Theodora
             .
          
           
             The
             Experience
             ,
             answers
             Theodora
             ,
             that
             this
             very
             day
             has
             afforded
             me
             ,
             forbids
             me
             to
             distrust
             Divine
             
             Providence
             ;
             and
             keeps
             me
             from
             despairing
             to
             find
             my
             endeavors
             to
             rescue
             your
             Kinsman
             ,
             succesful
             ;
             if
             the
             Most
             Wise
             and
             Good
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Absolute
             Disposer
             ,
             of
             Events
             ,
             shall
             not
             think
             it
             less
             our
             advantage
             ,
             to
             be
             repriev'd
             than
             crown'd
             .
             Without
             presuming
             therefore
             ,
             to
             foresee
             Events
             ,
             't
             is
             my
             part
             to
             do
             what
             God
             has
             vouchsafed
             to
             put
             into
             my
             power
             :
             and
             't
             is
             not
             my
             duty
             to
             rescue
             Didymus
             ,
             but
             it
             is
             to
             attempt
             it
             ;
             and
             thereby
             acquit
             my self
             as
             far
             as
             I
             am
             able
             ,
             of
             what
             I
             owe
             to
             my
             promise
             ,
             and
             my
             gratitude
             .
             If
             I
             had
             the
             vanity
             to
             think
             ,
             adds
             she
             ,
             that
             in
             a
             person
             of
             my
             Sex
             and
             Frailties
             ,
             such
             a
             Church
             as
             that
             of
             Antioch
             ,
             could
             be
             much
             concern'd
             ;
             I
             should
             think
             too
             ,
             that
             the
             attempt
             I
             am
             about
             to
             make
             ,
             were
             the
             best
             way
             to
             make
             my
             life
             somewhat
             significant
             .
             For
             ,
             whereas
             our
             heathen
             Adversaries
             are
             so
             blinded
             with
             Prejudices
             ,
             that
             they
             look
             upon
             all
             we
             do
             or
             suffer
             for
             Christianity
             ,
             as
             the
             effects
             of
             a
             kind
             of
             Superstitious
             
             Frenzy
             ,
             that
             seizes
             us
             ,
             and
             transports
             us
             ,
             whenever
             the
             Articles
             of
             our
             Faith
             are
             contended
             for
             :
             My
             exposing
             my self
             to
             their
             fury
             ,
             rather
             than
             be
             wanting
             to
             the
             dictates
             of
             Gratitude
             ,
             which
             they
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             we
             ,
             look
             on
             as
             a
             Moral
             Vertue
             ,
             may
             help
             to
             convince
             them
             ,
             that
             our
             love
             to
             Vertue
             is
             general
             ,
             and
             more
             disinterested
             ,
             than
             they
             thought
             it
             :
             Since
             Christians
             can
             venture
             and
             part
             with
             their
             Lives
             ,
             as
             well
             to
             shun
             Ingratitude
             ,
             as
             to
             resist
             Idolatry
             .
          
           
             This
             gratitude
             ,
             (
             replies
             Irene
             )
             whose
             excess
             gives
             you
             and
             us
             ,
             so
             much
             trouble
             ,
             is
             a
             relative
             thing
             ;
             and
             Benefits
             or
             Services
             receiv'd
             ,
             ought
             to
             be
             requited
             by
             Actions
             ,
             that
             are
             acceptable
             to
             those
             ,
             they
             are
             design'd
             to
             gratify
             ;
             but
             sure
             ,
             not
             by
             such
             ,
             as
             we
             know
             will
             be
             unwelcome
             to
             them
             .
             And
             therefore
             ,
             (
             continues
             she
             )
             the
             faithfulest
             ,
             and
             most
             disinterested
             of
             your
             Servants
             ,
             will
             be
             far
             more
             unhappy
             ,
             
             than
             the
             Roman
             Cruelty
             can
             make
             him
             ,
             if
             what
             he
             has
             done
             ,
             doth
             not
             convince
             you
             ,
             that
             he
             can
             never
             look
             upon
             any
             thing
             ,
             as
             a
             favour
             or
             retribution
             to
             him
             ,
             that
             shall
             destroy
             ,
             or
             so
             much
             as
             endanger
             ,
             his
             adored
             Mistress
             .
          
           
             I
             were
             very
             unworthy
             ,
             (
             rejoins
             Theodora
             )
             if
             I
             did
             not
             think
             Didymus
             capable
             of
             the
             highest
             Sentiments
             that
             generosity
             and
             friendship
             can
             inspire
             .
             But
             he
             is
             too
             just
             ,
             to
             forbid
             those
             he
             loves
             ,
             to
             aspire
             to
             some
             share
             of
             those
             noble
             Quality's
             ;
             upon
             whose
             account
             ,
             I
             am
             to
             consider
             ,
             not
             so
             much
             what
             his
             Vertue
             will
             relish
             ,
             as
             what
             his
             condition
             requires
             ;
             there
             being
             a
             sort
             of
             Debts
             ,
             to
             which
             mine
             to
             him
             belong
             ,
             that
             ought
             to
             be
             the
             more
             carefully
             paid
             ,
             the
             more
             frankly
             they
             are
             remitted
             .
          
           
             The
             sorrowful
             Irene
             ,
             being
             exceeding
             troubled
             ,
             to
             see
             her
             endeavours
             unsuccessful
             ,
             on
             an
             occasion
             ,
             upon
             
             which
             of
             all
             others
             ,
             she
             most
             wish'd
             to
             find
             them
             prevalent
             ,
             was
             prompted
             by
             her
             grief
             ,
             to
             bring
             her
             Eyes
             to
             the
             assistance
             of
             her
             Tongue
             ;
             and
             weeping
             ,
             said
             to
             her
             inflexible
             Mistress
             ;
             If
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             you
             will
             not
             have
             any
             compassion
             for
             the
             excellent
             Theodora
             ,
             at
             least
             take
             some
             pity
             upon
             the
             disconsolate
             Irene
             ;
             and
             if
             her
             Arguments
             cannot
             move
             you
             ,
             be
             not
             at
             least
             inexorable
             to
             her
             Fears
             .
             You
             have
             ,
             (
             continues
             she
             )
             vouchsaf'd
             me
             the
             honour
             of
             your
             friendship
             ,
             and
             the
             happiness
             of
             your
             conversation
             ;
             and
             by
             both
             these
             blessings
             ,
             have
             given
             me
             so
             much
             esteem
             and
             kindness
             ,
             for
             so
             great
             a
             Benefactor
             ,
             that
             if
             you
             deny
             me
             ,
             what
             I
             now
             implore
             ,
             you
             will
             turn
             the
             noblest
             parts
             of
             my
             happiness
             upon
             Earth
             ,
             into
             instruments
             of
             my
             Infelicity
             ;
             since
             ,
             in
             a
             World
             depriv'd
             of
             Theodora
             ,
             the
             desolate
             Irene
             ,
             will
             Languish
             ,
             rather
             than
             Live
             ,
             if
             she
             should
             be
             able
             to
             survive
             so
             great
             a
             Loss
             .
          
           
           
             Theodora
             ,
             whose
             Resolution
             and
             good
             Nature
             were
             both
             of
             them
             extraordinary
             ,
             though
             she
             had
             courage
             enough
             to
             support
             calmly
             her
             own
             personal
             Sufferings
             ,
             yet
             she
             had
             tenderness
             enough
             to
             be
             very
             sensible
             of
             those
             of
             her
             Friends
             .
             And
             the
             moving
             expressions
             of
             the
             sorrowful
             Irene
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             Tears
             that
             accompany'd
             them
             ,
             made
             such
             an
             impression
             on
             her
             ,
             that
             though
             ,
             having
             foreseen
             this
             Storm
             ,
             it
             did
             not
             surprize
             her
             ,
             yet
             it
             did
             much
             distress
             her
             ,
             and
             let
             her
             ;
             see
             ,
             how
             many
             uneasie
             Victories
             she
             was
             to
             gain
             ,
             before
             she
             could
             triumphantly
             compleat
             that
             days
             work
             .
             And
             though
             after
             a
             short
             ,
             but
             sharp
             ,
             Conflict
             ,
             between
             her
             kindness
             and
             her
             Resolution
             ,
             the
             latter
             of
             them
             prevail'd
             ,
             yet
             ,
             't
             was
             not
             without
             some
             Reluctancy
             and
             Commotion
             ,
             that
             she
             was
             able
             to
             return
             this
             Answer
             .
             Ah
             ,
             dear
             Irene
             ,
             do
             not
             exercise
             so
             much
             Cruelty
             your self
             ,
             whilst
             you
             reproach
             me
             for
             being
             Cruel
             ;
             and
             do
             not
             add
             to
             
             the
             great
             affliction
             of
             parting
             with
             such
             a
             Friend
             as
             Irene
             ,
             that
             of
             seeing
             her
             so
             much
             troubled
             on
             my
             account
             ,
             and
             of
             seeing
             myself
             necessitated
             to
             the
             uneasie
             Task
             of
             denying
             a
             Request
             of
             hers
             .
             If
             what
             I
             owe
             to
             my
             Religion
             ,
             and
             to
             your
             generous
             Cousin
             ,
             would
             suffer
             me
             upon
             any
             terms
             ,
             to
             alter
             the
             Resolves
             it
             prompted
             me
             to
             ;
             the
             delaration
             of
             your
             desire
             to
             have
             me
             do
             it
             ,
             would
             have
             made
             all
             the
             Arguments
             you
             employ'd
             to
             perswade
             me
             to
             it
             ,
             unnecessary
             .
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             that
             among
             Vertuous
             Friends
             ,
             kindness
             may
             challenge
             much
             ,
             but
             not
             to
             the
             prejudice
             of
             Conscience
             and
             Reputation
             .
             I
             hope
             our
             Friendship
             is
             not
             ,
             and
             am
             sure
             it
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             ,
             barely
             a
             mutual
             fondness
             of
             two
             young
             Virgins
             ;
             but
             that
             vertue
             had
             a
             gteater
             share
             in
             making
             and
             continuing
             it
             ,
             than
             Sympathy
             and
             Inclination
             had
             .
             And
             't
             is
             but
             just
             ,
             that
             a
             friendship
             ,
             grounded
             chiefly
             upon
             Vertue
             ,
             should
             be
             govern'd
             and
             regulated
             by
             it
             .
             Per-Permit
             
             me
             therefore
             (
             pursues
             she
             )
             with
             that
             freedom
             and
             plainness
             ,
             that
             our
             Friendship
             allows
             ,
             to
             put
             you
             in
             mind
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             straits
             wherein
             Providence
             has
             now
             placed
             us
             ,
             it
             calls
             upon
             us
             to
             consider
             ,
             not
             only
             that
             we
             are
             Friends
             ,
             but
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             Christians
             too
             ;
             who
             ought
             in
             reason
             ,
             as
             well
             for
             our
             departing
             as
             our
             departed
             Friends
             ,
             to
             listen
             to
             the
             Apostle
             of
             us
             Gentiles
             ,
             
             who
             forbids
             us
             ,
             upon
             the
             removal
             of
             those
             we
             love
             ,
             to
             give
             
               up
               our selves
               to
               Sorrow
               ,
               as
               those
               that
               have
               no
               hope
               .
            
             Indeed
             ,
             if
             we
             were
             Epicureans
             ,
             that
             believe
             the
             Soul
             as
             mortal
             ,
             as
             the
             Body
             ;
             or
             such
             other
             Pagans
             ,
             as
             bury
             in
             the
             Graves
             of
             their
             Friends
             ,
             the
             hopes
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             the
             confidence
             ,
             of
             meeting
             them
             again
             :
             we
             could
             scarce
             too
             bitterly
             deplore
             a
             Seperation
             ,
             that
             would
             certainly
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             for
             ought
             we
             knew
             ,
             prove
             an
             Eternal
             one
             .
             But
             having
             ,
             through
             the
             goodness
             of
             God
             been
             embracers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             enabled
             ,
             though
             
             but
             imperfectly
             ,
             yet
             sincerely
             ,
             to
             live
             according
             to
             its
             Dictates
             ,
             and
             be
             ready
             to
             die
             for
             its
             defence
             ;
             the
             same
             Grace
             may
             keep
             us
             from
             fearing
             ,
             that
             the
             time
             of
             our
             separation
             will
             be
             lasting
             enough
             ,
             to
             bear
             any
             considerable
             proportion
             to
             that
             Eternity
             ,
             which
             will
             be
             allow'd
             us
             to
             enjoy
             each
             others
             Company
             in
             .
             And
             give
             me
             leave
             to
             tell
             you
             ,
             Irene
             ,
             that
             I
             cannot
             rejoice
             at
             any
             expressions
             ,
             even
             of
             your
             kindness
             ,
             that
             are
             injurious
             to
             your
             Piety
             ,
             and
             bring
             your
             love
             of
             me
             ,
             into
             a
             competition
             with
             that
             ,
             which
             ought
             to
             be
             as
             unparrallel'd
             as
             its
             Object
             is
             .
             They
             love
             a
             Creature
             too
             much
             ,
             that
             think
             it
             too
             good
             to
             be
             parted
             with
             ,
             for
             the
             Creators
             service
             .
             'T
             is
             a
             high
             injury
             to
             him
             ,
             to
             think
             we
             can
             lose
             any
             thing
             for
             him
             ,
             that
             he
             cannot
             make
             us
             a
             rich
             amends
             for
             .
             And
             I
             must
             not
             conceal
             my
             Opinion
             ,
             that
             a
             Christian
             disparages
             both
             himself
             and
             his
             profession
             ,
             if
             he
             complains
             ,
             that
             any
             loss
             can
             make
             him
             unhappy
             ,
             while
             he
             possesses
             the
             
             favour
             of
             God.
             Wherefore
             ,
             my
             dearest
             Irene
             ,
             (
             concludes
             She
             )
             let
             your
             Friendship
             alleviate
             my
             Grief
             ,
             by
             shewing
             me
             how
             handsomly
             you
             bear
             
               your
               own
            
             ;
             and
             prefer
             ,
             I
             beseech
             you
             ,
             upon
             this
             sad
             occasion
             ,
             the
             Exercise
             of
             the
             more
             generous
             ,
             to
             That
             of
             the
             more
             tender
             ,
             Effects
             of
             Kindness
             .
          
           
             Alas
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             says
             the
             distress'd
             Irene
             ,
             all
             the
             fine
             things
             you
             say
             to
             comfort
             me
             ,
             produce
             in
             me
             ,
             an
             Effect
             quite
             contrary
             to
             that
             you
             design
             by
             them
             ;
             since
             they
             do
             but
             the
             more
             discover
             the
             Excellency
             and
             Kindness
             of
             the
             incomparable
             Person
             I
             am
             going
             to
             be
             depriv'd
             of
             ;
             after
             whose
             company
             ,
             I
             shall
             find
             that
             of
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             too
             insipid
             ,
             so
             much
             as
             to
             divert
             me
             :
             and
             therefore
             ,
             if
             you
             will
             not
             grant
             me
             the
             Blessing
             of
             Living
             with
             you
             ,
             at
             least
             do
             not
             deny
             me
             the
             satisfaction
             of
             Dying
             with
             you
             .
             For
             ,
             though
             Martyrdom
             be
             very
             formidable
             to
             a
             frail
             Woman
             ,
             yet
             
             Heaven
             is
             more
             desirable
             to
             a
             Christian
             ;
             and
             I
             shall
             not
             fear
             to
             take
             a
             Scaffold
             or
             a
             Stake
             in
             my
             way
             ,
             when
             I
             travel
             to
             such
             a
             Place
             ,
             as
             That
             ,
             in
             such
             Company
             as
             yours
             .
          
           
             You
             know
             ,
             (
             replies
             Theodora
             )
             as
             well
             I
             ,
             that
             our
             Religion
             commands
             us
             to
             suffer
             Martyrdom
             ,
             when
             we
             are
             oblig'd
             to
             do
             it
             ;
             but
             forbidsus
             to
             thrust
             ourselves
             unnecessarily
             upon
             so
             fatal
             and
             difficult
             a
             work
             :
             The
             Apostles
             themselves
             ,
             whose
             peculiar
             Office
             it
             was
             ,
             to
             be
             the
             Heralds
             and
             Champions
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             were
             commanded
             ,
             when
             they
             were
             persecuted
             in
             one
             City
             ,
             to
             fly
             into
             another
             ;
             and
             accordingly
             one
             of
             the
             most
             couragious
             of
             them
             ,
             to
             avoid
             needless
             and
             unseasonable
             dangers
             ,
             
             fled
             to
             Jerusalem
             from
             Damascus
             ;
             though
             to
             do
             so
             ,
             He
             was
             fain
             to
             be
             let
             down
             from
             the
             wall
             of
             this
             Place
             in
             a
             Basket.
             And
             't
             is
             but
             reasonable
             ,
             we
             should
             not
             ,
             without
             a
             manifest
             Call
             of
             Providence
             ,
             
             venture
             upon
             a
             Conflict
             ,
             in
             which
             we
             do
             so
             much
             depend
             upon
             extraordinary
             Assistances
             for
             the
             Victory
             ,
             that
             the
             same
             bold
             Disciple
             ,
             that
             so
             confidently
             promis'd
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             that
             He
             would
             die
             for
             Him
             ,
             was
             in
             an
             hour
             or
             two
             ,
             the
             first
             that
             renounc'd
             him
             .
             An
             inspir'd
             Teacher
             ,
             who
             was
             ambitious
             to
             be
             ,
             as
             He
             afterwards
             prov'd
             ,
             a
             Martyr
             ,
             reckons
             it
             to
             be
             the
             Gift
             of
             God
             ,
             not
             only
             to
             Believe
             in
             Christ
             ,
             but
             to
             Suffer
             for
             that
             Belief
             .
             If
             (
             continues
             She
             )
             our
             Conditions
             were
             exchang'd
             ,
             and
             Irene
             ,
             instead
             of
             me
             ,
             were
             by
             Divine
             Providence
             singl'd
             out
             for
             Martyrdom
             ;
             I
             should
             not
             envy
             Her
             the
             Glory
             ,
             of
             letting
             many
             of
             both
             Religions
             see
             ,
             that
             Christianity
             can
             elevate
             the
             Courage
             of
             a
             Woman
             ,
             to
             a
             degree
             that
             they
             think
             appropriated
             to
             Men.
             I
             would
             employ
             my
             Prayers
             rather
             to
             obtain
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             a
             divine
             Support
             of
             Her
             Resolution
             ,
             than
             an
             inglorious
             Change
             of
             It.
             And
             imitating
             that
             
             well
             natur'd
             Israelite
             ,
             who
             ,
             not
             only
             willingly
             but
             gladly
             ,
             parted
             with
             his
             dear
             Ester
             ,
             when
             She
             went
             from
             Him
             to
             a
             Throne
             ;
             I
             should
             be
             more
             satisfied
             with
             Irene's
             Advancement
             ,
             than
             with
             Her
             Company
             :
             And
             if
             I
             did
             not
             prefer
             Her
             Happiness
             to
             my
             Own
             ,
             it
             would
             be
             ,
             because
             indeed
             I
             should
             look
             upon
             them
             so
             united
             ,
             that
             I
             should
             find
             Mine
             in
             Hers.
             Let
             me
             then
             (
             says
             Theodora
             )
             conjure
             you
             ,
             by
             all
             Our
             past
             and
             future
             Friendship
             ,
             rather
             to
             congratulate
             ,
             than
             lament
             ,
             the
             Remove
             I
             am
             going
             to
             make
             .
             And
             be
             not
             troubled
             ,
             that
             One
             whom
             you
             have
             been
             pleas'd
             so
             much
             to
             Love
             ,
             is
             call'd
             to
             be
             early
             happy
             .
             In
             such
             hazardous
             times
             as
             these
             ,
             you
             know
             not
             how
             soon
             a
             Persecutor's
             Sword
             may
             send
             you
             after
             Her.
             And
             at
             most
             ,
             this
             Mortal
             Life
             is
             too
             short
             ,
             to
             let
             our
             Separation
             be
             very
             long
             .
             And
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             ,
             the
             comfortable
             Expectation
             of
             an
             unchangeable
             state
             ,
             of
             whose
             Blessedness
             the
             renewed
             Fruition
             
             of
             each
             other
             ,
             will
             make
             a
             Part
             ,
             and
             not
             the
             greatest
             neither
             ;
             may
             Console
             you
             for
             the
             absence
             of
             a
             Person
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             interim
             will
             be
             happy
             enough
             to
             wish
             You
             where
             She
             is
             ,
             upon
             much
             juster
             grounds
             than
             you
             can
             wish
             Her
             where
             She
             was
             .
             Let
             it
             then
             (
             concludes
             Theodora
             ,
             with
             weeping
             eyes
             ,
             )
             be
             a
             sufficient
             proof
             of
             my
             Esteem
             and
             Love
             of
             Irene
             ,
             that
             I
             part
             from
             Her
             with
             Tears
             ,
             when
             I
             am
             going
             to
             a
             Place
             ,
             where
             the
             Divine
             Oracles
             assure
             us
             ,
             
             that
             
               all
               Tears
               shall
               be
               wip'd
               from
               our
               Eyes
               ,
            
             and
             be
             succeeded
             by
             a
             
               Fulness
               of
               Joy
            
             ,
             
             that
             shall
             last
             for
             evermore
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             VI.
             
          
           
             THough
             these
             Reasonings
             were
             such
             ,
             as
             Irene
             knew
             not
             well
             how
             to
             answer
             ,
             yet
             ,
             being
             uncapable
             of
             acquiescing
             in
             any
             Discourse
             ,
             that
             inferr'd
             it
             to
             be
             her
             duty
             ;
             to
             part
             with
             Theodora
             ;
             she
             resolv'd
             to
             try
             ,
             whether
             the
             perswasions
             of
             the
             company
             ,
             (
             which
             she
             knew
             ,
             would
             be
             very
             forward
             to
             assist
             her
             )
             would
             not
             be
             more
             prevalent
             ,
             than
             hers
             had
             been
             :
             And
             that
             seem'd
             an
             accident
             very
             .
             friendly
             to
             her
             design
             ,
             that
             just
             then
             happen'd
             ,
             by
             the
             arrival
             of
             an
             intelligent
             Gentleman
             ,
             whom
             she
             had
             a
             while
             before
             employ'd
             to
             learn
             News
             of
             her
             Friend
             ;
             and
             who
             ,
             on
             that
             score
             ,
             had
             been
             a
             curious
             and
             heedful
             Spectator
             ,
             of
             all
             that
             had
             pass'd
             ,
             at
             the
             presidents
             ,
             in
             relation
             to
             Didymus
             ,
             and
             was
             
             come
             to
             bring
             Irene
             an
             account
             of
             it
             .
             To
             hear
             this
             ,
             she
             and
             her
             sorrowful
             Friend
             were
             desir'd
             to
             rejoin
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             company
             :
             To
             which
             ,
             the
             high
             and
             just
             esteem
             they
             all
             had
             of
             so
             brave
             a
             Gentleman
             ,
             as
             Didymus
             ,
             gave
             an
             impatient
             desire
             to
             be
             inform'd
             of
             his
             Adventures
             .
             To
             satisfie
             this
             Curiosity
             ,
             the
             Gentleman
             that
             was
             to
             do
             it
             ,
             did
             ,
             after
             a
             short
             pause
             ,
             make
             them
             the
             following
             Narrative
             .
          
           
             I
             suppose
             this
             company
             needs
             not
             be
             informed
             by
             me
             ,
             of
             what
             happen'd
             to
             the
             generous
             Didymus
             ,
             between
             the
             time
             ,
             that
             the
             excellent
             Theodora
             was
             condemn'd
             to
             an
             infamous
             place
             ,
             and
             that
             wherein
             he
             had
             the
             happiness
             ,
             of
             helping
             her
             to
             make
             an
             escape
             out
             of
             it
             .
             And
             therefore
             without
             wasting
             any
             of
             that
             little
             time
             ,
             whereof
             ,
             I
             fear
             ,
             we
             may
             have
             but
             too
             great
             need
             ,
             I
             shall
             proceed
             to
             inform
             you
             ,
             that
             when
             this
             astonishment
             ,
             occasion'd
             by
             this
             Surprize
             ,
             of
             finding
             a
             Young
             man
             
             in
             the
             escap'd
             Virgins
             Room
             ,
             was
             a
             little
             over
             ,
             and
             they
             had
             cloath'd
             Didymus
             in
             a
             habit
             more
             decent
             ,
             to
             appear
             in
             ,
             before
             a
             publick
             Assembly
             ;
             they
             led
             him
             away
             to
             the
             Judge
             :
             to
             whom
             some
             of
             them
             related
             ,
             maliciously
             enough
             ,
             what
             had
             pass'd
             earnestly
             begging
             Justice
             of
             him
             ,
             against
             a
             Person
             ,
             who
             (
             they
             said
             )
             could
             not
             but
             be
             a
             Christian
             ;
             and
             who
             was
             not
             content
             ,
             to
             be
             himself
             an
             Offender
             against
             the
             Laws
             ,
             but
             had
             dared
             to
             rescue
             another
             Offender
             ,
             from
             the
             Punishment
             to
             which
             they
             had
             doom'd
             her
             .
          
           
             Against
             this
             Charge
             ,
             the
             undaunted
             Didymus
             being
             ask'd
             ,
             what
             Defence
             he
             had
             to
             make
             ,
             addressing
             himself
             to
             the
             Judge
             ,
             made
             this
             resolute
             answer
             .
             I
             stand
             accus'd
             of
             a
             twofold
             Crime
             ,
             of
             being
             a
             Christian
             ,
             and
             of
             
             Theodora's
             Rescue
             :
             And
             though
             I
             cannot
             so
             soon
             have
             forgot
             ,
             how
             heinous
             my
             Accusers
             have
             endeavour'd
             to
             make
             them
             appear
             ,
             yet
             ,
             instead
             of
             denying
             either
             
             of
             them
             ,
             I
             shall
             own
             ,
             that
             I
             glory
             in
             both
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             Christianity
             ,
             in
             an
             Age
             ,
             wherin
             it
             is
             so
             cruelly
             Persecuted
             ,
             I
             would
             not
             have
             embraced
             the
             profession
             of
             it
             ,
             but
             that
             I
             was
             resolv'd
             ,
             if
             there
             were
             occasion
             ,
             to
             suffer
             for
             it
             .
             And
             therefore
             I
             shall
             neither
             deny
             what
             they
             call
             a
             Crime
             ,
             nor
             make
             an
             Apology
             for
             it
             ,
             nor
             deprecate
             any
             Infliction
             ,
             (
             for
             so
             I
             call
             it
             ,
             rather
             than
             Punishment
             ,
             which
             still
             supposes
             a
             fault
             )
             whereto
             it
             can
             expose
             me
             .
             Nor
             could
             I
             ,
             without
             being
             wanting
             to
             the
             duty
             of
             Humanity
             ,
             refuse
             my
             assistance
             ,
             to
             preserve
             the
             purity
             of
             so
             noble
             a
             Shrine
             of
             Chastity
             ,
             as
             the
             Savage
             designers
             of
             a
             Rape
             on
             Theodora
             ,
             were
             going
             barbarously
             to
             violate
             .
             And
             the
             inward
             satisfaction
             of
             having
             done
             what
             became
             me
             on
             such
             occasions
             ,
             will
             support
             me
             under
             any
             Sufferings
             ,
             that
             shall
             be
             drawn
             upon
             me
             ,
             but
             by
             my
             Loyalty
             to
             persecuted
             Truth
             ,
             and
             my
             compassion
             of
             distress'd
             Vertue
             .
          
           
           
             The
             experience
             I
             have
             had
             ,
             (
             answers
             the
             President
             )
             of
             the
             effects
             of
             those
             desperate
             Errours
             ,
             you
             miscall
             Religion
             ,
             makes
             me
             inclinable
             enough
             ,
             to
             think
             ,
             that
             you
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             many
             others
             of
             your
             wild
             Sect
             ,
             have
             both
             Madness
             and
             Impiety
             enough
             ,
             to
             put
             off
             the
             Apprehensions
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             other
             common
             sentiments
             ,
             of
             Human
             Nature
             ,
             and
             fear
             Death
             ,
             as
             little
             as
             you
             do
             the
             Gods.
             But
             since
             you
             pretend
             to
             be
             more
             vertuous
             Men
             ,
             and
             obedient
             Subjects
             ,
             than
             others
             ;
             pray
             tell
             me
             ,
             what
             you
             can
             say
             ,
             for
             your
             rescuing
             a
             Malefactor
             ,
             out
             of
             the
             hands
             of
             those
             Ministers
             of
             Justice
             ,
             that
             were
             going
             to
             Execute
             the
             sentence
             of
             Condemnation
             upon
             her
             .
          
           
             If
             ,
             (
             replies
             Didymus
             )
             the
             Sentence
             you
             speak
             of
             ,
             had
             doom'd
             her
             but
             to
             Death
             ;
             though
             I
             should
             most
             gladly
             have
             suffer'd
             it
             in
             her
             stead
             ,
             yet
             I
             had
             deplor'd
             your
             Cruelty
             ,
             without
             attempting
             to
             defeat
             it
             .
             But
             I
             confess
             ,
             I
             could
             not
             without
             
             Indignation
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Grief
             ,
             see
             such
             a
             person
             as
             Theodora
             ,
             who
             for
             her
             Beauty
             ,
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             other
             Perfections
             ,
             is
             justly
             admir'd
             by
             all
             that
             know
             her
             ,
             and
             look'd
             upon
             as
             the
             honour
             of
             her
             Sex
             ;
             most
             injuriously
             condemn'd
             to
             so
             infamous
             and
             barbarous
             an
             usage
             ,
             as
             were
             unfit
             for
             the
             meanest
             and
             despicablest
             of
             Creatures
             ,
             that
             belong
             to
             the
             Sex
             ,
             (
             whereof
             she
             is
             the
             Ornament
             .
             )
             And
             considering
             with
             my self
             ,
             that
             Chastity
             in
             Women
             ,
             and
             especially
             in
             Virgins
             ,
             is
             so
             much
             a
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             their
             right
             to
             preserve
             it
             ,
             so
             confes'dly
             inhaerent
             ,
             that
             all
             Nations
             agree
             ,
             in
             ascribing
             to
             them
             a
             right
             to
             defend
             it
             ,
             without
             reserve
             ,
             against
             whosoever
             attempts
             to
             deprive
             them
             of
             it
             ;
             I
             concluded
             ,
             that
             to
             help
             a
             distressed
             Virgin
             to
             preserve
             so
             acknowledg'd
             a
             right
             ,
             was
             to
             defeat
             Ravishers
             ,
             rather
             than
             to
             oppose
             Magistrates
             ,
             and
             not
             commit
             a
             Crime
             ,
             but
             hinder
             the
             accomplishing
             of
             one
             .
             Nor
             could
             I
             think
             ,
             that
             't
             was
             against
             the
             Roman
             Judges
             I
             
             acted
             when
             I
             oppos'd
             Persons
             ,
             whom
             their
             Savage
             design
             made
             me
             look
             upon
             as
             the
             worst
             sort
             of
             Barbarians
             .
             And
             I
             did
             not
             doubt
             Sir
             ,
             (
             continues
             Didymus
             )
             that
             in
             your
             own
             Breast
             ,
             when
             calmer
             thoughts
             shall
             come
             there
             ,
             to
             succeed
             those
             that
             lately
             possess'd
             it
             ,
             I
             shall
             be
             absolv'd
             from
             an
             action
             ,
             which
             kept
             you
             from
             dishonouring
             your self
             as
             much
             ,
             as
             the
             execution
             of
             your
             Sentence
             would
             have
             defil'd
             Theodora
             ;
             and
             kept
             you
             innocent
             as
             to
             Act
             ,
             from
             what
             would
             have
             made
             you
             Enemies
             for
             ever
             ,
             not
             only
             of
             the
             fairest
             half
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             but
             of
             all
             those
             of
             our
             Sex
             ,
             that
             retain
             any
             Sparks
             either
             of
             Vertue
             ,
             or
             good
             Nature
             .
          
           
             If
             Theodora
             ,
             (
             replies
             the
             President
             )
             were
             not
             a
             Beauty
             ,
             and
             one
             of
             your
             obstinate
             Sect
             ,
             I
             doubt
             you
             would
             never
             ,
             for
             her
             sake
             ,
             have
             adventur'd
             upon
             so
             desperate
             an
             Attempt
             ,
             as
             makes
             you
             ,
             not
             more
             Disobedient
             ,
             than
             Obnoxious
             ,
             to
             the
             Law.
             
          
           
           
             I
             see
             not
             ,
             Sir
             ,
             (
             rejoins
             Didmuys
             )
             why
             it
             should
             be
             a
             disparagement
             to
             
             Theodora's
             Beauty
             ,
             or
             to
             the
             impressions
             I
             have
             receiv'd
             of
             it
             ,
             that
             all
             that
             it
             has
             engaged
             me
             to
             do
             ,
             has
             been
             ,
             with
             the
             utmost
             hazard
             of
             my
             Life
             ,
             To
             rescue
             her
             Purity
             ,
             and
             deny
             my self
             ,
             in
             the
             first
             place
             ,
             the
             advantages
             I
             endeavour'd
             to
             deprive
             others
             of
             .
             But
             the
             Charms
             of
             her
             Mind
             ,
             needed
             not
             those
             of
             her
             Face
             ,
             to
             make
             me
             attempt
             to
             preserve
             her
             .
             I
             have
             often
             in
             Camps
             contended
             ,
             not
             without
             hazard
             enough
             ,
             with
             my
             victorious
             fellow-Soldiers
             ,
             to
             keep
             them
             from
             violating
             the
             Chastity
             of
             Captives
             ,
             who
             had
             neither
             Beauty
             to
             Captivate
             others
             ,
             nor
             any
             thing
             else
             to
             engage
             me
             in
             their
             Quarrel
             ,
             except
             their
             being
             innocent
             and
             distressed
             Women
             .
             But
             Theodora
             ;
             setting
             her
             Beauty
             and
             Birth
             aside
             ,
             has
             been
             so
             eminent
             ,
             for
             all
             the
             good
             Qualities
             and
             Excellencies
             that
             can
             accomplish
             a
             Person
             of
             her
             Sex
             ,
             and
             especially
             ,
             for
             her
             Chastity
             ,
             that
             
             my
             Heart
             would
             have
             reproach'd
             mefor
             ,
             not
             prizing
             Vertue
             enough
             ,
             if
             I
             had
             declin'd
             so
             happy
             an
             Opportunity
             ,
             to
             express
             the
             veneration
             I
             paid
             so
             shining
             a
             one
             ,
             as
             Hers.
             But
             ,
             (
             pursues
             Didymus
             )
             I
             would
             not
             by
             what
             I
             have
             said
             ,
             be
             thought
             to
             deny
             ,
             that
             my
             Religion
             had
             a
             share
             in
             the
             attempt
             I
             made
             to
             serve
             a
             Person
             ,
             that
             did
             so
             much
             adorn
             it
             ,
             and
             was
             so
             loyal
             to
             it
             .
             The
             Christian
             Doctrine
             ,
             among
             many
             other
             excellent
             things
             ,
             that
             it
             prescribes
             to
             its
             embracers
             ,
             teaches
             them
             ,
             that
             in
             some
             cases
             ,
             among
             which
             ours
             is
             compriz'd
             ,
             they
             
               Ought
               to
               lay
               down
               their
               Lives
               for
               one
               another
               .
            
             
             But
             Sir
             ,
             (
             concludes
             Didymus
             )
             you
             may
             be
             pleas'd
             to
             take
             notice
             ,
             that
             what
             I
             acted
             ,
             was
             according
             to
             the
             Rules
             of
             it
             too
             .
             For
             I
             did
             not
             oppose
             the
             Execution
             of
             your
             cruel
             Sentence
             ,
             by
             force
             ,
             but
             only
             prevented
             it
             by
             an
             innocent
             Stratagem
             ,
             whereby
             my
             ends
             were
             obtain'd
             without
             Bloodshed
             or
             Violence
             ;
             no
             Mans
             
             Life
             having
             been
             so
             much
             as
             endanger'd
             ,
             except
             my
             own
             ;
             which
             I
             never
             thought
             my self
             bound
             to
             preserve
             from
             any
             Danger
             ,
             that
             Piety
             or
             Humanity
             summon'd
             me
             to
             undertake
             .
          
           
             Though
             the
             President
             could
             not
             but
             be
             sensible
             ,
             that
             Didymus
             had
             said
             more
             for
             himself
             ,
             than
             was
             expected
             ;
             yet
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             not
             be
             thought
             to
             be
             satisfied
             with
             the
             Defence
             of
             a
             Person
             ,
             whom
             he
             meant
             to
             condemn
             ,
             he
             told
             him
             ;
             I
             do
             not
             think
             it
             strange
             ,
             that
             those
             who
             dare
             call
             the
             very
             Worship
             of
             the
             Gods
             ,
             Superstition
             and
             Idolatry
             ,
             and
             and
             that
             which
             all
             Men
             but
             your selves
             call
             Impiety
             ,
             Religion
             ,
             should
             stile
             Rebellion
             against
             the
             
               Magistrate
               ;
               Loyalty
            
             to
             the
             Truth
             .
             But
             how
             industriously
             soever
             you
             strive
             ,
             not
             only
             to
             cloak
             a
             Criminal
             action
             ,
             but
             transform
             it
             into
             a
             Vertuous
             one
             ;
             I
             can
             easily
             ,
             through
             all
             its
             disguises
             ,
             percieve
             the
             disobedience
             and
             refractoriness
             to
             Civil
             Government
             ,
             
             that
             is
             so
             contagious
             ,
             and
             so
             spred
             among
             the
             embracers
             of
             your
             Sect
             ;
             that
             Princes
             have
             no
             other
             way
             ,
             but
             your
             Ruine
             ,
             to
             secure
             their
             own
             Safety
             ,
             which
             would
             be
             quickly
             endanger'd
             ,
             if
             your
             power
             and
             numbers
             were
             half
             as
             great
             ,
             as
             the
             disloyalty
             of
             your
             Principles
             and
             Practices
             .
          
           
             To
             be
             a
             Sufferer
             for
             my
             Religion
             ,
             (
             answers
             Didymus
             )
             is
             that
             ,
             which
             I
             shall
             not
             so
             properly
             submit
             to
             ,
             with
             Resignation
             ,
             as
             Embrace
             ,
             with
             with
             Joy.
             But
             to
             find
             my
             Religion
             a
             sufferer
             with
             me
             ,
             if
             not
             for
             me
             ;
             and
             to
             see
             Christianity
             made
             a
             State
             Crime
             ,
             while
             it
             severely
             prohibits
             and
             condemns
             all
             Crimes
             ,
             and
             none
             more
             expresly
             ,
             than
             disobedience
             to
             the
             just
             commands
             of
             Magistrates
             ;
             is
             that
             ,
             which
             ,
             I
             confess
             ,
             do's
             not
             a
             little
             trouble
             me
             .
             And
             therefore
             ,
             Sir
             ,
             I
             hope
             you
             will
             allow
             a
             Person
             ,
             that
             is
             much
             more
             concerned
             to
             keep
             his
             Religion
             than
             himself
             ,
             from
             being
             endanger'd
             by
             this
             
             Accusation
             ;
             to
             give
             you
             a
             righter
             apprehension
             ,
             than
             our
             Calumniators
             have
             done
             ,
             of
             the
             innocentest
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             truest
             ,
             Religion
             in
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             Though
             for
             my
             part
             ,
             (
             continues
             Didymus
             )
             I
             think
             ,
             that
             the
             liberty
             of
             serving
             God
             ,
             by
             such
             ways
             as
             are
             not
             repugnant
             to
             the
             Light
             ,
             or
             Laws
             of
             Nature
             ,
             or
             the
             welfare
             of
             civil
             Society's
             ,
             is
             the
             common
             right
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             and
             cannot
             be
             denied
             Man
             ,
             without
             Injustice
             ;
             yet
             I
             do
             not
             now
             plead
             for
             it
             :
             and
             you
             are
             more
             concern'd
             to
             look
             to
             that
             ,
             than
             I.
             For
             if
             you
             make
             me
             suffer
             ,
             for
             the
             innocent
             use
             of
             that
             Right
             ,
             which
             God
             and
             Nature
             have
             granted
             unto
             all
             men
             ;
             I
             shall
             but
             undergo
             a
             Transient
             Punishment
             ,
             but
             you
             will
             expose
             your self
             ,
             to
             an
             Eternal
             ,
             and
             (
             which
             is
             worse
             )
             to
             a
             deserved
             one
             .
             No
             Persons
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             can
             pay
             more
             Obedience
             to
             the
             Laws
             of
             their
             Superiours
             ,
             than
             Christians
             do
             .
             We
             that
             can
             
             shed
             the
             Enemies
             Blood
             ,
             and
             hazard
             our
             own
             ,
             as
             freely
             ,
             and
             perhaps
             as
             succesfully
             ,
             as
             any
             Soldiers
             in
             your
             Armies
             ,
             suffer
             you
             to
             shed
             ours
             ,
             as
             tamely
             as
             any
             sheep
             you
             have
             in
             your
             folds
             .
             And
             sure
             ,
             we
             are
             very
             unhappy
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             you
             very
             incredulous
             ,
             that
             those
             Professions
             of
             Loyalty
             and
             Obedience
             ,
             that
             are
             not
             more
             visibly
             written
             in
             our
             Books
             ,
             than
             frequently
             sign'd
             with
             our
             Blood
             ,
             cannot
             gain
             Credit
             with
             you
             ;
             nor
             our
             death
             it self
             convince
             you
             ,
             when
             the
             wounds
             that
             we
             quietly
             suffer
             to
             pierce
             our
             Breasts
             ,
             would
             open
             you
             Windows
             into
             our
             hearts
             ,
             if
             some
             had
             not
             a
             greater
             mind
             to
             peirce
             them
             ,
             than
             to
             know
             them
             .
             But
             the
             same
             just
             care
             we
             have
             to
             obey
             Authority
             ,
             what
             rate
             soever
             the
             submissions
             cost
             us
             ,
             forbids
             us
             to
             do
             those
             things
             ,
             for
             the
             refusal
             whereof
             ,
             Authority
             condemns
             us
             .
             For
             God
             being
             ,
             as
             the
             only
             Creator
             ,
             so
             the
             Supreme
             Governor
             of
             man
             ,
             his
             Laws
             are
             those
             of
             the
             truest
             Supreme
             Authority
             :
             
             and
             Princes
             themselves
             being
             his
             Subjects
             ,
             and
             but
             his
             Lieutenants
             upon
             Earth
             ;
             to
             decline
             their
             commands
             ,
             when
             ever
             they
             prove
             repugnant
             unto
             his
             ,
             is
             not
             so
             much
             an
             Act
             of
             disobedience
             to
             the
             Subordinate
             power
             ,
             as
             of
             Loyalty
             to
             the
             supreme
             and
             universal
             Sovereign
             .
             And
             in
             such
             cases
             we
             are
             no
             more
             Rebels
             against
             the
             Emperor
             ,
             when
             we
             prefer
             the
             performance
             of
             Gods
             Laws
             ,
             to
             a
             compliance
             with
             His
             ,
             than
             we
             should
             be
             ,
             in
             case
             we
             should
             disobey
             the
             orders
             of
             the
             Governour
             of
             the
             Province
             we
             live
             in
             ,
             if
             they
             should
             prove
             repugnant
             to
             those
             of
             Augustus
             .
             And
             even
             in
             these
             cases
             ;
             if
             we
             cannot
             yeild
             an
             
               active
               obedience
            
             to
             the
             commands
             of
             the
             civil
             Sovereign
             ,
             we
             do
             not
             refuss
             him
             ,
             the
             utmost
             we
             can
             consent
             to
             ,
             which
             is
             
               passive
               obedience
            
             :
             and
             when
             our
             consciences
             permit
             us
             not
             to
             do
             ,
             those
             to
             us
             unlawful
             things
             ,
             that
             he
             commands
             ,
             they
             enjoin
             us
             to
             suffer
             unresistedly
             ,
             whatever
             penalty's
             he
             pleases
             to
             impose
             .
             And
             give
             me
             
             leave
             Sir
             ,
             to
             add
             ,
             (
             so
             Dydimus
             continues
             )
             that
             we
             are
             so
             far
             ,
             from
             making
             Religion
             a
             Cloak
             to
             the
             pursuit
             of
             present
             advantages
             ,
             that
             you
             daily
             see
             us
             renounce
             them
             all
             ,
             and
             our
             lives
             to
             boot
             ,
             to
             maintain
             our
             Loyalty
             to
             our
             Maker
             ,
             without
             hopes
             of
             being
             recompens'd
             ,
             but
             in
             another
             World
             ;
             and
             even
             there
             we
             cannot
             expect
             any
             ,
             but
             by
             the
             sentence
             of
             a
             Judge
             ,
             whom
             none
             can
             either
             bribe
             or
             deceive
             ,
             and
             who
             is
             more
             severe
             to
             crimes
             ,
             than
             any
             Persecutor
             on
             Earth
             can
             be
             ,
             to
             Innocents
             .
             I
             will
             not
             tell
             you
             ,
             pursues
             Dydimus
             ,
             that
             on
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             the
             assurance
             we
             have
             of
             the
             inestimable
             rewards
             laid
             up
             in
             heaven
             ,
             for
             Loyalty
             to
             God
             and
             his
             Truths
             ,
             and
             the
             internal
             applauses
             of
             a
             good
             conscience
             ,
             are
             things
             of
             so
             elevating
             and
             satisfying
             a
             nature
             ,
             that
             our
             Religion
             can
             make
             the
             hearts
             it
             possesses
             ,
             not
             only
             detest
             the
             Ambition
             of
             those
             Subjects
             ,
             that
             aspire
             to
             Earthly
             Crowns
             ,
             but
             perhaps
             ,
             pitty
             the
             condition
             of
             those
             Princes
             ,
             that
             
             possess
             them
             .
             But
             I
             dare
             ,
             Sir
             ,
             avow
             ,
             that
             the
             harmlesness
             of
             our
             Principles
             ,
             is
             not
             more
             legible
             in
             our
             Profession
             ,
             than
             in
             our
             Practices
             and
             Sufferings
             .
             For
             the
             multitude
             of
             Christians
             is
             so
             great
             ,
             that
             [
             in
             your
             Cities
             ,
             your
             Country
             ,
             
             your
             Courts
             of
             Justice
             ,
             your
             Camps
             ,
             and
             all
             places
             of
             Publick
             Resort
             ,
             except
             your
             Temples
             ,
             they
             are
             not
             only
             present
             ,
             but
             numerous
             ;
             ]
             and
             your
             Enemies
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             your
             Armies
             ,
             have
             been
             sufficiently
             convinc'd
             ,
             they
             know
             as
             well
             how
             to
             Kill
             ,
             as
             Dye
             ;
             so
             that
             't
             is
             only
             because
             we
             will
             not
             forfeit
             our
             Innocence
             ,
             by
             a
             forbidden
             way
             of
             defending
             it
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             expos'd
             to
             such
             cruel
             Sufferings
             for
             it
             .
             And
             I
             doubt
             not
             but
             equitable
             Estimators
             of
             things
             will
             conclude
             ,
             that
             our
             calmly
             submiting
             to
             such
             inhuman
             Usages
             ,
             sufficiently
             shews
             ,
             that
             we
             do
             not
             deserve
             them
             .
          
           
           
             The
             Judge
             ,
             discerning
             still
             more
             clearly
             ,
             that
             his
             discourses
             made
             much
             less
             impressions
             upon
             Didymus
             ,
             than
             those
             of
             Didymus
             did
             upon
             the
             Hearers
             ;
             resolv'd
             to
             break
             off
             this
             kind
             of
             Conversation
             ,
             and
             with
             a
             stern
             Countenance
             ,
             told
             the
             Prisoner
             ,
             that
             't
             was
             high
             time
             for
             him
             to
             remember
             ,
             that
             he
             was
             a
             Judge
             ,
             and
             not
             a
             Priest
             ;
             and
             that
             therefore
             ,
             though
             his
             compassion
             had
             hitherto
             invited
             him
             to
             employ
             Persuasions
             ,
             yet
             now
             their
             unsuccesfulness
             oblig'd
             him
             to
             declare
             positively
             ,
             that
             he
             was
             sure
             the
             gods
             ,
             that
             he
             and
             the
             world
             worshipp'd
             ,
             were
             the
             true
             ones
             ;
             and
             that
             if
             Didymus
             did
             not
             forthwith
             acknowledge
             them
             to
             be
             so
             ,
             by
             Sacrificing
             to
             them
             ,
             he
             should
             quickly
             feel
             their
             power
             ,
             by
             being
             put
             to
             a
             death
             ,
             his
             obstinacy
             made
             him
             both
             deserve
             ,
             and
             appear
             fond
             of
             .
          
           
             Didymus
             ,
             without
             seeming
             to
             be
             at
             all
             mov'd
             at
             this
             rough
             Language
             ,
             
             calmly
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             resolutely
             ,
             reply'd
             .
          
           
             Tho'
             Sir
             ,
             I
             am
             most
             ready
             ,
             whenever
             I
             am
             call'd
             to
             it
             ,
             to
             Suffer
             for
             my
             Religion
             ,
             yet
             I
             would
             not
             be
             thought
             to
             expose
             my self
             ,
             for
             an
             obstinate
             Denial
             ,
             to
             hear
             and
             consider
             ,
             what
             may
             be
             objected
             against
             it
             .
             We
             Christians
             ,
             whatever
             wilfulness
             may
             be
             misimputed
             to
             us
             ,
             are
             not
             so
             fond
             of
             Sufferings
             ,
             or
             of
             our
             own
             Conceits
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             be
             more
             willing
             to
             have
             them
             brought
             to
             the
             Bar
             ;
             than
             to
             be
             condemn'd
             there
             for
             them
             :
             And
             persecuted
             Opinions
             are
             things
             ,
             which
             ,
             as
             we
             do
             not
             renounce
             ,
             so
             we
             do
             not
             embrace
             ,
             for
             their
             being
             such
             .
             Nor
             are
             we
             so
             blind
             and
             wilful
             ,
             as
             to
             reject
             clear
             Arguments
             ,
             that
             would
             both
             instruct
             us
             and
             rescue
             us
             too
             ,
             if
             any
             such
             could
             be
             propos'd
             ,
             by
             the
             Embracers
             of
             your
             Religion
             .
          
           
             This
             I
             say
             ,
             Sir
             ,
             continues
             Didymus
             ,
             not
             to
             contradict
             what
             you
             
             were
             saying
             ,
             of
             your
             being
             not
             a
             Priest
             but
             a
             Judge
             ;
             but
             to
             clear
             Constancy
             from
             the
             imputation
             of
             Obstinacy
             ,
             and
             declare
             ,
             that
             if
             we
             could
             see
             Reasons
             on
             your
             side
             ,
             fitted
             to
             deliver
             us
             from
             Error
             ,
             and
             from
             death
             ,
             we
             would
             not
             be
             so
             mad
             ,
             or
             so
             perverse
             ,
             as
             to
             chuse
             rather
             to
             renounce
             Life
             ,
             than
             embrace
             Truth
             .
             But
             pardon
             me
             ,
             Sir
             ,
             (
             subjoyns
             he
             )
             if
             I
             think
             ,
             that
             ,
             though
             you
             are
             commission'd
             by
             the
             Supreme
             Power
             ,
             to
             be
             a
             Judge
             for
             Life
             and
             Death
             ,
             yet
             you
             are
             not
             constituted
             by
             the
             Supreme
             Verity
             ,
             a
             Judge
             of
             Truth
             and
             Falshood
             .
             And
             therefore
             ,
             I
             take
             your
             owning
             to
             worship
             many
             Gods
             ,
             who
             ,
             by
             their
             very
             being
             many
             Deities
             ,
             are
             sufficiently
             proved
             not
             tobe
             true
             ones
             ;
             for
             a
             Declaration
             of
             your
             Opinion
             ,
             not
             a
             Demonstration
             that
             it
             ought
             to
             be
             mine
             too
             .
             If
             you
             press
             us
             with
             Arguments
             ,
             we
             are
             ready
             to
             answer
             yours
             ,
             and
             offer
             you
             ours
             :
             But
             when
             instead
             of
             them
             ,
             you
             employ
             Threats
             ,
             we
             do
             not
             think
             it
             proper
             to
             argue
             
             against
             them
             ,
             but
             to
             despise
             them
             ;
             since
             't
             is
             not
             our
             Reason
             that
             they
             Assault
             ,
             but
             our
             Constancy
             .
             And
             therefore
             ,
             give
             me
             leave
             to
             tell
             you
             ,
             Sir
             ,
             concludes
             Didymus
             ,
             that
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             can
             so
             fortifie
             and
             elevate
             the
             Mind
             ,
             and
             place
             it
             so
             much
             above
             the
             reach
             of
             a
             Political
             Jurisdiction
             ,
             that
             I
             shall
             suffer
             your
             Sentence
             with
             far
             less
             trouble
             ,
             than
             you
             will
             soon
             or
             late
             feel
             ,
             at
             the
             remembrance
             of
             your
             having
             pronounc'd
             it
             ;
             and
             you
             will
             not
             find
             it
             in
             the
             power
             of
             all
             your
             executed
             threats
             ,
             to
             ruine
             either
             my
             Constancy
             ,
             or
             so
             much
             as
             my
             Joy.
             
          
           
             The
             Judge
             ,
             enrag'd
             ,
             to
             see
             his
             Power
             thus
             despis'd
             ,
             and
             as
             he
             interpreted
             it
             ,
             affronted
             ,
             by
             a
             Prisoner
             ;
             declar'd
             ,
             he
             would
             defer
             no
             longer
             than
             one
             hour
             (
             which
             space
             he
             allow'd
             him
             to
             repent
             his
             Errors
             in
             ,
             )
             to
             pronounce
             against
             him
             the
             fatal
             Sentence
             ,
             and
             commanded
             him
             to
             be
             immediately
             led
             to
             the
             place
             ,
             where
             't
             was
             to
             be
             executed
             ;
             
             towards
             which
             he
             himself
             intended
             to
             follow
             at
             some
             distance
             :
             Whether
             it
             were
             to
             feed
             his
             cruel
             Eyes
             with
             a
             Spectacle
             ,
             whose
             tragicalness
             his
             revenge
             would
             make
             acceptable
             to
             him
             ;
             or
             to
             prevent
             any
             Tumult
             or
             Disorders
             ,
             that
             the
             Courage
             of
             Didymus
             ,
             and
             the
             esteem
             and
             pity
             it
             had
             excited
             in
             the
             numerous
             by-standers
             ,
             might
             possibly
             occasion
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             VII
             .
          
           
             AS
             soon
             as
             the
             Gentleman
             ,
             that
             made
             the
             past
             Discourse
             ,
             had
             ended
             it
             ,
             the
             just
             Idea
             it
             form'd
             in
             the
             minds
             of
             the
             hearers
             ,
             and
             especially
             of
             the
             two
             Ladies
             ,
             of
             the
             singular
             Piety
             and
             heroick
             Courage
             of
             Didymus
             ,
             made
             such
             an
             impression
             on
             the
             grateful
             &
             compassionate
             Theodora
             ,
             as
             exceedingly
             heightned
             her
             resolution
             to
             rescue
             him
             ,
             if
             it
             were
             possible
             ,
             and
             hast'ned
             her
             to
             begin
             immediately
             to
             attempt
             it
             .
             In
             order
             to
             which
             ,
             having
             observ'd
             that
             the
             hearers
             listen'd
             so
             attentively
             to
             what
             the
             Relator
             said
             ,
             that
             they
             then
             minded
             nothing
             else
             ,
             she
             took
             that
             nick
             of
             time
             to
             withdraw
             herself
             silently
             ,
             into
             another
             room
             ;
             and
             by
             a
             pair
             of
             back
             stairs
             ,
             convey'd
             herself
             out
             of
             the
             house
             :
             
             Whence
             by
             indirect
             wayes
             ,
             (
             for
             fear
             of
             being
             overtaken
             in
             the
             shortest
             ,
             )
             she
             went
             with
             as
             much
             hast
             and
             gladness
             ,
             to
             an
             almost
             certain
             death
             ,
             as
             others
             are
             wont
             to
             shun
             and
             escape
             it
             with
             ;
             leaving
             Irene
             and
             her
             other
             friends
             ,
             no
             less
             amaz'd
             than
             troubl'd
             ,
             when
             sometime
             afterward
             ,
             they
             perceiv'd
             her
             missing
             ,
             and
             found
             all
             the
             diligence
             they
             employ'd
             to
             retrieve
             her
             ,
             fruitless
             .
             For
             ,
             Theodora
             ,
             fearing
             she
             could
             not
             long
             escape
             the
             diligence
             of
             her
             Pursuers
             ,
             unless
             she
             hasten'd
             to
             a
             place
             ,
             where
             she
             justly
             thought
             they
             would
             not
             follow
             her
             ;
             delay'd
             not
             to
             go
             directly
             towards
             the
             Company
             ,
             that
             she
             was
             told
             attended
             the
             President
             ,
             in
             the
             affairs
             that
             were
             transacting
             in
             his
             Court.
             Among
             these
             Attendants
             ,
             she
             had
             not
             staid
             long
             ,
             before
             she
             descry'd
             her
             brave
             Lover
             ,
             under
             a
             strict
             and
             rude
             Guard
             ;
             but
             with
             a
             look
             so
             manly
             ,
             and
             so
             serene
             ,
             as
             shew'd
             ,
             that
             he
             deserv'd
             another
             usage
             ;
             and
             was
             not
             in
             the
             least
             daunted
             nor
             discompos'd
             
             by
             that
             he
             met
             with
             .
             This
             moving
             Sight
             ,
             so
             affected
             the
             generous
             &
             compassionate
             Theodora
             ,
             that
             tho'
             in
             so
             publick
             place
             and
             manner
             ,
             she
             could
             with
             less
             reluctancy
             dye
             for
             Didymus
             ,
             than
             she
             could
             plead
             for
             him
             ;
             yet
             her
             gratitude
             surmounting
             her
             bashfulness
             ,
             after
             some
             conflict
             within
             herself
             ,
             she
             made
             towards
             the
             Tribunal
             ;
             to
             which
             she
             found
             a
             more
             easie
             passage
             than
             she
             expected
             .
             For
             ,
             the
             advantagiousness
             of
             her
             shape
             and
             stature
             ,
             and
             gracefulness
             of
             her
             motions
             ,
             easily
             produc'd
             for
             her
             ,
             such
             Sentiments
             ,
             in
             the
             admiring
             by-standers
             ,
             as
             made
             them
             with
             great
             respect
             ,
             give
             her
             way
             ,
             &
             let
             her
             ,
             without
             disturbance
             ,
             pass
             on
             to
             the
             Bar.
             She
             had
             but
             a
             very
             little
             while
             staid
             there
             ,
             before
             the
             President
             was
             mov'd
             ,
             by
             the
             concourse
             of
             those
             whom
             Curiosity
             and
             Wonder
             invited
             to
             gaze
             on
             the
             fair
             stranger
             ,
             to
             cast
             his
             eyes
             on
             Her
             ;
             and
             notwithstanding
             the
             unlikelihood
             ,
             that
             she
             should
             appear
             there
             ,
             without
             having
             been
             Forcibly
             
             brought
             thither
             ;
             as
             soon
             as
             ,
             out
             of
             respect
             to
             his
             Dignity
             ,
             she
             had
             lifted
             up
             her
             Veil
             ,
             he
             discern'd
             that
             it
             was
             she
             ,
             by
             a
             sort
             of
             Beauty
             so
             peculiar
             ,
             as
             was
             not
             easily
             either
             to
             be
             met
             with
             in
             others
             ,
             or
             to
             be
             forgotten
             by
             any
             that
             had
             ever
             seen
             it
             .
          
           
             But
             ,
             though
             the
             Judge
             were
             thus
             surpriz'd
             at
             her
             presence
             ,
             yet
             he
             little
             less
             admir'd
             her
             Courage
             ,
             than
             her
             Beauty
             ,
             when
             ,
             with
             a
             Face
             ,
             wherein
             the
             Blushes
             of
             her
             Cheeks
             ,
             and
             the
             Assuredness
             of
             her
             Looks
             ,
             equally
             discover'd
             her
             Modesty
             and
             her
             Fearlesness
             ,
             she
             told
             him
             :
             I
             know
             ,
             Sir
             ,
             that
             't
             is
             a
             very
             unusual
             thing
             ,
             for
             a
             Person
             of
             my
             Sex
             and
             Religion
             ,
             to
             come
             to
             this
             Place
             unsent
             for
             .
             But
             I
             hope
             you
             will
             be
             pleas'd
             to
             consider
             ,
             that
             ,
             as
             the
             Action
             is
             extraordinary
             ,
             the
             Occasion
             of
             it
             is
             so
             too
             .
             For
             both
             Justice
             ,
             the
             Virtue
             that
             you
             sit
             here
             to
             distribute
             ;
             and
             Gratititude
             ,
             founded
             upon
             the
             highest
             Obligations
             ,
             engage
             me
             to
             appear
             before
             you
             ,
             
             on
             the
             behalf
             of
             that
             brave
             Prisoner
             ,
             (
             at
             which
             words
             she
             pointed
             at
             
               Didymus
               ,
            
             )
             and
             present
             you
             the
             Object
             ,
             on
             which
             you
             may
             inflict
             with
             Legal
             Justice
             ,
             what
             you
             cannot
             make
             him
             suffer
             ,
             without
             being
             tax'd
             of
             Cruelty
             .
             For
             supposing
             a
             Debt
             to
             be
             due
             to
             the
             Law
             ,
             yet
             it
             would
             be
             more
             Severe
             than
             Just
             ,
             to
             prosecute
             the
             Security
             ,
             now
             the
             Principal
             offers
             to
             pay
             the
             Debt
             .
             He
             may
             well
             be
             look'd
             upon
             as
             my
             Hostage
             ,
             whom
             I
             now
             come
             to
             redeem
             :
             And
             't
             is
             not
             ,
             Sir
             ,
             your
             interest
             ,
             to
             decline
             the
             Exchange
             ,
             since
             by
             it
             you
             will
             preserve
             a
             Person
             ,
             whose
             Courage
             ,
             ingag'd
             by
             his
             Gratitude
             ,
             may
             do
             signal
             Service
             in
             the
             Roman
             Army
             .
             And
             since
             my
             Escape
             was
             all
             his
             Crime
             ,
             I
             beseech
             you
             ,
             let
             my
             surrender
             of
             my self
             ,
             obtain
             his
             absolution
             .
          
           
             Here
             Theodora
             paus'd
             a
             while
             ,
             partly
             to
             recover
             from
             the
             Disorder
             ,
             so
             unusual
             and
             difficult
             an
             Effort
             of
             her
             Modesty
             had
             put
             her
             into
             ;
             and
             
             partly
             ,
             to
             observe
             the
             Judges
             Countenance
             ,
             upon
             his
             hearing
             what
             she
             had
             said
             ,
             and
             to
             take
             measures
             thence
             in
             what
             she
             was
             further
             to
             speak
             .
             The
             President
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             continued
             silent
             ,
             whether
             the
             longer
             to
             hear
             the
             musick
             of
             her
             Voice
             ,
             or
             because
             so
             many
             Charms
             ,
             as
             Nature
             had
             crouded
             in
             her
             Face
             ,
             and
             so
             much
             sadness
             ,
             as
             her
             concern
             for
             her
             Lover
             had
             display'd
             in
             her
             Looks
             ,
             had
             somewhat
             mollify'd
             him
             ,
             as
             they
             might
             have
             done
             a
             Tiger
             .
             Whereupon
             the
             fair
             Suppliant
             ,
             hoping
             that
             his
             not
             interrupting
             her
             ,
             proceeded
             from
             some
             relenting
             Thoughts
             ,
             resumes
             her
             Discourse
             ,
             in
             these
             terms
             .
             But
             if
             ,
             Sir
             ,
             to
             procure
             the
             dismission
             of
             this
             Gentleman
             ,
             your
             Justice
             had
             need
             to
             be
             seconded
             by
             your
             Clemency
             ,
             perhaps
             you
             never
             had
             ,
             nor
             never
             will
             have
             ,
             an
             Object
             whose
             merit
             may
             so
             well
             warrant
             the
             fullest
             Exercise
             of
             it
             .
             For
             his
             Life
             ,
             ever
             since
             he
             bore
             Arms
             ,
             has
             been
             imploy'd
             in
             the
             Service
             of
             his
             Princes
             ,
             and
             
             fearlessly
             hazarded
             for
             their
             Greatness
             .
             And
             the
             Action
             for
             which
             he
             is
             now
             in
             trouble
             ,
             is
             so
             Heroick
             ,
             and
             so
             disinteressed
             an
             one
             of
             Courage
             and
             Compassion
             ,
             that
             in
             it
             he
             could
             scarce
             have
             any
             other
             motive
             ,
             than
             the
             Greatness
             of
             his
             Generosity
             ,
             nor
             other
             End
             ,
             than
             the
             Exercise
             of
             it
             .
             Nor
             need
             you
             fear
             ,
             that
             your
             Clemency
             on
             this
             occasion
             should
             introduce
             a
             bad
             Example
             ;
             for
             this
             of
             Didymus
             is
             never
             like
             to
             be
             imitated
             ,
             nor
             can
             be
             so
             ,
             but
             by
             Persons
             too
             virtuous
             to
             be
             Delinquents
             .
             And
             if
             such
             Actions
             be
             Criminal
             ,
             at
             least
             't
             is
             unlikely
             they
             will
             grow
             common
             Crimes
             .
             And
             here
             Theodora
             ,
             perceiving
             that
             the
             impatient
             Didymus
             (
             now
             come
             again
             to
             himself
             ,
             after
             the
             astonishing
             surprize
             this
             Adventure
             gave
             him
             )
             was
             upon
             the
             point
             to
             interrupt
             her
             ,
             she
             thus
             prevents
             him
             .
             And
             you
             ,
             brave
             Didymus
             ,
             forbear
             to
             oppose
             the
             accomplishment
             of
             my
             just
             Desires
             .
             The
             course
             that
             I
             now
             take
             ,
             is
             the
             
             only
             that
             I
             could
             take
             ,
             to
             evidence
             my
             Gratitude
             ,
             and
             to
             let
             you
             see
             ,
             that
             you
             have
             not
             exercis'd
             the
             noblest
             Acts
             of
             Generosity
             and
             Friendship
             ,
             towards
             a
             Person
             insensible
             of
             the
             Dictates
             of
             those
             Vertues
             .
             I
             could
             not
             (
             continues
             she
             )
             but
             be
             glad
             to
             be
             rescu'd
             from
             the
             Ignominy
             of
             a
             Rape
             ,
             but
             I
             did
             not
             intend
             to
             be
             robb'd
             of
             the
             Glory
             of
             Suffering
             for
             Christ
             ;
             which
             is
             also
             the
             only
             means
             left
             me
             to
             evince
             ,
             that
             I
             Declin'd
             Dishonor
             ,
             and
             not
             Death
             ,
             and
             never
             meant
             so
             much
             to
             disoblige
             the
             World
             ,
             as
             for
             the
             sake
             of
             an
             insignificant
             Maid
             ,
             to
             deprive
             it
             of
             one
             of
             the
             most
             generous
             of
             Men.
             You
             have
             left
             yourself
             but
             one
             way
             to
             encrease
             your
             past
             favours
             ,
             which
             is
             ,
             to
             allow
             me
             the
             only
             real
             Expression
             I
             can
             make
             of
             my
             sense
             of
             them
             ,
             &
             that
             in
             such
             a
             way
             ,
             as
             can
             ,
             at
             most
             ,
             but
             make
             some
             little
             Diminution
             of
             them
             ,
             without
             pretending
             to
             make
             a
             Retribution
             for
             them
             .
             If
             therefore
             (
             concludes
             she
             )
             you
             will
             compleat
             the
             
             Obligation
             you
             have
             laid
             on
             me
             ,
             by
             preserving
             to
             me
             the
             Coronet
             of
             Virginity
             ,
             you
             must
             not
             oppose
             my
             obtaining
             the
             Crown
             of
             Martyrdom
             .
          
           
             Didymus
             had
             need
             of
             all
             the
             Respect
             ,
             that
             he
             paid
             his
             admirable
             Mistress
             ,
             to
             keep
             him
             thus
             long
             ,
             from
             interrupting
             a
             Discourse
             ,
             that
             tended
             so
             little
             to
             his
             satisfaction
             ;
             and
             therefore
             she
             had
             no
             sooner
             put
             a
             period
             to
             it
             ,
             than
             (
             with
             a
             deep
             sigh
             )
             he
             told
             her
             ;
             Cease
             ,
             Theodora
             ,
             cease
             ,
             to
             plead
             for
             the
             continuance
             of
             Life
             ,
             that
             you
             are
             almost
             as
             cruel
             to
             me
             ,
             in
             thus
             endeavouring
             to
             preserve
             ,
             as
             you
             are
             ,
             in
             thus
             hazarding
             
               your
               own
            
             .
             And
             if
             I
             durst
             not
             hope
             for
             ,
             from
             the
             President
             ,
             more
             than
             I
             see
             I
             must
             on
             this
             occasion
             ,
             expect
             from
             You
             ;
             I
             should
             think
             my self
             as
             perfectly
             wretched
             ,
             as
             (
             whatever
             your
             Intentions
             be
             )
             your
             proceedings
             are
             unkind
             .
             But
             I
             am
             confident
             ,
             our
             unbyas'd
             Judge
             is
             too
             impartial
             ,
             not
             to
             discern
             in
             your
             Discourse
             ,
             that
             the
             excess
             of
             your
             
             Goodness
             ,
             has
             had
             the
             chief
             interest
             in
             the
             management
             of
             your
             Plea
             ;
             the
             case
             about
             which
             we
             differ
             ,
             being
             in
             itself
             so
             clear
             ,
             that
             alone
             to
             state
             it
             ,
             is
             sufficient
             to
             Plead
             it
             on
             my
             Behalf
             .
             For
             ,
             I
             entic'd
             you
             to
             escape
             out
             of
             Prison
             ,
             and
             then
             ,
             at
             my
             own
             peril
             ,
             facilitated
             to
             you
             the
             means
             of
             doing
             so
             :
             You
             leave
             me
             behind
             ,
             as
             a
             Pawn
             to
             the
             Laws
             ,
             and
             these
             finding
             me
             in
             your
             room
             ,
             make
             their
             great
             Minister
             ,
             before
             whose
             Tribunal
             we
             stand
             ,
             doom
             me
             ,
             for
             your
             Offence
             ,
             to
             the
             Death
             design'd
             for
             your
             Punishment
             :
             Which
             since
             I
             joyfully
             proffer
             my self
             to
             suffer
             for
             you
             ;
             or
             rather
             ,
             since
             you
             suffer
             it
             in
             me
             your
             Proxy
             ;
             the
             illustrious
             President
             is
             too
             well
             acquainted
             with
             his
             Office
             ,
             to
             need
             to
             be
             told
             ,
             that
             ,
             at
             least
             in
             Equity
             ,
             the
             
             Surety's
             Payment
             ,
             discharges
             the
             Principal
             from
             the
             Debt
             ;
             especially
             ,
             when
             he
             not
             only
             proffers
             the
             Payment
             ,
             but
             most
             earnestly
             desires
             the
             acceptance
             of
             It
             ,
             as
             a
             great
             advantage
             to
             him
             .
             I
             hope
             
             then
             ,
             Great
             Sir
             ,
             says
             he
             ,
             (
             turning
             himself
             to
             the
             President
             ,
             with
             additional
             Respect
             to
             that
             he
             had
             shew'd
             him
             before
             ,
             )
             that
             you
             will
             accept
             of
             my
             Life
             ,
             instead
             of
             hers
             ,
             who
             deserves
             a
             long
             and
             happy
             one
             ;
             and
             that
             ,
             when
             my
             Sentence
             of
             Condemnation
             shall
             be
             pronounc'd
             ,
             and
             gladly
             acquiesc'd
             in
             ,
             it
             may
             Free
             her
             ,
             I
             am
             Condemn'd
             for
             .
             The
             love
             of
             Self-preservation
             is
             so
             natural
             ,
             that
             it
             cannot
             be
             made
             Capital
             ,
             without
             affronting
             Nature
             ,
             and
             punishing
             as
             well
             what
             Men
             are
             ,
             as
             what
             they
             do
             :
             And
             the
             love
             of
             Purity
             and
             Honour
             does
             so
             much
             become
             a
             Chast
             Virgin
             ,
             that
             the
             natural
             consequences
             of
             it
             are
             too
             Commendable
             ,
             to
             be
             fit
             to
             be
             made
             Penal
             .
             'T
             is
             I
             ,
             who
             having
             despis'd
             Dangers
             that
             I
             might
             easily
             have
             avoided
             ,
             when
             't
             was
             Question
             to
             do
             an
             illegal
             thing
             ,
             do
             yet
             glory
             in
             the
             Crime
             ,
             that
             am
             the
             just
             and
             proper
             Object
             of
             the
             rigour
             of
             your
             Laws
             :
             And
             her
             Years
             are
             yet
             so
             tender
             ,
             and
             her
             Disposition
             so
             innocent
             ,
             
             that
             since
             ,
             if
             she
             have
             err'd
             ,
             it
             was
             by
             my
             persuasions
             ,
             if
             she
             be
             to
             be
             punish'd
             ,
             it
             should
             be
             in
             my
             person
             .
             All
             that
             she
             has
             since
             alledg'd
             to
             appropriate
             my
             guilt
             ,
             or
             involve
             herself
             in
             it
             ,
             will
             ,
             I
             hope
             ,
             by
             a
             Roman
             Magistrate
             be
             look'd
             on
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             indeed
             ,
             as
             an
             argument
             of
             her
             generosity
             ,
             and
             not
             of
             her
             crime
             .
             And
             the
             Romans
             are
             too
             much
             friends
             to
             gallantry
             ,
             to
             punish
             in
             a
             Lady
             ,
             that
             Vertue
             ,
             that
             they
             applaud
             and
             crown
             even
             in
             Soldiers
             .
          
           
             But
             now
             ,
             continues
             Diydmus
             ,
             I
             must
             address
             my self
             to
             you
             ,
             O
             Theodora
             :
             And
             must
             complain
             of
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             deplore
             ,
             my
             infelicity
             ;
             that
             after
             I
             had
             done
             and
             suffer'd
             ,
             all
             that
             I
             could
             ,
             though
             't
             was
             much
             less
             than
             I
             would
             ,
             For
             the
             preservation
             of
             so
             dear
             a
             Life
             as
             yours
             ;
             you
             come
             now
             to
             hazard
             it
             ,
             to
             make
             mine
             end
             with
             sorrow
             .
             But
             granting
             you
             should
             prevail
             ,
             in
             the
             no
             less
             unwelcom
             than
             generous
             Attempt
             ,
             you
             are
             pleas'd
             to
             make
             ;
             
             how
             cruel
             were
             you
             ,
             to
             envy
             me
             at
             once
             ,
             the
             two
             highest
             Honors
             ,
             that
             my
             Ambition
             aspir'd
             to
             ;
             the
             Glory
             of
             Martyrdom
             ,
             and
             that
             of
             Theodoras
             Rescue
             ?
             Had
             I
             as
             many
             lives
             ,
             as
             you
             have
             vertues
             ,
             I
             should
             esteem
             them
             all
             but
             a
             cheap
             ransom
             for
             a
             few
             hours
             of
             yours
             :
             So
             unlikely
             I
             am
             ,
             and
             ought
             to
             be
             ,
             to
             be
             either
             capable
             or
             desirous
             ,
             of
             being
             preserv'd
             by
             your
             suffering
             for
             my
             actions
             .
             And
             therefore
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             if
             you
             think
             my
             little
             Services
             deserve
             some
             recompence
             ;
             since
             my
             highest
             contentments
             on
             earth
             ,
             terminate
             in
             your
             happiness
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             other
             way
             left
             you
             to
             reward
             them
             ,
             but
             the
             care
             of
             your
             own
             preservation
             :
             It
             being
             the
             only
             return
             that
             I
             expect
             or
             desire
             of
             my
             Services
             ,
             that
             you
             will
             not
             ,
             by
             your
             inflexibleness
             ,
             finally
             make
             them
             fruitless
             ;
             but
             be
             content
             to
             live
             for
             his
             sake
             ,
             that
             will
             rejoyce
             to
             dye
             for
             yours
             .
          
           
             All
             the
             while
             this
             noble
             Dispute
             lasted
             ,
             the
             Judge
             was
             ,
             though
             not
             
             an
             unconcern'd
             ,
             yet
             a
             silent
             Hearer
             of
             it
             :
             The
             strange
             novelty
             of
             the
             contest
             ,
             and
             no
             less
             extraordinary
             generosity
             and
             gracefulness
             of
             the
             Contenders
             ,
             having
             given
             him
             an
             attention
             ,
             that
             kept
             him
             from
             interrupting
             them
             .
             But
             when
             their
             debate
             had
             proceeded
             thus
             far
             ;
             his
             stern
             nature
             ,
             whose
             actings
             had
             been
             but
             suspended
             by
             his
             curiosity
             ,
             prompted
             him
             to
             tell
             the
             generous
             Couple
             ;
             I
             know
             not
             what
             presumption
             makes
             you
             plead
             ,
             as
             if
             each
             of
             you
             were
             the
             others
             only
             Judge
             ,
             and
             had
             the
             Supreme
             Authority
             of
             condemning
             or
             absolving
             you
             ;
             and
             I
             were
             only
             an
             unconcern'd
             auditor
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             ,
             sate
             here
             to
             ratifie
             the
             Sentence
             you
             shall
             agree
             upon
             ,
             between
             your selves
             .
             But
             you
             will
             quickly
             find
             ,
             to
             your
             cost
             ,
             that
             the
             Roman
             Laws
             ,
             and
             Magistrates
             ,
             are
             not
             to
             be
             trifled
             with
             .
          
           
             Great
             Sir
             ,
             replies
             Didymus
             ,
             you
             much
             misapprehend
             our
             Conduct
             ,
             
             if
             you
             think
             your self
             slighted
             by
             it
             :
             For
             ,
             't
             was
             not
             want
             of
             respect
             to
             your
             Authority
             ,
             and
             Power
             ,
             that
             made
             us
             discourse
             as
             we
             did
             ;
             but
             a
             supposition
             ,
             not
             injurious
             to
             you
             ,
             that
             you
             would
             in
             the
             exercise
             of
             that
             Power
             ,
             manifest
             that
             you
             deserve
             it
             ,
             by
             tempering
             it
             with
             two
             excellent
             vertues
             ,
             that
             best
             become
             a
             Magistrate
             ,
             Equity
             and
             Clemency
             .
             This
             presumption
             ,
             Sir
             ,
             and
             not
             any
             disrespectful
             one
             ,
             was
             that
             upon
             which
             we
             proceeded
             in
             our
             discourse
             ;
             still
             taking
             it
             for
             granted
             ,
             that
             you
             would
             not
             punish
             two
             ,
             for
             that
             which
             was
             indeed
             ,
             but
             the
             fault
             of
             one
             ;
             and
             that
             if
             either
             of
             us
             were
             ,
             by
             the
             others
             consent
             ,
             to
             suffer
             ;
             your
             Equity
             ,
             or
             your
             Clemency
             ,
             would
             prevail
             with
             you
             ,
             to
             release
             the
             other
             .
          
           
             Though
             Didymus
             ,
             had
             worded
             what
             he
             said
             ,
             so
             cautiously
             ,
             that
             a
             discerning
             hearer
             might
             perceive
             ,
             that
             his
             expressions
             related
             to
             the
             Judges
             Dignity
             ,
             not
             his
             person
             ;
             
             yet
             that
             self-flattery
             ,
             which
             is
             but
             too
             common
             an
             attendant
             on
             Men
             in
             Power
             ,
             making
             the
             President
             take
             all
             these
             respectful
             words
             to
             himself
             ,
             made
             him
             allow
             Didymus
             ,
             without
             interruption
             ,
             to
             proceed
             in
             his
             discourse
             ,
             and
             say
             ;
             you
             will
             easily
             grant
             ,
             Sir
             ,
             that
             Goodness
             ,
             whereof
             Clemency
             is
             a
             noble
             part
             ,
             may
             bring
             a
             Magistrate
             ,
             who
             is
             Heavens
             Vice-gerent
             upon
             Earth
             ,
             as
             high
             a
             Veneration
             as
             Power
             or
             Greatness
             does
             ;
             if
             you
             please
             to
             consider
             ,
             that
             those
             of
             your
             Religion
             ,
             when
             they
             would
             with
             the
             most
             deference
             speak
             of
             God
             ,
             give
             the
             Title
             of
             
               Most
               Good
            
             the
             preference
             to
             that
             of
             
               Most
               Great
            
             ,
             styling
             him
             ,
             as
             the
             Christians
             likewise
             often
             do
             ,
             
               Deus
               Optimus
               maximus
            
             .
             Certainly
             ,
             Clemency
             is
             never
             more
             a
             vertue
             ,
             nor
             less
             grudg'd
             at
             by
             Justice
             ,
             than
             when
             't
             is
             exercis'd
             towards
             Vertuous
             Persons
             ,
             by
             rescuing
             them
             from
             the
             persecutions
             of
             Fortune
             ,
             and
             the
             unintended
             rigour
             of
             the
             Laws
             .
             I
             say
             
               unintended
               rigour
            
             ,
             sayes
             Didymus
             ,
             
             for
             I
             cannot
             think
             that
             the
             Roman
             Legislators
             ,
             that
             have
             honor'd
             injur'd
             Chastity
             so
             much
             in
             Lucretia
             ,
             and
             encourag'd
             Gallantry
             and
             other
             Vertues
             ,
             by
             no
             less
             than
             Crowns
             and
             Triumphs
             ;
             meant
             to
             make
             the
             productions
             of
             
               Chastity
               ,
               Constancy
            
             and
             Gratitude
             ,
             Criminal
             things
             .
             And
             ,
             tho'
             Christians
             dissent
             from
             others
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             yet
             those
             moral
             Vertues
             that
             were
             so
             esteem'd
             by
             the
             Romans
             ,
             do
             not
             lose
             their
             nature
             ,
             when
             practis'd
             by
             Christians
             :
             And
             those
             brave
             men
             ,
             whose
             love
             to
             Vertue
             made
             them
             Masters
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             did
             not
             scruple
             to
             honour
             it
             in
             their
             very
             Enemies
             ;
             and
             did
             it
             so
             much
             ,
             even
             in
             the
             most
             irreconcilable
             of
             them
             ,
             that
             more
             than
             one
             or
             two
             Statues
             of
             Hannibal
             were
             erected
             at
             Rome
             ;
             
             to
             which
             Triumphant
             City
             't
             is
             perhaps
             more
             glorious
             ,
             to
             have
             thus
             honor'd
             him
             ,
             than
             vanquish'd
             him
             .
             And
             sure
             they
             that
             thought
             Lucretias
             Chastity
             merited
             so
             many
             Statues
             ,
             
             would
             not
             think
             that
             Theodoras
             deserv'd
             a
             Stake
             or
             a
             Scaffold
             .
             This
             Ladies
             actions
             and
             mine
             ,
             are
             not
             so
             hainous
             ,
             but
             that
             in
             happier
             persons
             ,
             and
             milder
             times
             ,
             they
             have
             been
             look'd
             on
             under
             a
             notion
             very
             differing
             from
             that
             of
             criminal
             ones
             .
             But
             Sir
             ,
             continues
             Didymus
             ,
             addressing
             himself
             to
             the
             President
             ,
             in
             a
             very
             humble
             manner
             ,
             if
             there
             must
             needs
             be
             offer'd
             up
             some
             sacrifice
             to
             appease
             the
             angry
             Laws
             ,
             I
             beseech
             you
             to
             let
             their
             rigour
             be
             satisfied
             with
             my
             Blood
             ,
             and
             spare
             this
             harmless
             Lady
             ;
             to
             whom
             ,
             if
             your
             compassion
             be
             needful
             ,
             I
             hope
             you
             will
             not
             want
             it
             for
             an
             object
             ,
             whose
             Excellencies
             cannot
             only
             make
             it
             reasonable
             ,
             but
             meritorious
             .
             For
             it
             will
             preserve
             to
             Antioch
             its
             fairest
             Ornament
             ;
             and
             a
             Life
             so
             Exemplary
             ,
             that
             to
             give
             it
             an
             untimely
             period
             ,
             for
             actions
             ,
             which
             ,
             being
             laudable
             in
             their
             own
             nature
             ,
             nothing
             but
             a
             rigid
             interpretation
             of
             the
             Law
             can
             make
             criminal
             ,
             would
             be
             to
             make
             the
             Laws
             a
             terror
             ,
             rather
             to
             the
             good
             
             than
             to
             the
             wicked
             .
             It
             would
             be
             thought
             inhumane
             to
             treat
             her
             as
             a
             delinquent
             ,
             whom
             you
             may
             justly
             wish
             your
             daughters
             should
             resemble
             ;
             when
             by
             the
             Grant
             of
             what
             I
             implore
             ,
             you
             will
             be
             sure
             to
             receive
             both
             the
             thanks
             of
             her
             Sex
             ,
             and
             the
             applause
             of
             ours
             ,
             and
             what
             out
             values
             both
             ,
             the
             satisfaction
             of
             having
             sav'd
             and
             oblig'd
             one
             of
             the
             most
             admirable
             Persons
             in
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             Didymus
             now
             perceiving
             ,
             that
             the
             person
             he
             pleaded
             for
             ,
             was
             preparing
             herself
             to
             interrupt
             him
             ;
             readdress'd
             himself
             to
             her
             ,
             and
             told
             her
             ;
             do
             not
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             I
             beseech
             you
             ,
             require
             of
             my
             obsequiousness
             ,
             proofs
             inconsistent
             with
             my
             love
             ;
             and
             add
             not
             to
             my
             infelicity
             ,
             by
             putting
             me
             in
             so
             uneasie
             a
             condition
             ,
             as
             to
             find
             it
             my
             duty
             to
             oppose
             your
             desires
             :
             Ah!
             refuse
             not
             to
             oblige
             the
             world
             ,
             by
             preserving
             the
             most
             accomplish'd
             it
             can
             glory
             in
             :
             Deny
             me
             not
             the
             satisfaction
             ,
             whereof
             I
             am
             so
             ambitious
             ,
             of
             being
             the
             happy
             
             instrument
             of
             your
             deliverance
             ;
             and
             then
             I
             may
             say
             ,
             that
             I
             never
             could
             justly
             dye
             more
             seasonably
             than
             now
             ,
             when
             being
             at
             the
             height
             of
             all
             my
             joyes
             ,
             my
             longer
             life
             must
             of
             necessity
             give
             an
             ebb
             to
             my
             felicity
             ;
             since
             after
             the
             Glory
             of
             having
             sav'd
             Theodora
             ,
             I
             hope
             for
             no
             higher
             on
             Earth
             ,
             than
             that
             of
             dying
             for
             her
             .
             Then
             perceiving
             her
             ready
             to
             renew
             the
             Contest
             ,
             he
             told
             her
             (
             with
             a
             low
             voice
             ,
             that
             the
             Judge
             might
             not
             hear
             him
             ,
             and
             with
             a
             sadness
             in
             his
             looks
             ,
             which
             she
             ,
             that
             knew
             his
             Courage
             ,
             could
             impute
             to
             nothing
             but
             his
             almost
             boundless
             concern
             for
             her
             ;
             )
             Madam
             ,
             though
             the
             Presidents
             impatience
             did
             not
             call
             upon
             us
             to
             conclude
             our
             Contest
             ,
             yet
             my
             condition
             and
             resolution
             ought
             to
             put
             a
             hasty
             period
             to
             it
             :
             For
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             I
             must
             positively
             declare
             to
             you
             ,
             that
             it
             would
             be
             as
             bootless
             as
             cruel
             ,
             for
             you
             to
             think
             to
             protect
             my
             Life
             ,
             by
             the
             abandoning
             of
             your
             own
             :
             Since
             to
             
             owe
             a
             Life
             to
             that
             Cause
             ,
             would
             make
             it
             not
             only
             uneasie
             but
             insupportable
             to
             me
             ,
             and
             consequently
             uncapable
             of
             lasting
             .
             So
             that
             enjoyning
             me
             to
             survive
             you
             ,
             would
             condemn
             me
             to
             a
             Life
             ,
             which
             after
             the
             loss
             of
             yours
             ,
             must
             be
             spent
             ,
             if
             it
             could
             last
             ,
             in
             fruitless
             deploring
             that
             Loss
             .
             Forbear
             therefore
             ,
             concludes
             he
             ,
             I
             most
             earnestly
             beseech
             you
             Madam
             ,
             to
             exact
             such
             proofs
             of
             my
             Obedience
             ,
             that
             't
             is
             as
             little
             in
             my
             power
             to
             give
             you
             ,
             as
             it
             ought
             to
             be
             in
             your
             will
             to
             require
             them
             ;
             since
             for
             Didymus
             to
             survive
             Theodora
             ,
             is
             as
             great
             an
             impossibility
             ,
             as
             it
             would
             be
             an
             unhappiness
             .
             O
             admirable
             Contest
             !
             where
             the
             noble
             Antagonists
             did
             not
             strive
             for
             Victory
             ,
             but
             Death
             ;
             or
             endeavour'd
             to
             overcome
             each
             other
             ,
             that
             the
             Victor
             might
             perish
             for
             the
             Vanquish'd
             :
             Where
             Self-love
             ,
             the
             most
             radical
             affection
             of
             human
             Nature
             ,
             is
             sacrific'd
             to
             a
             Love
             ,
             equally
             chast
             and
             disinteress'd
             :
             And
             where
             Vertue
             
             makes
             each
             of
             the
             Contenders
             ,
             in
             geniously
             Solicitous
             to
             appear
             Criminal
             ,
             that
             the
             Antagonist
             may
             be
             treated
             as
             innocent
             .
             How
             well
             does
             this
             proceeding
             prove
             that
             inspir'd
             Sentence
             true
             ,
             that
             
               Love
               is
               Stronger
               than
               Death
            
             ,
             since
             in
             this
             Conflict
             ,
             the
             generous
             Friends
             ,
             are
             by
             the
             former
             ,
             made
             Rivals
             for
             the
             latter
             ?
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             VIII
             .
          
           
             THE
             afflicted
             Virgin
             ,
             to
             whom
             these
             moving
             things
             were
             said
             ,
             finding
             that
             she
             should
             but
             lose
             her
             diswasions
             on
             Didymus
             ,
             thought
             fit
             to
             address
             herself
             once
             more
             ,
             to
             the
             President
             ;
             and
             with
             humble
             Gestures
             ,
             accompany'd
             with
             Looks
             ,
             and
             with
             a
             Voice
             ,
             that
             would
             have
             soften'd
             any
             that
             were
             not
             invincibly
             Obdurate
             ,
             she
             told
             him
             ;
             Though
             Sir
             ,
             the
             Arguments
             us'd
             by
             this
             Gentleman
             ,
             had
             far
             better
             prov'd
             than
             they
             have
             ,
             that
             ,
             of
             us
             two
             ,
             he
             is
             the
             fittest
             person
             to
             be
             condemn'd
             ;
             yet
             I
             hope
             ,
             where
             you
             Preside
             with
             so
             much
             Authority
             ,
             he
             will
             not
             fare
             the
             worse
             for
             being
             generous
             ;
             and
             that
             what
             he
             has
             done
             ,
             will
             be
             more
             prevalent
             with
             you
             ,
             than
             what
             he
             has
             said
             .
             Ever
             
             since
             he
             was
             capable
             of
             bearing
             Arms
             ,
             he
             employ'd
             them
             in
             the
             service
             of
             the
             Emperors
             ;
             and
             in
             their
             Camps
             chearfully
             follow'd
             the
             Roman
             Eagles
             ,
             where-ever
             they
             durst
             fly
             :
             And
             after
             his
             having
             this
             day
             hazarded
             himself
             so
             generously
             ,
             out
             of
             compassion
             to
             a
             distress'd
             Virgin
             ;
             what
             examples
             of
             gallantry
             may
             not
             be
             expected
             from
             such
             a
             Courage
             ,
             engag'd
             by
             his
             Gratitude
             ,
             when
             he
             shall
             act
             for
             the
             acquest
             of
             Glory
             ,
             and
             the
             Service
             of
             his
             Country
             ?
             If
             a
             guilty
             intention
             be
             necessary
             to
             make
             an
             action
             so
             ,
             his
             will
             not
             be
             found
             to
             be
             Criminal
             ;
             since
             he
             did
             not
             intend
             the
             violation
             of
             any
             Law
             ,
             but
             to
             second
             ,
             what
             we
             are
             told
             to
             be
             ,
             the
             design
             of
             all
             just
             Laws
             ;
             which
             is
             ,
             to
             protect
             the
             Innocent
             ,
             and
             encourage
             Vertue
             .
             But
             if
             by
             a
             rigid
             interpretation
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             he
             may
             be
             brought
             within
             the
             reach
             of
             it
             ;
             I
             hope
             his
             Misdemeanor
             will
             not
             appear
             so
             great
             ,
             but
             that
             your
             Clemency
             may
             allow
             him
             all
             that
             I
             
             beg
             for
             him
             ,
             which
             is
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             be
             permitted
             to
             repair
             a
             mistake
             in
             the
             exercise
             of
             his
             vertue
             ,
             by
             the
             continuation
             of
             those
             Services
             in
             the
             Roman
             Army
             ,
             which
             will
             be
             far
             more
             useful
             to
             the
             publick
             than
             his
             death
             ,
             in
             his
             present
             circumstances
             ,
             can
             be
             .
             To
             this
             Theodora
             would
             perhaps
             have
             added
             ,
             (
             though
             she
             could
             scarce
             have
             done
             it
             ,
             without
             some
             reluctancy
             from
             her
             modesty
             )
             The
             things
             ,
             Sir
             ,
             that
             he
             has
             been
             pleas'd
             to
             act
             and
             hazard
             for
             me
             ,
             may
             persuade
             you
             ,
             that
             if
             ,
             contrary
             to
             my
             prayers
             and
             hopes
             ,
             you
             should
             design
             severity
             towards
             him
             ,
             you
             may
             more
             sensibly
             punish
             him
             ,
             by
             my
             death
             ,
             than
             by
             more
             immediate
             inflictions
             on
             himself
             .
             And
             't
             is
             like
             she
             would
             have
             enforc'd
             her
             arguments
             and
             intreaties
             ,
             for
             a
             Person
             for
             whom
             she
             was
             so
             much
             and
             so
             justly
             concern'd
             ,
             when
             the
             
               President
               ▪
            
             vex'd
             to
             find
             that
             both
             of
             them
             so
             little
             valu'd
             Life
             ,
             whose
             deprivation
             was
             the
             most
             formidable
             thing
             he
             could
             threaten
             them
             
             with
             ,
             prevented
             her
             ,
             by
             saying
             ,
             with
             a
             stern
             countenance
             ,
             No
             ,
             I
             will
             hear
             no
             more
             ,
             having
             heard
             but
             too
             much
             already
             :
             It
             does
             not
             become
             a
             Roman
             Magistrate
             ,
             to
             suffer
             any
             longer
             with
             patience
             ;
             that
             Prisoners
             and
             Criminals
             should
             daringly
             disobey
             the
             Laws
             ,
             slight
             all
             their
             threats
             ,
             and
             glory
             in
             their
             violation
             .
             What
             each
             of
             you
             has
             said
             to
             prove
             himself
             guilty
             ,
             affords
             abundant
             reason
             to
             condemn
             you
             both
             .
             Wherefore
             ,
             since
             you
             cannot
             agree
             among
             your selves
             ,
             I
             will
             be
             your
             Umpire
             ,
             and
             give
             both
             of
             you
             what
             each
             desires
             and
             merits
             .
             You
             ,
             Obstinate
             Maid
             ,
             sayes
             he
             ,
             turning
             to
             Theodora
             ,
             shall
             dye
             for
             having
             broken
             Prison
             .
             You
             Disobedient
             Soldier
             ,
             sayes
             he
             to
             Didymus
             ,
             shall
             dye
             for
             having
             perswaded
             and
             further'd
             her
             Escape
             .
             But
             to
             specifie
             your
             chiefest
             Crime
             ,
             than
             which
             there
             needs
             no
             other
             ,
             nor
             can
             be
             a
             greater
             ,
             you
             both
             shall
             dye
             because
             you
             are
             Christians
             ,
             and
             consequently
             Enemies
             to
             the
             Roman
             Emperors
             ,
             
             and
             the
             Gods
             that
             made
             them
             so
             .
          
           
             This
             fatal
             Doom
             being
             pronounc'd
             ,
             the
             Judge
             order'd
             the
             condemn'd
             Prisoners
             to
             be
             taken
             aside
             ,
             and
             strongly
             guarded
             ,
             till
             all
             things
             were
             in
             readiness
             for
             their
             Execution
             :
             Which
             preparatives
             he
             gave
             order
             to
             hasten
             .
             Yet
             finding
             by
             the
             discontented
             looks
             ,
             and
             confus'd
             murmurs
             ,
             of
             the
             by-standers
             ,
             that
             the
             Charms
             and
             Innocence
             of
             Theodora
             ,
             and
             the
             Youth
             ,
             Courage
             and
             Friendship
             ,
             of
             both
             the
             no
             less
             generous
             than
             unfortunate
             Prisoners
             ,
             made
             his
             Sentence
             o
             be
             far
             less
             lik'd
             ,
             than
             were
             the
             persons
             &
             behavior
             of
             those
             it
             had
             pass'd
             upon
             ;
             declar'd
             ,
             that
             whilst
             he
             was
             dispatching
             other
             publick
             business
             ,
             he
             permitted
             any
             that
             should
             have
             Charity
             enough
             to
             make
             a
             hopeless
             Attempt
             ,
             to
             endeavour
             to
             convert
             those
             obstinate
             miscreants
             :
             Adding
             withal
             an
             intimation
             ,
             that
             even
             they
             might
             speed
             in
             their
             suit
             ,
             if
             they
             would
             seasonably
             ,
             with
             incense
             
             in
             their
             hands
             ,
             flee
             to
             the
             Altars
             of
             the
             Gods
             ,
             and
             humbly
             implore
             of
             Them
             ,
             Pardon
             and
             Safety
             .
          
           
             This
             respite
             ,
             as
             it
             expos'd
             the
             generous
             Couple
             to
             have
             their
             constancy
             assaulted
             by
             Infidels
             ,
             ambitious
             of
             making
             such
             illustrious
             Persons
             Proselytes
             ,
             so
             it
             gave
             them
             the
             welcom
             opportunity
             ,
             of
             interchanging
             some
             discourse
             with
             one
             another
             .
          
           
             These
             Conferences
             were
             begun
             by
             Didymus
             ;
             who
             seeing
             himself
             upon
             the
             point
             of
             final
             Separation
             from
             his
             admirable
             Mistress
             ,
             could
             not
             forbear
             feeling
             in
             himself
             such
             disorders
             ,
             as
             on
             all
             other
             sad
             occasions
             ,
             his
             great
             Courage
             had
             kept
             him
             from
             resenting
             .
             And
             this
             unusual
             commotion
             of
             mind
             ,
             was
             uneasie
             enough
             to
             oblige
             him
             to
             say
             ,
             to
             the
             fair
             Person
             that
             occasion'd
             it
             ;
             Though
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             the
             military
             course
             of
             life
             I
             have
             with
             some
             forwardness
             pursu'd
             ,
             has
             accustom'd
             me
             to
             meet
             Death
             in
             variety
             of
             formidable
             
             Shapes
             and
             Dresses
             ,
             without
             being
             discompos'd
             by
             it
             ;
             yet
             when
             I
             see
             the
             world
             going
             to
             be
             rob'd
             of
             its
             noblest
             Ornament
             ,
             and
             my self
             to
             be
             depriv'd
             of
             the
             person
             I
             most
             love
             and
             admire
             in
             it
             ;
             and
             when
             I
             see
             this
             matchless
             Person
             ready
             to
             he
             ravish'd
             from
             us
             ,
             both
             in
             the
             flow'r
             of
             her
             age
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             infamous
             hand
             of
             an
             Executioner
             ;
             I
             think
             it
             were
             rather
             stupidness
             not
             to
             be
             afflicted
             ,
             than
             any
             weakness
             to
             be
             deeply
             so
             .
          
           
             I
             was
             ▪
             answer'd
             Theodora
             ,
             so
             fully
             satisfy'd
             before
             ,
             of
             your
             Friendship
             and
             Compassion
             ;
             that
             this
             new
             grief
             of
             yours
             ,
             as
             't
             is
             a
             very
             needless
             proof
             of
             them
             ,
             so
             't
             is
             a
             very
             unwelcom
             one
             .
             For
             ,
             if
             I
             were
             to
             allow
             any
             thing
             to
             grieve
             me
             ,
             when
             I
             am
             entring
             into
             
               the
               fulness
               of
               Joy
            
             ,
             it
             ought
             to
             be
             ,
             that
             I
             find
             your
             good
             nature
             renders
             this
             seemingly
             distress'd
             Condition
             of
             mine
             very
             uneasie
             to
             You
             ;
             which
             through
             Gods
             assistance
             ,
             is
             very
             little
             so
             to
             
             me
             ;
             and
             yet
             will
             be
             less
             so
             ,
             if
             ,
             congratulating
             rather
             than
             deploring
             our
             Martyrdom
             ,
             you
             will
             ease
             me
             of
             the
             justest
             and
             greatest
             part
             of
             my
             Grief
             ,
             that
             consists
             in
             being
             unhappily
             accessory
             to
             yours
             ,
             and
             seeing
             you
             needlesly
             troubl'd
             at
             mine
             .
             That
             circumstance
             ,
             adds
             she
             ,
             of
             my
             death
             ,
             which
             I
             perceive
             much
             afflicts
             you
             ,
             might
             in
             my
             opinion
             more
             justly
             lessen
             ,
             than
             aggravate
             your
             Sorrow
             .
             For
             ,
             I
             look
             upon
             it
             rather
             as
             a
             Favour
             ,
             than
             an
             Infelicity
             ,
             that
             I
             am
             early
             remov'd
             out
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             where
             I
             see
             ,
             and
             suffer
             ,
             and
             (
             which
             is
             worst
             of
             all
             )
             do
             ,
             so
             much
             Ill.
             To
             be
             early
             rescu'd
             from
             the
             Snares
             of
             a
             Dangerous
             and
             Persecuting
             Age
             ,
             and
             preserv'd
             
               from
               the
               Evil
               to
               come
            
             ,
             is
             rather
             a
             Privilege
             ,
             than
             a
             Calamity
             ,
             to
             those
             that
             are
             duely
             sensible
             ,
             as
             I
             desire
             to
             be
             ,
             that
             one
             can
             never
             arrive
             unseasonably
             at
             Heaven
             ,
             nor
             be
             too
             early
             happy
             .
             And
             ,
             in
             this
             persuasion
             (
             continues
             
               Theodora
               ,
            
             )
             I
             am
             confirm'd
             by
             considering
             ,
             that
             the
             First
             
             of
             those
             who
             are
             recorded
             to
             have
             religiously
             deceas'd
             ,
             in
             the
             old
             Testament
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             new
             ,
             just
             Abel
             ,
             and
             John
             the
             Baptist
             ;
             both
             of
             them
             dy'd
             young
             ,
             and
             perish'd
             by
             the
             hands
             of
             those
             that
             Persecuted
             them
             for
             their
             Piety
             .
             And
             even
             that
             spotless
             Lamb
             of
             God
             
               who
               did
               no
               sin
            
             ,
             but
             by
             his
             Satisfaction
             ,
             Precepts
             ,
             and
             Example
             ,
             
               takes
               away
               the
               sin
               of
               the
               World
            
             ;
             was
             sacrific'd
             almost
             in
             the
             flow'r
             of
             his
             Age
             :
             So
             little
             is
             it
             an
             unhappiness
             ,
             or
             a
             mark
             of
             Gods
             disfavour
             ,
             to
             escape
             the
             toyles
             and
             dangers
             of
             a
             troublesom
             Navigation
             ,
             by
             being
             early
             ,
             though
             by
             a
             boisterous
             Wind
             ,
             blown
             into
             the
             Port.
             And
             ,
             if
             it
             could
             become
             a
             Woman
             to
             encourage
             a
             Heroe
             ,
             I
             should
             exhort
             both
             you
             and
             my self
             too
             ,
             generous
             Didymus
             ,
             (
             continues
             she
             )
             to
             entertain
             our
             present
             Condition
             with
             Sentiments
             becoming
             Christians
             .
             And
             ,
             as
             it
             does
             not
             trouble
             me
             directly
             ,
             so
             it
             ought
             not
             to
             trouble
             you
             upon
             the
             score
             of
             sympathy
             ;
             that
             I
             am
             
             secur'd
             from
             the
             hazards
             and
             inconveniencies
             of
             Age
             :
             But
             be
             pleas'd
             to
             make
             use
             of
             that
             Courage
             ,
             now
             at
             the
             end
             of
             your
             daies
             ,
             that
             you
             have
             constantly
             express'd
             in
             the
             course
             of
             your
             life
             .
             And
             ,
             do
             not
             ,
             I
             beseech
             you
             ,
             repine
             ,
             either
             that
             you
             or
             I
             ,
             is
             to
             fall
             by
             the
             hand
             of
             an
             Executioner
             .
             For
             that
             seeming
             ,
             and
             but
             seeming
             Ignominy
             ,
             was
             the
             lot
             both
             of
             our
             Saviour's
             immediate
             Harbinger
             ,
             and
             of
             our
             Saviour
             himself
             .
             And
             ,
             when
             we
             consider
             for
             whom
             ,
             and
             for
             what
             ,
             we
             suffer
             ;
             we
             may
             find
             reason
             enough
             to
             assume
             the
             sentiments
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             who
             ,
             after
             having
             been
             misus'd
             by
             the
             Jewish
             Council
             ,
             
               went
               from
               their
               presence
               rejoycing
               ,
               that
               they
               had
               been
               thought
               worthy
               to
               Suffer
               for
               His
               name
            
             ;
             
             for
             whom
             we
             are
             going
             to
             suffer
             the
             like
             things
             .
             For
             ,
             Didymus
             ,
             Gods
             gracious
             Providence
             has
             not
             left
             us
             to
             perish
             ,
             by
             ling'ring
             or
             tormenting
             Sickness
             ,
             or
             troublesom
             Old
             Age
             ;
             nor
             yet
             for
             some
             common
             
             Cause
             ,
             or
             some
             unimportant
             End.
             But
             all
             in
             our
             fate
             is
             noble
             :
             And
             what
             to
             others
             is
             meer
             Death
             ,
             a
             debt
             due
             to
             Nature
             ,
             or
             the
             punishment
             of
             Sin
             ,
             to
             us
             is
             Martyrdom
             ,
             the
             noblest
             act
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             and
             shortest
             way
             to
             Everlasting
             Glory
             .
          
           
             A
             Discourse
             that
             relish'd
             so
             much
             more
             of
             a
             Martyr
             than
             of
             a
             Virgin
             ,
             gave
             Didymus
             a
             rise
             to
             continue
             a
             Conversation
             ,
             by
             which
             he
             found
             himself
             as
             well
             assisted
             ,
             as
             charm'd
             ;
             and
             therefore
             observing
             the
             serenity
             of
             his
             Mistresses
             looks
             ,
             to
             be
             little
             inferiour
             to
             the
             beauty
             of
             her
             face
             ,
             and
             remembring
             what
             instances
             she
             had
             that
             day
             given
             of
             an
             altogether
             extraordinary
             Piety
             and
             Courage
             ;
             was
             ,
             by
             the
             sentiments
             these
             reflections
             produ'cd
             in
             him
             ,
             prompted
             to
             tell
             her
             :
             I
             should
             be
             justly
             inconsolable
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             to
             see
             my self
             and
             the
             world
             ,
             upon
             the
             point
             of
             being
             depriv'd
             of
             so
             admirable
             a
             Person
             ,
             as
             Theodora
             has
             ,
             by
             this
             
             daies
             various
             Tryals
             ,
             manifested
             Her self
             to
             be
             ;
             if
             I
             were
             not
             confident
             ,
             that
             my
             Loss
             will
             be
             as
             short
             as
             great
             ;
             and
             that
             in
             the
             State
             we
             are
             now
             entring
             upon
             ,
             I
             shall
             be
             allow'd
             what
             approaching
             Death
             will
             deny
             me
             in
             this
             ,
             and
             shall
             find
             in
             Heaven
             the
             endearing
             happiness
             of
             conversing
             with
             Her
             more
             freely
             ,
             than
             our
             Persecutions
             and
             Her
             Reservedness
             would
             here
             permit
             .
             For
             Madam
             ,
             (
             continues
             He
             ,
             )
             I
             am
             Friend
             enough
             to
             my
             own
             Felicity
             ,
             to
             believe
             assuredly
             ,
             that
             those
             who
             shall
             be
             happy
             enough
             to
             meet
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             will
             know
             one
             another
             there
             ,
             and
             have
             their
             joyes
             hightned
             by
             the
             remembrance
             of
             what
             past
             between
             them
             upon
             Earth
             .
             For
             in
             the
             blest
             State
             we
             are
             hastening
             to
             ,
             our
             Faculties
             ,
             and
             consequently
             our
             memory
             ,
             will
             not
             only
             be
             gratify'd
             with
             Suitable
             Objects
             ,
             but
             be
             improv'd
             by
             enlarg'd
             Capacities
             .
             And
             even
             in
             a
             condition
             short
             of
             that
             we
             this
             day
             expect
             ;
             mens
             knowledge
             has
             been
             advanc'd
             ,
             at
             least
             as
             much
             
             as
             is
             necessary
             for
             our
             knowing
             one
             another
             ,
             without
             the
             helps
             that
             are
             ordinarily
             requisite
             to
             make
             us
             do
             so
             .
             As
             soon
             as
             ever
             Adam
             saw
             Eve
             ,
             he
             could
             confidently
             say
             of
             her
             ,
             that
             
               she
               was
               bone
               of
               his
               bone
               ,
               and
               flesh
               of
               his
               flesh
               .
            
             When
             Noah
             awak'd
             from
             his
             Sleep
             ,
             he
             could
             tell
             that
             during
             his
             sleep
             ,
             his
             younger
             Son
             had
             behav'd
             himself
             irreverently
             towards
             him
             .
             When
             our
             Saviour
             was
             tranfigur'd
             on
             
               M.
               Tabor
            
             ,
             the
             three
             chos'n
             disciples
             that
             attended
             him
             presently
             knew
             Moses
             &
             Elias
             ,
             
             whom
             they
             had
             never
             seen
             before
             ,
             
             in
             spite
             of
             the
             Diguise
             that
             the
             Glory
             they
             appear'd
             in
             put
             upon
             them
             .
             St.
             Paul
             tells
             his
             Thessalonians
             ,
             
             they
             shall
             be
             his
             joy
             &
             crown
             ,
             before
             their
             common
             Lord
             at
             his
             appearing
             :
             To
             the
             truth
             of
             which
             it
             seems
             requisite
             ,
             that
             both
             the
             Preachers
             and
             the
             Converts
             shall
             be
             publickly
             known
             at
             that
             great
             appearance
             ,
             and
             
               Assembly
               of
               the
               first
               born
               ,
               whose
               names
               are
               
               written
               in
               Heaven
            
             ;
             and
             consequently
             ,
             that
             men
             there
             shall
             know
             one
             another
             .
             Our
             Divine
             Redeemer
             ,
             continues
             Didymus
             ,
             teaches
             us
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             Joy
             in
             the
             presence
             of
             the
             holy
             Angels
             over
             a
             repenting
             Sinner
             ;
             which
             argues
             ,
             that
             whether
             they
             know
             of
             his
             Conversion
             in
             a
             more
             intuitive
             way
             ,
             or
             by
             the
             information
             of
             those
             Angels
             ,
             that
             are
             some
             times
             sent
             to
             this
             lower
             world
             about
             human
             affairs
             ,
             they
             yet
             have
             a
             knowledg
             of
             particular
             persons
             ,
             and
             take
             notice
             of
             particular
             things
             that
             concern
             them
             .
             And
             ,
             which
             makes
             exceedingly
             for
             my
             present
             purpose
             ,
             he
             elsewhere
             introduces
             Abraham
             in
             Paradice
             ,
             calling
             upon
             the
             uncharitable
             Rich
             Man
             ,
             to
             remember
             what
             his
             own
             and
             
             Lazarus's
             differing
             States
             had
             been
             upon
             Earth
             :
             And
             ,
             which
             is
             yet
             more
             ,
             to
             shew
             ,
             that
             even
             in
             the
             place
             of
             utter
             Darkness
             and
             Torment
             ,
             the
             Memory
             of
             past
             things
             and
             persons
             is
             not
             obliterated
             ;
             the
             Rich
             Man
             is
             introduc'd
             ,
             as
             remembring
             not
             only
             Lazarus
             ,
             but
             
             his
             own
             five
             Brothers
             ,
             and
             their
             dangerous
             Condition
             .
          
           
             The
             pause
             that
             Didymus
             made
             ,
             after
             these
             words
             ,
             invited
             Theodora
             to
             tell
             him
             :
             Since
             ,
             generous
             Didymus
             ,
             I
             have
             observ'd
             our
             soundest
             Teachers
             to
             be
             of
             differing
             opinions
             about
             the
             Subject
             of
             your
             Discourse
             ,
             and
             that
             they
             do
             not
             look
             upon
             it
             as
             an
             Article
             of
             Faith
             ,
             either
             that
             the
             Blessed
             do
             ,
             or
             that
             they
             do
             not
             ,
             know
             one
             another
             in
             Heaven
             ;
             I
             presume
             I
             may
             be
             allow'd
             to
             think
             ,
             that
             if
             they
             do
             ,
             (
             which
             I
             know
             is
             the
             most
             receiv'd
             Opinion
             )
             they
             do
             it
             in
             likelihood
             with
             other
             sentiments
             than
             we
             commonly
             imagine
             .
             For
             ,
             when
             the
             beloved
             Disciple
             teaches
             ,
             that
             ,
             though
             
               we
               be
               here
               the
               Children
               of
               God
               ,
               it
               does
               not
               yet
               appear
               what
               we
               shall
               be
            
             ;
             and
             adds
             only
             in
             general
             ,
             that
             ,
             
               when
               our
               Saviour
            
             ,
             or
             that
             Bless'd
             State
             ,
             
               shall
               be
               manifested
            
             ,
             we
             shall
             be
             like
             Him
             :
             When
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             I
             reflect
             on
             this
             ,
             and
             some
             things
             of
             the
             same
             import
             ;
             I
             
             am
             prone
             to
             fear
             ,
             that
             we
             judge
             too
             much
             of
             our
             future
             glorious
             State
             ,
             by
             wrong
             measures
             ,
             taken
             from
             our
             present
             frail
             and
             mean
             Condition
             .
             And
             I
             am
             apt
             to
             think
             ,
             that
             we
             must
             stay
             till
             we
             come
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             before
             we
             shall
             frame
             Ideas
             suitable
             to
             the
             Prerogatives
             of
             its
             Bless'd
             Inhabitants
             .
             I
             think
             our
             Notions
             will
             then
             be
             rais'd
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             our
             Dust
             ,
             and
             our
             Love
             ,
             and
             other
             Affections
             ,
             will
             be
             transfigur'd
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             our
             Bodies
             .
             If
             we
             know
             one
             another
             ,
             though
             our
             mutual
             Love
             may
             perhaps
             be
             greater
             than
             it
             ever
             was
             on
             Earth
             ,
             yet
             it
             will
             not
             be
             upon
             the
             former
             Accounts
             ;
             but
             will
             be
             as
             well
             better
             grounded
             ,
             as
             better
             regulated
             .
             That
             external
             Beauty
             ,
             pursues
             the
             fair
             Speaker
             ,
             that
             here
             is
             so
             much
             doted
             on
             and
             overvalu'd
             ,
             will
             there
             be
             found
             so
             much
             inferiour
             to
             that
             of
             every
             Glorify'd
             Body
             ,
             that
             the
             difference
             and
             degrees
             of
             it
             will
             be
             very
             inconsiderable
             ,
             and
             unable
             to
             make
             differing
             impressions
             on
             those
             that
             
             shall
             remember
             them
             :
             As
             the
             refulgent
             splendor
             of
             the
             Sun
             obscures
             all
             the
             Stars
             ,
             and
             keeps
             our
             eyes
             from
             being
             any
             more
             affected
             by
             the
             greatest
             and
             brightest
             ,
             than
             by
             any
             of
             the
             rest
             .
             So
             that
             our
             kindness
             to
             one
             another
             will
             be
             very
             little
             grounded
             upon
             External
             Qualities
             ,
             which
             will
             there
             either
             cease
             ,
             or
             be
             eclips'd
             ;
             nor
             upon
             secular
             Relations
             ,
             which
             will
             there
             affect
             us
             far
             less
             ,
             than
             our
             being
             nearly
             related
             to
             our
             common
             Lord
             ;
             our
             resemblance
             to
             whom
             will
             be
             the
             chief
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             justest
             Ground
             of
             our
             mutual
             esteem
             and
             affection
             .
             When
             Children
             of
             the
             same
             Parents
             have
             been
             early
             parted
             ,
             and
             long
             bred
             in
             distant
             places
             ;
             though
             when
             they
             are
             grown
             men
             and
             women
             ,
             they
             chance
             to
             meet
             again
             ,
             't
             is
             observ'd
             ,
             that
             at
             first
             they
             know
             not
             one
             another
             any
             more
             than
             meer
             strangers
             :
             and
             when
             they
             are
             inform'd
             of
             their
             Relation
             ,
             't
             is
             not
             the
             little
             accidents
             that
             happen'd
             to
             them
             at
             play
             ;
             nor
             some
             features
             ,
             
             that
             perhaps
             pleas'd
             one
             of
             them
             in
             the
             others
             Face
             ,
             but
             are
             now
             very
             much
             chang'd
             by
             Time
             and
             Growth
             ;
             that
             produce
             their
             new
             kindness
             :
             but
             the
             knowledge
             that
             they
             are
             Children
             of
             the
             same
             Father
             ,
             and
             their
             finding
             in
             each
             other
             personal
             qualities
             ,
             fit
             to
             adorn
             their
             present
             State
             ,
             and
             thereby
             to
             challenge
             kindness
             and
             esteem
             .
             And
             if
             some
             years
             absence
             can
             produce
             so
             great
             a
             Change
             ,
             as
             to
             make
             our
             nearest
             Relations
             unknowable
             by
             us
             ;
             and
             make
             us
             look
             with
             pity
             ,
             on
             the
             fondnesses
             that
             trifles
             produc'd
             in
             us
             in
             our
             infancy
             :
             What
             Changes
             ,
             may
             we
             think
             ,
             must
             be
             made
             on
             those
             that
             convers'd
             together
             upon
             Earth
             ,
             when
             after
             numerous
             ages
             ,
             they
             shall
             meet
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             with
             minds
             as
             much
             chang'd
             and
             improv'd
             as
             their
             bodies
             will
             then
             be
             ?
             Shall
             we
             not
             by
             the
             grounds
             of
             a
             vertuous
             Complacency
             ,
             be
             more
             affected
             and
             united
             ,
             than
             we
             are
             now
             by
             natural
             Relations
             ,
             or
             by
             external
             Beauty
             ,
             and
             those
             other
             
             ●rifles
             that
             here
             produce
             the
             greatest
             Fondnesses
             ?
          
           
             But
             Theodora
             ,
             (
             answers
             the
             surpriz'd
             Didymus
             )
             can
             you
             be
             so
             rigid
             as
             to
             think
             ,
             that
             pure
             and
             vertuous
             Affections
             cannot
             be
             admitted
             into
             Heaven
             ;
             since
             the
             Scripture
             informs
             us
             ,
             that
             not
             only
             Joy
             &
             Desire
             are
             to
             be
             found
             even
             among
             the
             Angels
             ,
             (
             who
             are
             said
             to
             rejoyce
             at
             a
             sinners
             Conversion
             ,
             and
             desire
             to
             pry
             into
             the
             Mysteries
             of
             our
             Religion
             )
             but
             Care
             and
             Actings
             for
             opposite
             Ends
             ;
             (
             as
             when
             the
             Angel
             of
             Persia
             withstood
             Michael
             ,
             and
             the
             Angel
             that
             talk'd
             to
             
               Daniel
               .
            
             )
             
          
           
             I
             do
             not
             absolutely
             deny
             ,
             Theodora
             replies
             ,
             that
             the
             Blessed
             know
             one
             another
             in
             Heaven
             .
             And
             ,
             saies
             she
             ,
             with
             a
             light
             change
             of
             colour
             ,
             I
             am
             so
             far
             inclin'nd
             to
             believe
             it
             is
             true
             ,
             as
             ,
             for
             
             Didymus's
             sake
             ,
             to
             wish
             it
             so
             .
             But
             ,
             as
             I
             lately
             told
             you
             ,
             I
             am
             not
             apt
             to
             think
             ,
             the
             sentiments
             occasion'd
             
             by
             that
             knowledge
             ,
             will
             be
             such
             as
             most
             men
             imagine
             .
             Besides
             those
             Reasons
             that
             you
             have
             ingeniously
             laid
             together
             ,
             I
             think
             your
             perswasion
             of
             the
             Saints
             mutual
             knowledge
             the
             more
             probable
             ,
             because
             it
             seems
             not
             readily
             conceivable
             ,
             how
             at
             the
             great
             Day
             of
             Judgement
             ,
             the
             Justice
             of
             God
             ,
             in
             rewarding
             and
             punishing
             particular
             Vertues
             and
             Crimes
             ,
             can
             be
             manifested
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             without
             discovering
             the
             Persons
             by
             whom
             they
             were
             perform'd
             :
             Since
             Personal
             Circumstances
             do
             very
             much
             alter
             the
             nature
             of
             moral
             Actions
             .
             And
             since
             the
             happy
             residents
             in
             heav'n
             ,
             will
             have
             an
             eternity
             alow'd
             them
             to
             converse
             with
             one
             another
             in
             ;
             it
             seems
             highly
             probable
             ,
             that
             in
             their
             various
             Conferences
             ,
             they
             will
             meet
             with
             ,
             at
             least
             sometime
             or
             other
             ,
             occasions
             ,
             that
             by
             less
             sagacity
             than
             their
             enlightened
             minds
             will
             then
             be
             endow'd
             with
             ,
             may
             be
             improv'd
             to
             the
             discovery
             of
             the
             Persons
             they
             were
             formerly
             
             acquainted
             with
             .
             But
             on
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             (
             continues
             Theodora
             )
             we
             shall
             have
             such
             noble
             and
             charming
             Entertainments
             to
             employ
             our
             attention
             ,
             as
             will
             engross
             it
             from
             the
             little
             and
             despicable
             Objects
             ,
             (
             as
             we
             shall
             then
             think
             them
             )
             that
             now
             amuse
             or
             busie
             us
             ;
             as
             when
             we
             behold
             such
             a
             pompous
             Solemnity
             as
             a
             Roman
             Triumph
             ,
             the
             variety
             of
             splendid
             and
             magnificent
             Objects
             ,
             that
             Successively
             present
             themselves
             to
             our
             view
             ,
             make
             us
             so
             intent
             upon
             those
             surprizing
             Spectacles
             ,
             that
             even
             the
             nearest
             and
             dearest
             Relations
             ,
             though
             perhaps
             gazing
             at
             the
             same
             Sight
             ,
             out
             of
             the
             same
             windows
             ,
             are
             apt
             to
             forget
             one
             another
             .
             And
             (
             continues
             she
             )
             even
             when
             the
             Saints
             actually
             know
             and
             remember
             one
             another
             ,
             they
             may
             love
             and
             converse
             ,
             upon
             terms
             very
             differing
             from
             those
             ,
             that
             were
             suitable
             to
             their
             mortal
             Condition
             .
             Yes
             ,
             Didymus
             ,
             (
             adds
             she
             )
             As
             there
             will
             be
             no
             such
             difference
             of
             Ages
             and
             Sexes
             ,
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             as
             
             there
             are
             on
             Earth
             ;
             since
             all
             shall
             there
             be
             
               like
               the
               Angels
            
             ,
             and
             have
             
               Bodies
               conform'd
               to
               the
               Glorious
               Body
               of
               their
               Redeemer
               :
               So
               ,
            
             the
             Rational
             Friendships
             ,
             that
             will
             be
             practis'd
             in
             that
             happy
             Place
             ,
             will
             receive
             their
             measures
             from
             the
             new
             and
             personal
             Excellencies
             of
             the
             Friends
             ;
             from
             their
             being
             Rivals
             in
             the
             Love
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             from
             their
             differing
             degrees
             of
             resemblance
             to
             Him
             ,
             that
             is
             the
             
               Brightness
               of
               his
               Glory
               ,
               and
               the
               express
               Image
               of
               His
               Person
               .
            
             But
             ,
             concludes
             Theodora
             ,
             we
             need
             not
             spend
             more
             time
             in
             discoursing
             conjecturally
             about
             Questions
             ,
             wherein
             the
             Change
             ,
             we
             are
             now
             going
             to
             make
             ,
             will
             soon
             bring
             us
             to
             be
             resolv'd
             .
             And
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             ,
             we
             may
             well
             rest
             satisfy'd
             ,
             with
             this
             assurance
             ,
             That
             since
             Heaven
             is
             a
             Place
             ,
             or
             State
             ▪
             where
             we
             shall
             be
             Bless'd
             with
             the
             
               Fulness
               of
               Joy
            
             ;
             to
             know
             and
             converse
             with
             each
             other
             ,
             will
             be
             there
             found
             ,
             either
             a
             part
             of
             our
             Felicity
             ,
             or
             not
             necessary
             to
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             IX
             .
          
           
             WHilst
             Didymas
             and
             his
             excellent
             Mistress
             ,
             stood
             waiting
             ,
             till
             the
             infamous
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Presidents
             Cruelty
             ,
             had
             prepar'd
             all
             things
             requisite
             to
             the
             Execution
             of
             his
             barbarous
             Sentence
             ;
             among
             those
             many
             Roman
             Soldiers
             that
             were
             assembled
             there
             ,
             to
             be
             spectators
             of
             the
             approaching
             Tragedy
             ▪
             an
             Officer
             ,
             whom
             his
             own
             Gallantry
             had
             strongly
             inclin'd
             to
             sympathize
             with
             a
             Person
             ,
             in
             whom
             he
             saw
             that
             Quality
             so
             Eminent
             ,
             thought
             himself
             oblig'd
             to
             attempt
             the
             diswading
             him
             ,
             from
             persisting
             in
             so
             fatal
             a
             Resolution
             as
             he
             had
             taken
             .
             Wherefore
             ,
             approaching
             our
             Martyr
             ,
             with
             very
             obliging
             looks
             and
             gestures
             ,
             and
             drawing
             him
             aside
             ,
             The
             Gods
             ,
             sayes
             he
             ,
             can
             bear
             me
             witness
             ,
             
             generous
             Youth
             ,
             that
             't
             is
             not
             without
             some
             amazement
             ,
             and
             more
             trouble
             ,
             than
             any
             affliction
             of
             my
             own
             has
             been
             wont
             to
             give
             me
             ,
             that
             I
             see
             the
             Possessor
             of
             so
             much
             Gallantry
             ,
             upon
             the
             point
             to
             be
             destroy'd
             by
             an
             unhappy
             Constancy
             ,
             which
             ,
             though
             in
             other
             cases
             a
             vertue
             ,
             must
             ,
             being
             exercis'd
             against
             the
             Gods
             ,
             become
             a
             Crime
             .
             And
             therefore
             ,
             I
             cannot
             but
             ardently
             wish
             ,
             that
             after
             having
             shewn
             so
             much
             Patience
             and
             Courage
             ,
             you
             would
             at
             length
             express
             your
             Prudence
             too
             ,
             by
             letting
             your self
             be
             perswaded
             to
             a
             Compliance
             ,
             that
             may
             rescue
             you
             at
             once
             from
             Impiety
             and
             from
             Death
             .
          
           
             An
             advice
             ,
             answers
             Didymus
             ,
             that
             is
             propos'd
             with
             so
             much
             kindness
             and
             civility
             ,
             and
             yet
             press'd
             but
             by
             such
             unsatisfying
             Reasons
             ,
             does
             justly
             deserve
             my
             thanks
             for
             it
             ,
             but
             not
             my
             compliance
             with
             it
             .
             For
             the
             Argument
             you
             bring
             against
             my
             Constancy
             to
             the
             Truth
             ,
             is
             only
             ,
             
             that
             my
             persisting
             in
             it
             will
             cost
             me
             my
             Life
             ;
             which
             is
             a
             proof
             indeed
             ,
             that
             the
             Religion
             I
             profess
             ,
             will
             lead
             me
             into
             Danger
             ,
             but
             none
             at
             all
             ,
             that
             it
             has
             misled
             me
             into
             Error
             .
          
           
             'T
             is
             altogether
             extrinsick
             and
             accidental
             to
             a
             Religions
             being
             true
             or
             false
             ,
             that
             its
             Embracers
             happen
             to
             be
             encourag'd
             by
             Preferments
             ,
             or
             expos'd
             to
             Persecutions
             .
             Fear
             is
             but
             an
             ill
             Counsellor
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             unless
             it
             be
             the
             fear
             of
             chusing
             a
             bad
             one
             ,
             or
             living
             unworthy
             of
             a
             good
             one
             .
             He
             deserves
             not
             the
             Blessing
             of
             having
             made
             a
             good
             choice
             among
             Religions
             ,
             that
             does
             more
             seek
             in
             his
             choice
             ,
             the
             Concernments
             of
             his
             Life
             ,
             than
             of
             his
             Soul.
             And
             as
             't
             is
             only
             for
             its
             being
             the
             true
             one
             ,
             that
             we
             should
             make
             choice
             of
             our
             Religion
             :
             So
             having
             once
             chosen
             it
             ,
             nothing
             should
             make
             us
             desert
             it
             ,
             but
             a
             conviction
             of
             its
             being
             erroneous
             ,
             and
             consequently
             of
             its
             wanting
             that
             Truth
             ,
             whose
             appearance
             made
             us
             
             embrace
             it
             .
             If
             therefore
             ,
             you
             can
             shew
             me
             ,
             that
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             is
             false
             ,
             or
             that
             yours
             is
             better
             ;
             I
             am
             not
             so
             in
             love
             with
             wandring
             ,
             as
             to
             go
             on
             in
             a
             wrong
             way
             ,
             because
             I
             once
             have
             ,
             by
             weakness
             or
             misfortune
             ,
             been
             misled
             into
             it
             .
             But
             if
             your
             Arguments
             be
             but
             menaces
             ,
             or
             any
             thing
             that
             is
             of
             that
             sort
             ,
             which
             can
             only
             manifest
             ,
             that
             the
             power
             is
             on
             your
             side
             ,
             but
             do
             not
             at
             all
             evince
             ,
             that
             the
             truth
             is
             not
             on
             mine
             ;
             I
             must
             look
             upon
             what
             you
             urge
             ,
             as
             not
             deserving
             to
             be
             comply'd
             with
             ,
             but
             contemn'd
             .
             And
             if
             it
             were
             not
             my
             custom
             never
             to
             take
             any
             thing
             ill
             ,
             that
             I
             think
             is
             meant
             well
             ,
             I
             should
             esteem
             my self
             not
             a
             little
             injur'd
             ,
             by
             the
             argument
             you
             employ
             to
             make
             me
             abandon
             Christianity
             .
             Since
             ,
             if
             a
             person
             less
             civil
             and
             gallant
             had
             made
             use
             of
             it
             ,
             I
             should
             conclude
             ,
             that
             he
             must
             suppose
             me
             a
             Coward
             ,
             to
             hope
             ,
             by
             such
             perswasions
             to
             make
             a
             Proselyte
             .
             And
             though
             I
             were
             less
             assur'd
             than
             I
             am
             ,
             of
             the
             Truth
             of
             
             the
             Religion
             I
             have
             alwaies
             own'd
             ;
             yet
             would
             I
             not
             for
             all
             the
             world
             ,
             on
             this
             occasion
             ,
             by
             professing
             yours
             ,
             desert
             it
             :
             Least
             by
             forsaking
             it
             ,
             when
             I
             am
             threaten'd
             for
             sticking
             to
             it
             ;
             I
             should
             procure
             my self
             a
             disquieting
             temptation
             to
             suspect
             ,
             that
             I
             did
             not
             deal
             sincerely
             and
             impartially
             in
             chusing
             a
             Religion
             ;
             since
             I
             made
             choice
             of
             one
             ,
             that
             I
             judg'd
             not
             worthy
             to
             be
             dy'd
             for
             .
          
           
             You
             mistake
             my
             intentions
             ,
             Generous
             Didymus
             ,
             replies
             the
             Roman
             ,
             if
             you
             think
             I
             pretended
             to
             fright
             you
             into
             Apostacy
             :
             my
             Vertue
             would
             as
             little
             allow
             me
             to
             have
             so
             unworthy
             a
             design
             ,
             as
             your
             Courage
             would
             permit
             a
             hope
             ,
             that
             it
             should
             be
             succesful
             .
             But
             looking
             upon
             my self
             ,
             as
             having
             made
             a
             right
             choice
             in
             that
             worship
             of
             the
             Gods
             ,
             I
             make
             profession
             of
             ,
             I
             could
             not
             think
             it
             injurious
             to
             you
             ,
             to
             perswade
             you
             ,
             rather
             to
             Live
             in
             the
             profession
             of
             a
             true
             Religion
             ,
             than
             to
             Dye
             for
             that
             of
             a
             false
             one
             .
             And
             since
             my
             
             concerns
             for
             your
             safety
             ,
             and
             the
             little
             time
             you
             have
             to
             deliberate
             ,
             oblige
             me
             to
             speak
             freely
             to
             you
             ;
             I
             cannot
             but
             wonder
             ,
             that
             a
             Person
             that
             hath
             courted
             Honour
             at
             the
             rate
             you
             have
             done
             ,
             should
             lose
             himself
             ,
             for
             One
             ,
             whom
             the
             most
             Sacred
             Persons
             of
             his
             own
             Nation
             ,
             crucified
             as
             a
             Malefactor
             ;
             and
             who
             has
             been
             so
             ill
             natur'd
             ,
             as
             to
             invite
             his
             Followers
             ,
             both
             by
             express
             words
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             nature
             of
             the
             Religion
             he
             fram'd
             ,
             which
             could
             not
             but
             be
             Persecuted
             ,
             to
             involve
             themselves
             with
             him
             in
             the
             like
             unhappy
             fate
             .
          
           
             The
             Notions
             (
             replies
             Didymus
             ,
             somewhat
             nettled
             at
             this
             Discourse
             )
             that
             Idolaters
             frame
             to
             themselves
             ,
             of
             the
             nature
             of
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             are
             commonly
             as
             erroneous
             ,
             as
             the
             ways
             they
             take
             to
             confute
             it
             ,
             are
             improper
             ,
             and
             inhumane
             :
             And
             they
             are
             usually
             no
             less
             misinform'd
             about
             the
             Grounds
             and
             Mysteries
             of
             our
             Religion
             ,
             than
             they
             are
             mistaken
             
             about
             the
             Objects
             of
             their
             own
             Adorations
             .
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             that
             the
             Divine
             Person
             I
             adore
             ,
             being
             sent
             from
             God
             his
             Father
             ,
             to
             be
             the
             great
             Prophet
             and
             Reformer
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             did
             ,
             with
             a
             Prophetick
             Freedom
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Authority
             ,
             sharply
             rebuke
             the
             Superstitions
             of
             the
             Jewish
             Scribes
             and
             Pharisees
             ,
             among
             whom
             he
             convers'd
             ;
             and
             did
             not
             more
             unmask
             their
             Hypocrisie
             ,
             and
             reproach
             their
             Practices
             ,
             by
             the
             Light
             of
             his
             Doctrine
             ,
             than
             by
             the
             shining
             actions
             of
             a
             most
             exemplary
             and
             unblemish'd
             Life
             .
             And
             his
             Holiness
             having
             exasperated
             these
             impious
             Hypocrites
             ,
             that
             found
             their
             Authority
             undermin'd
             ,
             and
             their
             Persons
             discredited
             by
             him
             :
             As
             their
             malice
             was
             too
             great
             ,
             not
             to
             attempt
             the
             Destruction
             of
             such
             an
             Enemy
             ;
             so
             his
             Constancy
             was
             too
             great
             ,
             to
             suffer
             him
             to
             decline
             the
             greatest
             dangers
             ,
             by
             declining
             to
             persist
             in
             the
             wonted
             exercise
             of
             his
             Vertues
             ;
             whereby
             he
             thus
             became
             expos'd
             to
             a
             Death
             ,
             which
             he
             foresaw
             ,
             and
             
             frequently
             foretold
             ,
             and
             which
             he
             also
             willingly
             underwent
             ,
             to
             procure
             Everlasting
             Life
             ,
             for
             those
             who
             should
             believe
             in
             him
             ,
             and
             strive
             to
             imitate
             him
             .
          
           
             And
             that
             his
             Death
             ,
             whereunto
             he
             submitted
             to
             expiate
             the
             sins
             of
             others
             ,
             was
             not
             inflicted
             on
             him
             for
             his
             own
             ,
             was
             evident
             ,
             by
             his
             being
             absolv'd
             ,
             not
             only
             by
             the
             very
             Judge
             ,
             to
             whom
             a
             Criminal
             fear
             of
             his
             Accusers
             indicted
             the
             Sentence
             he
             pronounc'd
             against
             him
             ,
             but
             by
             that
             Supreme
             and
             Infallible
             Judge
             ,
             
               God
               himself
            
             ;
             who
             declar'd
             by
             astonishing
             Prodigies
             ,
             both
             in
             Heaven
             and
             Earth
             ,
             how
             much
             he
             was
             displeas'd
             with
             those
             ,
             that
             put
             his
             Son
             to
             Death
             ;
             &
             by
             raising
             him
             from
             the
             Dead
             within
             three
             days
             ,
             to
             an
             Immortal
             Life
             ,
             proclaim'd
             how
             dear
             he
             was
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             gave
             him
             Power
             ,
             to
             make
             his
             Followers
             Partakers
             of
             that
             glorious
             condition
             he
             himself
             was
             advanc'd
             to
             .
             So
             that
             (
             continues
             Didymus
             )
             those
             Champions
             
             of
             his
             ,
             whom
             he
             vouchsafes
             to
             single
             out
             from
             the
             rest
             of
             his
             Followers
             ,
             and
             call
             to
             Martyrdom
             ,
             have
             reason
             enough
             to
             look
             upon
             that
             Call
             ,
             as
             an
             invaluable
             Honour
             ,
             and
             a
             Priviledge
             :
             Since
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             thereby
             made
             more
             conformable
             to
             him
             ,
             in
             chearfully
             dying
             for
             Truth
             and
             Constancy
             ;
             so
             they
             will
             be
             made
             more
             plentiful
             sharers
             in
             those
             inestimable
             advantages
             ,
             that
             his
             own
             meritorious
             Martyrdom
             procur'd
             him
             .
             Yes
             ,
             for
             those
             to
             whom
             he
             vouchsafes
             the
             Power
             and
             Honour
             of
             Suffering
             for
             Him
             ,
             and
             of
             imitating
             him
             ,
             for
             the
             interest
             of
             Truth
             and
             Piety
             ;
             he
             does
             not
             only
             reserve
             such
             future
             Recompences
             ,
             to
             crown
             their
             Love
             and
             Fidelity
             ,
             but
             often
             gives
             them
             here
             such
             happy
             foretasts
             ,
             in
             a
             perfect
             assurance
             of
             it
             ,
             that
             I
             cannot
             but
             look
             upon
             it
             ,
             as
             a
             vast
             accession
             to
             that
             immense
             Love
             ,
             that
             made
             him
             dye
             for
             Us
             ,
             that
             he
             calls
             and
             inables
             us
             to
             dye
             for
             Him.
             
          
           
           
             I
             confess
             ,
             
               (
               Didymus
            
             adds
             in
             pursuit
             of
             his
             Discourse
             )
             that
             ,
             as
             he
             took
             upon
             him
             the
             form
             of
             a
             Man
             ,
             so
             he
             suffer'd
             himself
             to
             be
             us'd
             as
             good
             Men
             too
             often
             are
             .
             But
             his
             miraculous
             power
             and
             goodness
             ,
             sufficiently
             proclaim'd
             ,
             that
             he
             was
             not
             thrown
             down
             from
             Heaven
             to
             Earth
             ,
             as
             your
             Vulcan
             is
             said
             to
             have
             been
             ,
             but
             that
             he
             descended
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             to
             make
             Men
             live
             an
             heavenly
             life
             :
             Nor
             did
             he
             ,
             like
             many
             of
             your
             Deities
             ,
             especially
             your
             Jupiter
             ,
             assume
             an
             humane
             shape
             ,
             to
             do
             actions
             below
             the
             dignity
             of
             humane
             Nature
             ;
             but
             he
             taught
             Men
             a
             Doctrine
             ,
             worthy
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             likely
             ,
             to
             be
             brought
             from
             Heaven
             ;
             and
             gave
             them
             an
             exemplary
             life
             ,
             whose
             imitation
             would
             fit
             them
             to
             be
             translated
             thither
             :
             And
             then
             submitted
             to
             the
             Torments
             and
             Infamy
             of
             the
             Cross
             ,
             to
             purchase
             for
             his
             followers
             ,
             by
             his
             Death
             ,
             that
             heavenly
             condition
             ,
             for
             which
             he
             had
             qualified
             them
             ,
             by
             his
             Spirit
             and
             his
             Life
             .
          
           
           
             The
             Roman
             Officer
             ,
             not
             yet
             quite
             discourag'd
             ,
             by
             the
             unsuccesfulness
             he
             had
             hitherto
             met
             with
             in
             his
             attempt
             ,
             resolv'd
             to
             prosecute
             it
             yet
             further
             ,
             by
             saying
             :
             The
             same
             reason
             ,
             that
             somewhat
             lessens
             my
             wonder
             at
             your
             despising
             Death
             ,
             for
             your
             erroneous
             Religion
             ,
             encreases
             my
             admiration
             at
             your
             unconcernedness
             ,
             to
             avoid
             the
             kind
             of
             Death
             that
             threatens
             your
             obstinacy
             .
             For
             though
             the
             love
             of
             glory
             ,
             may
             invite
             a
             gallant
             Man
             ,
             like
             Didymus
             ,
             to
             part
             with
             his
             life
             for
             the
             attainment
             of
             it
             ;
             yet
             that
             same
             heroick
             passion
             ,
             ought
             to
             make
             those
             it
             possesses
             ,
             more
             apprehensive
             than
             others
             of
             those
             Extremities
             ,
             wherein
             Death
             is
             accompany'd
             with
             Infamy
             ,
             and
             made
             justy
             terrible
             with
             ignominious
             Circumstances
             ;
             of
             which
             ,
             none
             can
             be
             more
             disgraceful
             ,
             than
             the
             receiving
             it
             at
             the
             base
             hand
             of
             a
             common
             Executioner
             .
          
           
           
             The
             Weakness
             and
             Examples
             of
             your
             Gods
             (
             replies
             Didymus
             )
             have
             too
             much
             seduced
             you
             ,
             to
             make
             Estimates
             of
             Good
             and
             Evil
             ,
             by
             those
             popular
             and
             pitiful
             measures
             ,
             that
             I
             cannot
             but
             think
             very
             unworthy
             to
             be
             acquiesc'd
             in
             by
             a
             Christian
             ;
             who
             ,
             to
             merit
             that
             Title
             ,
             must
             be
             somewhat
             more
             than
             an
             ordinary
             Man.
             We
             judge
             of
             good
             and
             evil
             Actions
             ,
             by
             the
             Laws
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             right
             Reason
             ,
             not
             by
             those
             of
             Men
             in
             Power
             .
             And
             therefore
             do
             not
             think
             ,
             that
             Constancy
             ceases
             to
             be
             a
             Vertue
             ,
             and
             consequently
             an
             honourable
             ,
             not
             a
             disgraceful
             quality
             ,
             because
             legal
             Tyrants
             will
             call
             it
             Obstinacy
             ,
             and
             condemn
             Men
             for
             it
             ,
             to
             the
             same
             Punishments
             that
             are
             allotted
             to
             dishonourable
             Actions
             .
             The
             respect
             our
             Religion
             commands
             us
             to
             pay
             to
             a
             Civil
             Magistrate
             ,
             though
             a
             Persecutor
             ,
             permits
             us
             not
             by
             force
             to
             resist
             his
             unjust
             Sentences
             .
             But
             this
             Submission
             of
             ours
             ,
             does
             not
             at
             all
             keep
             his
             Sentences
             from
             being
             unjust
             ,
             
             nor
             forbid
             us
             to
             think
             them
             so
             ;
             and
             consequently
             leaves
             us
             the
             inestimable
             satisfaction
             of
             our
             Consciences
             ,
             that
             inwardly
             absolve
             us
             ,
             when
             outward
             Judges
             condemn
             us
             .
             And
             for
             proof
             of
             this
             ,
             you
             cannot
             but
             have
             taken
             notice
             ,
             that
             ,
             whereas
             truly
             Criminal
             ,
             Persons
             being
             conscious
             of
             their
             own
             Guilt
             ,
             either
             deny
             what
             they
             are
             accused
             of
             ,
             or
             endeavour
             by
             all
             means
             ,
             to
             palliate
             it
             ,
             and
             to
             avoid
             the
             being
             condem'd
             for
             it
             .
             We
             Christians
             ,
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             do
             not
             only
             Confess
             what
             you
             call
             a
             Crime
             ,
             but
             Glory
             in
             It
             ;
             and
             do
             not
             deprecate
             the
             fate
             ,
             that
             attends
             our
             Constancy
             .
             Nor
             can
             it
             fright
             us
             from
             undergoing
             Death
             ,
             for
             a
             glorious
             Cause
             ,
             that
             we
             must
             receive
             it
             from
             an
             Infamous
             Hand
             .
             For
             that
             by
             which
             we
             estimate
             it
             ,
             is
             ,
             the
             quality
             of
             the
             action
             that
             procures
             it
             ,
             not
             the
             condition
             of
             him
             that
             is
             employ'd
             to
             inflict
             it
             :
             And
             ,
             so
             we
             can
             consider
             with
             joy
             ,
             
               for
               what
            
             ,
             we
             are
             not
             much
             troubled
             to
             see
             ,
             
               by
               whom
            
             ,
             it
             is
             that
             we
             suffer
             ;
             
             being
             satisfied
             ,
             that
             the
             Executioners
             hand
             may
             destroy
             a
             Malefactor
             ,
             but
             cannot
             make
             one
             ;
             and
             if
             the
             Cause
             that
             brings
             a
             Man
             to
             the
             Scaffold
             ,
             be
             not
             culpable
             ,
             the
             place
             cannot
             make
             the
             Death
             that
             is
             there
             suffered
             ,
             infamous
             :
             Nay
             ,
             and
             if
             Vertue
             leads
             him
             thither
             ,
             the
             Instruments
             of
             his
             Death
             ,
             cannot
             keep
             it
             from
             being
             Glorious
             ;
             since
             this
             demonstrates
             the
             Sufferers
             unshaken
             Constancy
             to
             be
             insuperable
             ,
             not
             only
             by
             Death
             ,
             but
             by
             that
             which
             many
             have
             embrac'd
             Death
             to
             shun
             ,
             the
             Contempt
             of
             the
             generality
             of
             Men.
             Your
             gallant
             Roman
             Commander
             
               (
               Attilius
               Regulus
            
             )
             is
             much
             less
             remembred
             and
             celebrated
             ,
             for
             all
             his
             Military
             Exploits
             and
             Attempts
             ,
             than
             for
             the
             Cruel
             Death
             he
             suffer'd
             ,
             by
             order
             of
             the
             Carthaginians
             ,
             to
             whom
             ,
             in
             performance
             of
             a
             Pomise
             ,
             he
             yielded
             himself
             up
             ,
             with
             expectation
             of
             some
             such
             barbarous
             Usage
             as
             he
             met
             with
             .
             And
             sure
             ,
             as
             a
             submission
             to
             Indignities
             ,
             was
             a
             duty
             not
             
             meanly
             glorious
             in
             him
             ,
             to
             shun
             the
             breaking
             of
             his
             Word
             to
             his
             Enemies
             ;
             the
             like
             resignation
             of
             themselves
             ,
             will
             not
             ,
             by
             unbyass'd
             Judges
             ,
             be
             thought
             an
             Action
             dishonourable
             in
             Christians
             ,
             to
             prevent
             the
             violation
             of
             their
             Faith
             ,
             solemnly
             given
             ,
             not
             to
             a
             Savage
             Enemy
             ,
             but
             to
             a
             Divine
             Friend
             ,
             who
             has
             already
             ,
             without
             any
             obligation
             to
             do
             it
             ,
             suffered
             more
             shame
             for
             them
             ,
             than
             the
             sublimity
             of
             his
             condition
             leaves
             it
             possible
             for
             them
             to
             suffer
             for
             him
             .
             And
             though
             that
             Greek
             Philosopher
             ,
             Socrates
             ,
             whom
             your
             own
             Oracles
             ,
             with
             more
             of
             Truth
             than
             they
             are
             wont
             to
             be
             guilty
             of
             ,
             pronounc'd
             the
             wisest
             of
             Men
             ,
             was
             by
             his
             own
             Fellow-Citizens
             condemn'd
             to
             die
             by
             Poyson
             ,
             brought
             him
             by
             the
             hand
             of
             an
             Executioner
             :
             Yet
             ,
             since
             that
             Sentence
             was
             not
             occasioned
             by
             his
             Crimes
             ,
             but
             his
             Vertues
             ,
             the
             deadly
             draught
             did
             not
             destroy
             his
             Fame
             with
             his
             Life
             ;
             and
             poyson'd
             not
             his
             Reputation
             ,
             which
             it
             extremely
             heightned
             ,
             
             but
             that
             of
             his
             Accusers
             ,
             and
             his
             Judges
             ;
             whom
             after
             Ages
             have
             look'd
             upon
             ,
             as
             worse
             Criminals
             than
             ever
             they
             Condemned
             ,
             and
             more
             unworthy
             Persons
             ,
             than
             those
             they
             employed
             to
             execute
             their
             Sentence
             .
             And
             for
             my
             part
             ,
             (
             continues
             Didymus
             )
             some
             passages
             of
             our
             sacred
             Records
             encourage
             me
             to
             expect
             ,
             that
             ,
             if
             a
             Posthume
             Fame
             be
             such
             a
             Blessing
             ,
             as
             many
             imagine
             ,
             the
             Indignities
             we
             suffer
             now
             ,
             will
             hereafter
             procure
             it
             us
             .
             For
             I
             cannot
             but
             hope
             ,
             and
             methinks
             I
             foresee
             ,
             that
             the
             Roman
             Eagles
             will
             one
             day
             stoop
             to
             the
             Cross
             of
             Christ
             :
             And
             the
             Temples
             of
             your
             False
             Deities
             ,
             will
             be
             consecrated
             to
             the
             Service
             of
             the
             True
             God.
             The
             Sword
             of
             the
             Civil
             Magistrate
             ,
             which
             is
             now
             the
             great
             and
             only
             successful
             Argument
             on
             your
             side
             ,
             will
             be
             then
             in
             Christian
             hands
             ,
             which
             I
             wish
             may
             never
             employ
             it
             against
             your
             Religion
             ;
             whose
             ruine
             will
             not
             require
             the
             active
             opposition
             of
             Power
             ,
             but
             the
             bare
             withdrawing
             
             of
             its
             preserving
             Support
             .
             And
             then
             posterity
             ,
             more
             enlightned
             and
             more
             just
             ,
             will
             read
             the
             History
             of
             those
             Destroyers
             of
             the
             Baptized
             (
             which
             is
             ,
             at
             least
             ,
             the
             innocenter
             )
             part
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             with
             the
             same
             resentments
             ,
             with
             which
             they
             will
             read
             the
             havocks
             made
             by
             Wars
             ,
             Plagues
             ,
             Massacres
             ,
             and
             other
             publick
             Calamities
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             X.
             
          
           
             THese
             Replies
             of
             Didymus
             made
             an
             end
             of
             convincing
             the
             Person
             ,
             that
             occasion'd
             them
             ,
             that
             our
             Martyrs
             resolution
             was
             not
             to
             be
             shaken
             ,
             either
             by
             threats
             or
             perswasions
             .
          
           
             But
             yet
             the
             officious
             Roman
             ,
             cherishing
             some
             hope
             ,
             that
             ,
             if
             Didymus
             should
             see
             his
             Mistress
             ready
             to
             be
             kill'd
             by
             an
             infamous
             hand
             ;
             that
             Beauty
             ,
             which
             had
             conquered
             his
             heart
             ,
             would
             soften
             it
             ,
             and
             thereby
             make
             it
             capable
             of
             relenting
             impressions
             ;
             thought
             fit
             to
             make
             him
             one
             address
             more
             ,
             and
             tell
             him
             ;
             It
             is
             not
             without
             extreme
             regret
             ,
             that
             I
             see
             your
             inflexible
             obstinacy
             defeat
             all
             my
             endeavours
             to
             procure
             your
             safety
             .
             But
             though
             your
             mistaken
             
             gallantry
             ,
             may
             make
             you
             think
             it
             unhandsom
             in
             a
             Soldier
             ,
             to
             disclaim
             a
             threatned
             opinion
             ,
             that
             he
             once
             adher'd
             to
             ,
             lest
             the
             change
             should
             be
             imputed
             to
             Fear
             or
             Levity
             ;
             yet
             I
             hope
             you
             will
             not
             think
             ,
             that
             the
             strict
             rules
             of
             that
             destructive
             Gallantry
             ,
             ought
             to
             oblige
             a
             young
             Lady
             ,
             in
             whose
             Sex
             ,
             Courage
             is
             ,
             at
             least
             ,
             an
             unrequired
             ,
             if
             not
             an
             altogether
             improper
             ,
             Vertue
             .
             And
             therefore
             ,
             I
             hope
             you
             will
             not
             refuse
             to
             second
             my
             Endeavours
             ,
             to
             perswade
             her
             ,
             not
             to
             throw
             herself
             out
             of
             a
             World
             ,
             of
             whose
             grandeurs
             and
             pleasures
             ,
             her
             transcendent
             Beauty
             promises
             her
             an
             extraordinary
             share
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             her
             Youth
             fits
             her
             to
             relish
             them
             perfectly
             ,
             and
             enjoy
             them
             long
             .
          
           
             Didymus
             ,
             though
             at
             first
             somewhat
             surpriz'd
             at
             this
             motion
             ,
             took
             no
             long
             time
             to
             return
             answer
             ,
             by
             saying
             ;
             I
             confess
             ,
             I
             cannot
             partake
             of
             the
             trouble
             you
             are
             pleas'd
             to
             express
             ,
             for
             the
             not
             prevailing
             of
             your
             
             Endeavours
             to
             alter
             my
             Resolutions
             .
             For
             though
             the
             advice
             you
             press'd
             upon
             me
             ,
             was
             obliging
             in
             you
             to
             give
             ,
             yet
             it
             would
             have
             been
             Criminal
             for
             me
             to
             take
             it
             .
          
           
             And
             as
             for
             what
             you
             propose
             ,
             in
             reference
             to
             Theodora
             ,
             I
             must
             desire
             to
             be
             excus'd
             from
             making
             myself
             accessory
             to
             your
             design
             of
             tempting
             her
             .
             For
             ,
             in
             my
             opinion
             ,
             he
             that
             solicites
             another
             ,
             to
             what
             he
             believeth
             a
             Crime
             ,
             doth
             become
             guilty
             of
             one
             ;
             so
             that
             ,
             as
             to
             what
             concerns
             Theodora
             ,
             without
             being
             at
             all
             sure
             of
             shaking
             her
             Vertue
             ,
             I
             should
             most
             certainly
             ruine
             my
             own
             innocence
             .
             Yet
             I
             cannot
             think
             (
             says
             the
             Roman
             ,
             interrupting
             him
             ,
             )
             but
             if
             you
             would
             enforce
             my
             perswasions
             with
             yours
             ,
             the
             Interest
             you
             have
             in
             her
             ,
             would
             prevail
             to
             make
             her
             rather
             accept
             of
             Life
             ,
             than
             deny
             a
             Person
             ,
             that
             she
             owes
             so
             much
             to
             ;
             and
             does
             not
             less
             highly
             ,
             than
             justly
             ,
             value
             .
          
           
           
             If
             (
             replies
             Didymus
             )
             I
             should
             yield
             to
             use
             so
             Criminal
             means
             ,
             as
             to
             give
             her
             an
             Example
             of
             the
             Apostacy
             ,
             you
             would
             have
             me
             invite
             her
             to
             ;
             the
             attempt
             would
             be
             less
             improbable
             :
             But
             for
             me
             to
             perswade
             her
             to
             what
             I
             am
             just
             going
             to
             give
             a
             convincing
             proof
             ,
             that
             I
             believe
             to
             be
             worse
             than
             Death
             ;
             would
             make
             her
             both
             hate
             me
             ,
             and
             despise
             me
             .
             And
             to
             convince
             you
             ,
             that
             such
             a
             Motion
             as
             you
             would
             have
             me
             make
             ,
             would
             lose
             me
             all
             the
             share
             I
             may
             have
             in
             her
             good
             opinion
             ;
             I
             will
             dare
             to
             own
             to
             you
             ,
             that
             if
             I
             thought
             her
             capable
             ,
             I
             say
             not
             of
             endeavouring
             to
             seduce
             me
             ,
             but
             of
             being
             seduced
             by
             me
             ,
             my
             esteem
             of
             her
             would
             alter
             upon
             her
             change
             :
             And
             though
             I
             could
             not
             deny
             my
             wonder
             to
             so
             rare
             a
             Master-piece
             of
             Nature
             ,
             as
             is
             her
             visible
             part
             ;
             yet
             there
             would
             be
             a
             vast
             difference
             betwixt
             a
             meer
             admiration
             of
             external
             Beauty
             ,
             which
             must
             become
             the
             Trophy
             of
             Age
             or
             Death
             ;
             and
             that
             high
             veneration
             ,
             that
             I
             now
             
             pay
             to
             that
             admirable
             Person
             's
             intrinsick
             Worth
             ,
             and
             unconquerable
             Vertue
             .
          
           
             Nor
             should
             you
             doubt
             (
             continues
             Didymus
             )
             of
             the
             Entertainment
             ,
             that
             such
             a
             Piety
             as
             hers
             ,
             would
             give
             such
             a
             Motion
             as
             you
             would
             have
             me
             make
             ;
             since
             it
             would
             justly
             give
             her
             a
             higher
             resentment
             of
             my
             solicitations
             ,
             than
             of
             all
             the
             importunities
             of
             her
             Heathen
             Persecutors
             :
             for
             these
             do
             but
             advise
             her
             to
             decline
             Danger
             ,
             by
             embracing
             what
             they
             think
             Truth
             ;
             whereas
             that
             which
             you
             would
             have
             me
             to
             perswade
             her
             to
             ,
             is
             ,
             to
             purchase
             her
             safety
             ,
             by
             renouncing
             ,
             what
             I
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             She
             ,
             know
             to
             be
             Truth
             :
             And
             I
             doubt
             not
             ,
             that
             such
             a
             proceeding
             would
             so
             highly
             offend
             her
             ,
             as
             to
             enable
             her
             ,
             by
             a
             bare
             Pardon
             ,
             to
             acquit
             herself
             of
             those
             Respects
             and
             Services
             of
             mine
             ,
             to
             which
             posssibly
             a
             Person
             of
             her
             goodness
             vouchsafes
             some
             Title
             to
             her
             gratitude
             .
          
           
           
             There
             is
             (
             replies
             the
             Roman
             )
             so
             great
             a
             difference
             betwixt
             the
             case
             of
             a
             resolv'd
             Soldier
             ,
             that
             thinks
             himself
             in
             point
             of
             Reputation
             engag'd
             not
             to
             retreat
             ,
             and
             that
             of
             a
             young
             Lady
             ,
             from
             whom
             no
             Resoluteness
             ,
             much
             less
             Obstinacy
             ,
             can
             be
             expected
             ,
             that
             I
             must
             yet
             think
             ,
             our
             joynt
             perswasions
             ,
             though
             unassisted
             by
             your
             Example
             ,
             would
             with-hold
             her
             from
             Death
             ,
             now
             she
             is
             near
             enough
             to
             it
             to
             see
             the
             horrors
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             Nay
             ,
             (
             rejoyns
             Didymus
             )
             I
             did
             not
             speak
             what
             I
             have
             been
             saying
             about
             my
             own
             aversness
             ,
             that
             I
             might
             hinder
             you
             from
             trying
             your
             Fortune
             ,
             if
             you
             think
             fit
             ,
             with
             
             Theodora's
             Vertue
             .
             I
             do
             not
             envy
             her
             Constancy
             (
             whose
             successes
             have
             been
             hitherto
             no
             fewer
             than
             its
             tryals
             )
             the
             honour
             of
             gaining
             more
             than
             one
             Victory
             ,
             in
             one
             day
             .
             But
             what
             I
             have
             been
             saying
             ,
             was
             ,
             to
             give
             you
             one
             reason
             ,
             of
             my
             refusing
             to
             joyn
             with
             you
             in
             your
             propos'd
             
             attempt
             :
             against
             which
             I
             shall
             now
             offer
             this
             other
             reason
             ,
             that
             I
             think
             it
             little
             less
             than
             impossible
             it
             should
             succeed
             .
             For
             I
             thought
             I
             had
             already
             satisfied
             you
             ,
             that
             as
             to
             my
             interest
             in
             Theodora
             ,
             if
             it
             were
             much
             greater
             ,
             than
             you
             ,
             for
             want
             of
             knowing
             us
             both
             ,
             imagine
             ;
             so
             great
             a
             misimployment
             of
             it
             ,
             would
             make
             me
             justly
             forfeit
             it
             ;
             and
             perswasions
             that
             would
             seduce
             her
             to
             Apostacy
             ,
             instead
             of
             making
             her
             follow
             the
             Advice
             ,
             would
             make
             her
             but
             detest
             the
             Adviser
             .
             And
             as
             to
             the
             hopes
             ,
             you
             ground
             on
             her
             seeing
             herself
             upon
             the
             point
             of
             passing
             out
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             let
             me
             tell
             you
             ,
             that
             the
             severe
             Exercises
             ,
             to
             which
             her
             strict
             Piety
             hath
             long
             accustomed
             her
             ,
             have
             so
             disingaged
             her
             affections
             from
             temporal
             things
             ,
             that
             ,
             being
             already
             mortified
             to
             the
             pleasures
             and
             vanities
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             Death
             can
             now
             do
             no
             more
             ,
             but
             free
             her
             from
             the
             troubles
             and
             persecutions
             of
             it
             .
             She
             hath
             employed
             a
             great
             part
             of
             her
             life
             ,
             in
             preparing
             
             herself
             to
             part
             with
             it
             joyfully
             ,
             when-ever
             Nature
             or
             Vertue
             shall
             require
             it
             ;
             and
             she
             will
             find
             it
             very
             easie
             to
             lay
             it
             down
             for
             Religion
             ,
             now
             she
             is
             in
             a
             suffering
             Condition
             ,
             when
             in
             her
             most
             flourishing
             one
             ,
             she
             found
             it
             enough
             to
             wean
             her
             from
             the
             love
             of
             the
             present
             life
             ,
             that
             it
             detained
             her
             from
             the
             next
             .
             Great
             Vertues
             ,
             such
             as
             hers
             ,
             are
             like
             great
             Rivers
             ,
             which
             ,
             the
             nearer
             they
             come
             to
             the
             Sea
             ,
             where
             they
             are
             to
             end
             their
             course
             ,
             the
             greater
             they
             are
             wont
             to
             grow
             ,
             and
             the
             more
             difficult
             the
             stream
             is
             to
             be
             withstood
             or
             hinder'd
             from
             its
             progress
             .
             Theodora
             now
             looks
             upon
             herself
             ,
             as
             having
             but
             one
             step
             more
             to
             make
             ,
             to
             reach
             that
             Crown
             she
             hath
             done
             and
             suffer'd
             so
             much
             for
             :
             And
             that
             glorious
             Object
             ,
             viewed
             at
             so
             near
             a
             distance
             ,
             so
             ravishes
             and
             so
             possesses
             her
             Eyes
             ,
             that
             she
             will
             doubtless
             either
             not
             see
             ,
             or
             not
             regard
             ,
             any
             thing
             that
             would
             hinder
             or
             retard
             her
             taking
             possession
             of
             it
             .
          
           
           
             Here
             the
             Roman
             Officer
             ,
             somewhat
             impatient
             at
             
             Didymus's
             Discourse
             ,
             would
             no
             longer
             forbear
             interrupting
             it
             ,
             by
             telling
             him
             ;
             To
             hear
             you
             speak
             ,
             one
             would
             imagine
             ,
             that
             you
             are
             not
             talking
             of
             a
             young
             Lady
             ,
             but
             of
             some
             ancient
             Heroe
             ,
             that
             had
             been
             long
             accustom'd
             to
             despise
             the
             Frowns
             of
             Fortune
             ,
             and
             keep
             himself
             from
             over-valuing
             her
             smiles
             .
          
           
             Heroick
             Vertue
             (
             replies
             Didymus
             )
             does
             as
             little
             know
             Sexes
             ,
             as
             doth
             the
             Soul
             wherein
             it
             properly
             resides
             .
             A
             habitude
             cannot
             always
             be
             Essential
             to
             the
             Nature
             of
             an
             Heroick
             Action
             :
             Since
             the
             first
             of
             that
             kind
             that
             one
             does
             ,
             is
             not
             the
             consequent
             ,
             but
             the
             beginning
             ,
             of
             a
             a
             habitude
             :
             And
             a
             sincere
             and
             settled
             resolution
             to
             be
             highly
             vertuous
             ,
             may
             make
             a
             Woman
             (
             as
             well
             as
             a
             Man
             )
             to
             be
             ,
             that
             which
             the
             noblest
             subsequent
             Actions
             can
             but
             declare
             her
             to
             
               have
               been
            
             .
             And
             a
             Person
             that
             ,
             like
             Theodora
             ,
             acts
             by
             the
             assistance
             ,
             
             and
             as
             in
             the
             presence
             ,
             of
             the
             Deity
             ,
             may
             ,
             to
             maintain
             her
             Loyalty
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             her
             Title
             to
             the
             inestimable
             Rewards
             he
             hath
             promis'd
             to
             persevering
             Piety
             ,
             both
             act
             and
             suffer
             greater
             things
             ,
             than
             those
             very
             Heroes
             you
             talk
             of
             were
             put
             upon
             ,
             by
             such
             barely
             humane
             Motives
             ,
             as
             Custom
             ,
             Ambition
             ,
             or
             Revenge
             .
             And
             particularly
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             point
             of
             perseverance
             against
             Menaces
             ,
             and
             Proffers
             ;
             these
             are
             not
             like
             to
             prevail
             against
             the
             Constancy
             of
             Christians
             much
             less
             possess'd
             with
             Divine
             Love
             and
             Hope
             ,
             than
             Theodora
             is
             .
             And
             indeed
             ,
             there
             can
             be
             nothing
             upon
             Earth
             capable
             to
             bribe
             Them
             ,
             to
             let
             go
             the
             Joys
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             that
             see
             themselves
             entring
             upon
             the
             Possession
             ,
             and
             find
             themselves
             sensible
             of
             the
             inestimable
             Value
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             Wherefore
             (
             concludes
             Didymus
             )
             you
             will
             not
             ,
             I
             presume
             ,
             think
             it
             strange
             ,
             that
             I
             refuse
             to
             joyn
             with
             you
             ,
             in
             a
             Design
             ,
             that
             I
             could
             not
             
             so
             much
             as
             attempt
             ,
             either
             with
             Hope
             ,
             or
             without
             a
             Crime
             ;
             and
             that
             thinking
             it
             worthier
             of
             my
             Endeavors
             ,
             to
             imitate
             
             Theodora's
             Constancy
             ,
             than
             to
             seduce
             her
             from
             it
             ,
             I
             chuse
             rather
             to
             be
             a
             sharer
             in
             the
             Triumphs
             of
             her
             Vertue
             ,
             than
             a
             Trophy
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XI
             .
          
           
             THis
             resolute
             Conclusion
             ,
             oblig'd
             the
             Roman
             Officer
             to
             break
             off
             a
             Conversation
             ,
             whereby
             he
             plainly
             saw
             ,
             there
             was
             no
             cause
             to
             hope
             he
             could
             shake
             the
             Constancy
             of
             Didymus
             ;
             and
             much
             cause
             to
             fear
             ,
             that
             
             Didymus's
             Constancy
             and
             his
             Discourses
             ,
             would
             stagger
             many
             of
             the
             Heathen
             Auditors
             .
             And
             therefore
             withdrawing
             himself
             ,
             much
             discontented
             at
             the
             unsuccesfulness
             of
             his
             perswasions
             ,
             he
             thought
             it
             would
             be
             impious
             ,
             to
             make
             any
             intercession
             ,
             for
             Persons
             he
             judg'd
             invincibly
             obstinate
             ,
             or
             divert
             the
             fatal
             Proceedings
             of
             the
             Judge
             ;
             who
             having
             by
             this
             time
             made
             an
             end
             of
             those
             other
             Affairs
             ,
             whose
             dispatch
             
             Theodora's
             respite
             was
             not
             to
             outlast
             ;
             call'd
             for
             the
             innocent
             
             Criminals
             ,
             and
             ,
             with
             a
             stern
             Countenance
             and
             Voice
             ,
             demanded
             ,
             whether
             they
             were
             yet
             willing
             ,
             to
             appease
             the
             Deities
             they
             had
             provok'd
             ;
             and
             by
             burning
             Incense
             to
             them
             ,
             endeavour
             to
             attone
             for
             the
             Affronts
             they
             had
             offer'd
             them
             .
             Adding
             ,
             that
             there
             was
             now
             no
             more
             time
             left
             for
             deliberating
             ,
             but
             that
             they
             must
             immediately
             renounce
             thir
             Impious
             Religion
             ,
             or
             suffer
             Death
             for
             it
             .
          
           
             But
             this
             could
             not
             shake
             the
             illustrious
             Prisoners
             Constancy
             ;
             which
             prompted
             them
             to
             make
             ,
             with
             as
             much
             haste
             as
             the
             President
             could
             desire
             ,
             an
             answer
             ,
             that
             consisted
             but
             of
             a
             short
             and
             resolute
             declaration
             ;
             That
             they
             had
             liv'd
             Worshippers
             of
             Christ
             ;
             and
             had
             a
             thousand
             times
             rather
             die
             ,
             than
             cease
             to
             be
             ,
             or
             to
             profess
             themselves
             such
             :
             And
             that
             for
             the
             false
             Gods
             ,
             the
             President
             would
             have
             them
             adore
             ;
             they
             had
             rather
             be
             their
             Victims
             ,
             than
             their
             Suppliants
             ;
             
             and
             fall
             Sacrifices
             to
             them
             ,
             than
             offer
             them
             any
             .
          
           
             This
             bold
             profession
             ,
             so
             incens'd
             the
             person
             't
             was
             made
             to
             ,
             that
             he
             immediately
             gave
             order
             ,
             that
             the
             Prisoners
             should
             be
             led
             away
             to
             the
             place
             of
             Execution
             ;
             and
             that
             the
             Ministers
             of
             Justice
             ,
             (
             as
             he
             misnamed
             his
             Cruelty
             )
             should
             ,
             without
             delay
             ,
             go
             on
             with
             the
             preparations
             that
             were
             making
             ,
             to
             destroy
             them
             .
             But
             while
             these
             Officers
             were
             solicitous
             to
             obey
             those
             Commands
             ,
             Theodora
             took
             the
             opportunity
             ,
             to
             tell
             the
             generous
             Companion
             of
             her
             Sufferings
             :
             It
             was
             fit
             ,
             I
             confess
             ,
             when
             we
             discours'd
             with
             Infidels
             ,
             to
             recommend
             the
             Objects
             of
             our
             hopes
             ,
             by
             giving
             them
             the
             glorious
             Titles
             of
             Crowns
             ,
             and
             Triumphs
             ;
             since
             being
             to
             defend
             the
             reasonableness
             of
             our
             Constancy
             ,
             by
             the
             greatness
             of
             the
             rewards
             we
             expect
             for
             it
             ;
             't
             was
             very
             proper
             to
             represent
             those
             Coelestial
             Recompences
             ,
             under
             the
             
             notion
             of
             such
             Goods
             ,
             as
             those
             we
             argued
             with
             ,
             acknowledged
             to
             be
             the
             most
             noble
             and
             desirable
             .
             But
             ,
             (
             continues
             she
             )
             when
             we
             speak
             of
             Heaven
             among
             our selves
             ,
             give
             me
             leave
             to
             tell
             you
             ,
             that
             I
             think
             we
             should
             look
             upon
             it
             under
             a
             very
             differing
             notion
             ;
             and
             make
             a
             wide
             disparity
             betwixt
             the
             Christians
             Paradise
             ,
             and
             the
             Poets
             Elysium
             .
             The
             Triumphs
             we
             should
             most
             desire
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             should
             be
             ,
             not
             over
             our
             outward
             Enemies
             ,
             or
             personal
             Sufferings
             ,
             but
             over
             Sin
             and
             Ignorance
             ,
             and
             the
             frailties
             of
             our
             Natures
             ,
             and
             the
             imperfections
             of
             our
             Vertues
             .
             And
             the
             positive
             Blessings
             that
             should
             most
             endear
             Heaven
             to
             us
             ,
             should
             be
             ,
             not
             so
             much
             that
             we
             shall
             there
             be
             Crown'd
             by
             Christ
             ,
             as
             that
             we
             shall
             live
             with
             him
             ,
             and
             
               follow
               that
               spotless
               Lamb
               where
               ever
               he
               goes
            
             ;
             That
             our
             gratitude
             it self
             shall
             be
             perfect
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Blessings
             that
             engage
             it
             shall
             be
             compleat
             ;
             and
             That
             we
             shall
             have
             an
             eternal
             
             Day
             ,
             to
             contemplate
             that
             
               Sun
               of
               Righteousness
            
             ,
             without
             having
             that
             glorious
             Object
             veil'd
             by
             any
             interposing
             Cloud
             ,
             much
             less
             hid
             from
             us
             by
             the
             vicissitudes
             of
             day
             and
             night
             .
             In
             short
             ,
             I
             think
             ,
             Devotion
             should
             in
             our
             future
             State
             ,
             aspire
             to
             other
             things
             ,
             than
             those
             that
             may
             be
             the
             Objects
             of
             meer
             Ambition
             .
          
           
             And
             now
             ,
             generous
             Didymus
             ,
             (
             adds
             Theodora
             )
             since
             we
             are
             entering
             upon
             the
             last
             scene
             of
             our
             mortal
             Life
             ;
             let
             us
             ,
             (
             I
             beseech
             you
             )
             summon
             together
             and
             rouse
             up
             all
             the
             Graces
             and
             Vertues
             we
             have
             receiv'd
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             fervently
             implore
             both
             an
             encrease
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             a
             supply
             of
             any
             that
             our
             present
             Circumstances
             require
             ;
             That
             we
             may
             go
             off
             the
             Stage
             Piously
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Handsomly
             ,
             and
             both
             act
             and
             suffer
             as
             becomes
             Christian
             Martyrs
             .
             Let
             not
             any
             Crueltys
             or
             Affronts
             of
             our
             insulting
             Persecutors
             ,
             be
             able
             to
             discompose
             
             us
             ;
             but
             let
             our
             evenness
             of
             mind
             convince
             them
             ,
             that
             they
             can
             as
             little
             disorder
             us
             in
             our
             way
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             as
             hinder
             us
             to
             get
             to
             our
             Journey
             's
             end
             .
             But
             let
             not
             our
             undauntedness
             appear
             the
             effect
             of
             sullenness
             ,
             or
             fierceness
             ,
             or
             of
             meer
             resolvedness
             ;
             but
             let
             it
             be
             so
             calm
             and
             charitable
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             not
             be
             suspected
             to
             be
             the
             Martyrs
             ,
             rather
             of
             our
             Glory
             ,
             or
             our
             Courage
             ,
             than
             of
             our
             Religion
             .
             Let
             it
             not
             be
             thought
             that
             we
             hate
             life
             ,
             or
             despise
             it
             ,
             but
             only
             that
             we
             think
             it
             a
             cheap
             purchase
             for
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             honour
             of
             owning
             and
             following
             a
             Redeemer
             ,
             who
             ,
             to
             merit
             it
             for
             us
             ,
             took
             the
             Cross
             in
             his
             way
             thither
             .
          
           
             Admonitions
             so
             becoming
             a
             dying
             Christian
             ,
             receiv'd
             such
             an
             entertainment
             ,
             as
             the
             Piety
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             the
             Veneration
             he
             had
             for
             the
             giver
             ,
             might
             justly
             challenge
             ,
             from
             so
             devout
             and
             elevated
             a
             Soul
             as
             that
             of
             Didymus
             :
             whose
             resolute
             answers
             
             to
             the
             Roman
             Officer
             ,
             together
             with
             his
             behaviour
             ,
             as
             well
             since
             as
             before
             he
             made
             them
             ,
             leaving
             his
             Enemies
             no
             more
             expectation
             that
             he
             could
             be
             prevail'd
             with
             ,
             either
             to
             alter
             his
             own
             resolution
             ,
             or
             tempt
             his
             Mistress
             to
             change
             hers
             ;
             he
             was
             appointed
             to
             be
             first
             led
             away
             to
             Execution
             :
             that
             the
             sight
             of
             his
             Blood
             might
             terrifie
             Theodora
             ,
             and
             fright
             her
             into
             a
             care
             to
             preserve
             her
             own
             .
             This
             resolution
             of
             his
             Enemies
             ,
             did
             not
             at
             all
             lessen
             his
             ;
             but
             having
             easily
             obtain'd
             leave
             ,
             from
             the
             Roman
             Officers
             ,
             that
             could
             not
             but
             admire
             his
             Gallantry
             ,
             and
             somewhat
             compassionate
             his
             condition
             ,
             to
             say
             a
             few
             words
             to
             Theodora
             :
             He
             went
             to
             that
             excellent
             Person
             ;
             and
             approaching
             her
             with
             a
             far
             greater
             respect
             ,
             than
             he
             would
             shew
             to
             any
             Power
             ,
             that
             could
             but
             preserve
             that
             life
             ,
             which
             the
             Romans
             were
             going
             to
             take
             from
             him
             :
             He
             told
             her
             :
             Your
             Piety
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             and
             your
             Example
             ,
             making
             me
             presume
             ,
             
             that
             upon
             such
             an
             occasion
             as
             this
             ,
             I
             may
             with
             your
             consent
             ,
             part
             with
             a
             life
             ,
             which
             ever
             since
             I
             had
             the
             Fate
             to
             see
             you
             ,
             has
             been
             so
             much
             at
             your
             disposal
             ;
             I
             am
             now
             going
             without
             reluctancy
             to
             perform
             that
             last
             duty
             ,
             whereto
             Religion
             calls
             me
             .
             But
             thinking
             my self
             oblig'd
             ,
             to
             begin
             with
             the
             most
             difficult
             part
             of
             my
             Martyrdom
             ,
             before
             I
             bid
             farewel
             to
             the
             World
             ,
             my
             enclination
             and
             respect
             ,
             brings
             me
             to
             take
             my
             last
             leave
             of
             the
             fairest
             and
             excellentest
             Person
             in
             it
             .
             If
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             (
             so
             he
             proceeds
             )
             I
             were
             in
             a
             condition
             of
             paying
             you
             any
             further
             dutys
             ,
             my
             humble
             request
             to
             you
             would
             be
             ,
             to
             have
             the
             honour
             of
             your
             further
             Commands
             .
             But
             since
             my
             condition
             leaves
             me
             not
             a
             capacity
             of
             serving
             you
             for
             the
             future
             ,
             one
             of
             my
             last
             Petitions
             to
             you
             must
             be
             ,
             to
             be
             pleas'd
             to
             look
             upon
             my
             past
             Services
             ,
             as
             extremely
             short
             of
             the
             desires
             of
             a
             Person
             ,
             that
             lov'd
             you
             with
             as
             much
             ardency
             ,
             as
             your
             Charms
             themselves
             could
             
             kindle
             ;
             and
             yet
             with
             so
             pure
             a
             flame
             ,
             that
             had
             it
             been
             visible
             ,
             even
             
             Theodora's
             Vertue
             ,
             could
             not
             have
             disapprov'd
             it
             .
             But
             Madam
             ,
             (
             continues
             he
             )
             although
             to
             rescue
             you
             from
             the
             condition
             you
             are
             in
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             danger
             so
             desperate
             that
             I
             would
             not
             joyfully
             attempt
             ,
             if
             I
             were
             again
             at
             liberty
             ,
             and
             tho'
             it
             were
             possible
             I
             could
             survive
             you
             ;
             yet
             I
             am
             too
             much
             concern'd
             for
             the
             nobler
             part
             of
             Theodora
             ,
             to
             wish
             ,
             she
             would
             blemish
             so
             spotless
             a
             life
             to
             save
             it
             .
             Only
             ,
             Madam
             ,
             give
             me
             leave
             to
             be
             so
             kind
             and
             Charitable
             to
             the
             World
             ,
             as
             to
             wish
             that
             Providence
             may
             find
             some
             expedient
             ,
             to
             preserve
             for
             you
             ,
             both
             your
             Crown
             and
             your
             Head
             ;
             and
             that
             you
             may
             arrive
             so
             late
             at
             Heaven
             ,
             as
             to
             have
             time
             to
             bless
             the
             Earth
             with
             a
             long
             and
             Exemplary
             Life
             ;
             and
             may
             you
             lead
             it
             with
             as
             much
             Tranquillity
             ,
             as
             you
             will
             with
             Vertue
             ;
             and
             without
             knowing
             so
             much
             as
             that
             trouble
             ,
             which
             ,
             I
             fear
             ,
             your
             generous
             
             compassion
             may
             now
             and
             then
             offer
             to
             give
             you
             ,
             upon
             the
             remembrance
             of
             the
             faithfulest
             of
             your
             Servants
             .
          
           
             These
             words
             ,
             and
             the
             sad
             occasion
             of
             them
             ,
             having
             drawn
             some
             Tears
             into
             
             Theodora's
             fair
             Eyes
             ;
             though
             the
             cause
             of
             them
             made
             them
             very
             obliging
             to
             Didymus
             ,
             yet
             his
             concern
             for
             her
             quiet
             ,
             presently
             engag'd
             him
             to
             help
             her
             to
             suppress
             them
             ,
             by
             making
             haste
             to
             tell
             her
             ,
             that
             't
             was
             pity
             the
             serenity
             of
             her
             mind
             and
             looks
             ,
             which
             Vertue
             had
             still
             kept
             calm
             ,
             and
             even
             Persecutions
             had
             not
             been
             able
             to
             disorder
             ,
             should
             be
             discompos'd
             by
             any
             other
             thing
             .
             And
             Madam
             ,
             (
             continues
             he
             )
             though
             ,
             being
             confident
             that
             your
             charity
             will
             make
             it
             unnecessary
             for
             me
             to
             beg
             your
             Prayers
             ,
             I
             was
             going
             to
             make
             it
             my
             petition
             to
             you
             ,
             that
             you
             would
             vouchsafe
             now
             and
             then
             to
             cast
             a
             thought
             on
             the
             memory
             of
             a
             Person
             ,
             to
             whose
             mind
             
             you
             were
             constantly
             present
             :
             Yet
             ,
             I
             must
             now
             retract
             that
             humble
             request
             ,
             unless
             you
             are
             pleas'd
             to
             grant
             it
             me
             with
             this
             qualification
             ;
             That
             the
             honour
             you
             do
             me
             ,
             may
             not
             be
             disquieting
             to
             you
             .
             For
             how
             great
             a
             blessing
             soever
             it
             is
             ,
             to
             enjoy
             a
             place
             in
             your
             thoughts
             ;
             yet
             an
             Idea
             must
             represent
             quite
             another
             man
             than
             Didymus
             ,
             that
             should
             ,
             especially
             on
             its
             own
             score
             ,
             become
             troublesome
             to
             Theodora
             ;
             whose
             compassion
             is
             as
             well
             needless
             ,
             as
             undesired
             ;
             since
             't
             is
             injurious
             both
             to
             her self
             and
             me
             ,
             to
             look
             upon
             Him
             as
             a
             person
             to
             be
             pitied
             ,
             that
             is
             going
             to
             receive
             the
             honour
             and
             satisfaction
             ,
             to
             suffer
             in
             her
             sight
             ,
             what
             he
             suffers
             partly
             for
             her
             service
             .
             And
             the
             place
             he
             implores
             but
             in
             her
             favourable
             not
             her
             mournful
             thoughts
             ,
             will
             give
             him
             the
             noblest
             and
             desirablest
             Being
             ,
             that
             he
             can
             have
             upon
             Earth
             ,
             when
             he
             shall
             be
             in
             Heaven
             .
          
           
             The
             things
             which
             Didymus
             said
             ,
             
             and
             the
             pathetical
             way
             he
             said
             them
             in
             ,
             did
             not
             leave
             the
             fair
             Person
             they
             were
             address'd
             to
             ,
             all
             the
             unmov'dness
             of
             mind
             ,
             she
             us'd
             to
             be
             Mistress
             of
             on
             other
             occasions
             .
             And
             considering
             these
             as
             the
             last
             and
             dying
             words
             of
             an
             accomplish'd
             Gentleman
             ,
             that
             had
             so
             highly
             serv'd
             and
             lov'd
             her
             ,
             she
             could
             not
             hinder
             her
             resentments
             from
             making
             her
             ,
             on
             such
             an
             occasion
             ,
             remit
             somewhat
             of
             her
             wonted
             reserv'dness
             .
             Wherefore
             with
             Eyes
             ,
             wherein
             though
             she
             endeavour'd
             to
             suppress
             Tears
             ,
             she
             disclos'd
             an
             extraordinary
             Grief
             ;
             and
             with
             Looks
             ,
             wherein
             both
             Gratitude
             and
             Obligedness
             display'd
             themselves
             ;
             she
             told
             him
             ,
             If
             I
             look'd
             upon
             your
             Vertue
             ,
             generous
             Didymus
             ,
             as
             one
             that
             were
             but
             somewhat
             extraordinary
             ,
             I
             should
             think
             my self
             oblig'd
             to
             make
             excuses
             ;
             and
             seek
             your
             pardon
             for
             having
             been
             ,
             though
             undesignedly
             ,
             so
             accessory
             to
             the
             early
             loss
             of
             a
             life
             ,
             so
             worthy
             to
             be
             a
             long
             one
             .
             But
             what
             you
             
             have
             this
             day
             done
             ,
             makes
             me
             apprehend
             that
             such
             Discourses
             ,
             would
             not
             be
             very
             pleasing
             ,
             to
             one
             that
             delights
             in
             such
             Actions
             .
             But
             do
             not
             think
             ,
             I
             conjure
             you
             ,
             that
             ,
             though
             I
             cannot
             pretend
             to
             merit
             or
             requite
             Services
             of
             so
             unusual
             a
             strain
             as
             yours
             ,
             I
             can
             be
             insensible
             ,
             how
             much
             I
             owe
             to
             them
             ,
             not
             only
             upon
             the
             score
             of
             their
             greatness
             ,
             but
             upon
             that
             of
             the
             handsom
             and
             generous
             way
             wherein
             you
             did
             them
             .
             For
             (
             continues
             she
             ,
             with
             a
             colour
             that
             somewhat
             expounded
             the
             meaning
             of
             what
             she
             was
             going
             to
             say
             )
             if
             after
             the
             Vertue
             and
             Gallantry
             you
             this
             day
             express'd
             ,
             Providence
             had
             thought
             fit
             to
             place
             me
             in
             a
             condition
             of
             making
             you
             Retributions
             ,
             I
             will
             allow
             you
             to
             think
             ,
             that
             in
             chusing
             them
             for
             you
             ,
             I
             should
             have
             been
             very
             much
             ,
             if
             not
             unreservedly
             ,
             guided
             by
             your
             wishes
             .
             Here
             she
             paus'd
             a
             while
             ,
             and
             blush'd
             the
             latter
             ,
             that
             she
             had
             said
             ,
             what
             to
             her
             niceness
             seem'd
             so
             much
             ;
             and
             
             the
             former
             ,
             to
             consider
             whether
             he
             deserv'd
             not
             to
             have
             more
             said
             to
             him
             .
             But
             her
             obliging
             looks
             did
             so
             well
             second
             and
             expound
             ,
             her
             otherwise
             ,
             somewhat
             indefinite
             words
             ,
             that
             
             Didymus's
             Heart
             readily
             understood
             the
             Language
             of
             her
             Eyes
             ;
             and
             her
             Heart
             spoke
             so
             clearly
             in
             her
             Cheeks
             ,
             somewhat
             that
             it
             scrupled
             to
             utter
             by
             her
             Tongue
             ,
             that
             ,
             expressing
             more
             than
             she
             said
             ,
             without
             injuring
             her
             Modesty
             she
             righted
             her
             Gratitude
             :
             her
             passionate
             Admirer
             esteeming
             himself
             more
             highly
             recompenc'd
             ,
             by
             this
             permission
             ,
             to
             suppose
             her
             ,
             kindness
             than
             he
             would
             have
             done
             by
             the
             perfectest
             assurance
             of
             any
             others
             love
             :
             And
             fancying
             ,
             that
             by
             the
             sight
             of
             that
             new
             Fire
             that
             flash'd
             in
             her
             Cheeks
             ,
             he
             could
             descern
             in
             her
             Breast
             such
             a
             resentment
             of
             his
             Services
             ,
             as
             involv'd
             an
             approbation
             of
             their
             cause
             ,
             and
             imply'd
             a
             peculiarity
             for
             his
             Person
             ;
             he
             took
             the
             high
             est
             retribution
             he
             ever
             did
             ,
             for
             
             the
             highest
             he
             ever
             could
             receive
             from
             a
             Lady
             ,
             whose
             Beauty
             and
             Reservedness
             were
             so
             great
             ,
             that
             no
             favour
             of
             her
             granting
             ,
             could
             appear
             little
             .
          
           
             But
             Theodora
             quickly
             recovering
             the
             disorder
             ,
             this
             merited
             Declaration
             had
             put
             her
             into
             ,
             made
             hast
             to
             prosecute
             her
             discourse
             ,
             by
             adding
             ,
             But
             't
             is
             my
             satisfaction
             ,
             and
             will
             I
             hope
             ,
             be
             yours
             ,
             that
             ,
             since
             you
             acted
             upon
             Religions
             score
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             mine
             ,
             you
             will
             not
             want
             a
             recompence
             ,
             greater
             than
             it
             had
             been
             possible
             for
             me
             to
             give
             you
             ;
             since
             in
             rescuing
             me
             upon
             a
             Christian
             account
             ,
             you
             have
             serv'd
             a
             Master
             ,
             that
             is
             able
             most
             richly
             to
             reward
             ,
             even
             your
             Performances
             and
             Sufferings
             :
             And
             doubt
             not
             Didymus
             ,
             (
             continues
             she
             )
             but
             that
             ,
             when
             you
             shall
             once
             be
             possess'd
             of
             a
             Glorious
             and
             Immortal
             Crown
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             you
             will
             have
             no
             cause
             ,
             to
             be
             troubled
             ,
             at
             your
             having
             ,
             upon
             Earth
             ,
             left
             a
             Crown
             of
             Lawrel
             ,
             
             or
             miss'd
             one
             of
             Myrtle
             .
             If
             I
             were
             to
             tarry
             ,
             or
             rather
             languish
             ,
             here
             below
             ,
             as
             many
             years
             as
             your
             mistaken
             kindness
             makes
             you
             wish
             me
             ;
             your
             favours
             have
             been
             so
             extraordinary
             ,
             that
             ,
             without
             being
             guilty
             of
             an
             ingratitude
             that
             would
             be
             so
             too
             ,
             I
             could
             never
             lose
             the
             remembrance
             of
             them
             ,
             nor
             omit
             paying
             you
             the
             highest
             acknowledgements
             ,
             that
             the
             chief
             place
             ,
             not
             only
             in
             my
             memory
             ,
             but
             in
             my
             esteem
             and
             friendship
             ,
             could
             make
             you
             .
             But
             do
             not
             Didymus
             ,
             I
             beseech
             you
             ,
             think
             of
             my
             Surviving
             you
             ,
             when
             the
             holding
             out
             a
             few
             minutes
             longer
             for
             Christ
             ,
             will
             introduce
             me
             into
             a
             Condition
             ,
             where
             I
             shall
             ever
             see
             him
             ,
             and
             never
             offend
             him
             .
             Let
             us
             then
             ,
             (
             concludes
             she
             )
             quit
             the
             thoughts
             of
             this
             World
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             going
             so
             soon
             to
             quit
             ,
             and
             begin
             to
             fix
             them
             on
             those
             joys
             of
             another
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             going
             to
             possess
             for
             ever
             ;
             and
             during
             that
             little
             time
             ,
             that
             is
             requisite
             to
             go
             take
             our
             
             Crowns
             ,
             let
             us
             summon
             up
             all
             our
             powers
             ,
             to
             contribute
             to
             a
             behaviour
             befitting
             such
             Expectations
             .
             Let
             our
             last
             services
             to
             Religion
             ,
             be
             our
             noblest
             ones
             ,
             that
             our
             Deaths
             may
             at
             least
             adorn
             it
             ,
             if
             not
             propagate
             it
             .
             Let
             us
             receive
             the
             last
             effects
             of
             our
             Persecution
             ,
             as
             persons
             that
             do
             not
             deserve
             such
             an
             usage
             ,
             and
             are
             above
             the
             reach
             of
             it
             .
             Let
             us
             aspire
             to
             Christs
             temper
             ,
             in
             his
             cause
             ;
             and
             suffer
             Like
             him
             ,
             as
             we
             suffer
             For
             him
             :
             and
             then
             we
             need
             not
             doubt
             ,
             but
             ,
             in
             spight
             of
             this
             short
             separaration
             we
             are
             yielding
             to
             for
             his
             Sake
             ,
             we
             shall
             joyfully
             ,
             and
             for
             ever
             ,
             meet
             again
             ,
             in
             a
             better
             place
             ,
             and
             in
             an
             inestimably
             happier
             condition
             .
          
           
             Theodora
             had
             scarce
             made
             an
             end
             of
             speaking
             ,
             when
             ,
             all
             things
             being
             in
             a
             readiness
             to
             put
             the
             Judges
             Sentence
             in
             Execution
             ,
             they
             to
             whom
             that
             infamous
             employment
             was
             committed
             ,
             came
             to
             
             bring
             notice
             of
             it
             to
             Didymus
             ,
             who
             ,
             notwithstanding
             the
             reluctancy
             he
             had
             ,
             to
             part
             with
             the
             admirable
             ,
             and
             now
             obliging
             ,
             Theodora
             ;
             thinking
             it
             would
             misbecome
             him
             ,
             to
             stay
             for
             being
             press'd
             on
             such
             an
             occasion
             delay'd
             not
             ,
             with
             all
             the
             resolution
             he
             was
             able
             to
             assume
             ,
             to
             take
             his
             last
             farewel
             of
             her
             .
             This
             cruel
             separation
             ,
             being
             not
             to
             have
             an
             end
             ,
             before
             both
             their
             Lives
             ,
             was
             solemniz'd
             by
             that
             excellent
             pair
             ,
             with
             Gestures
             and
             Expressions
             so
             sensible
             and
             moving
             ,
             that
             ,
             declining
             an
             account
             ,
             which
             I
             could
             not
             attempt
             to
             give
             ,
             without
             sharing
             very
             much
             in
             a
             grief
             ,
             that
             I
             should
             be
             able
             ,
             but
             very
             imperfectly
             ,
             to
             describe
             ;
             I
             shall
             silently
             pass
             over
             the
             Circumstances
             of
             this
             sad
             Separation
             ,
             that
             more
             troubled
             the
             generous
             Lover
             ,
             and
             perhaps
             his
             admirable
             Mistress
             too
             ,
             than
             that
             of
             Soul
             and
             Body
             ,
             which
             was
             presently
             to
             follow
             it
             .
             But
             Didymus
             ,
             now
             finally
             parted
             from
             Theodora
             ,
             whilst
             he
             was
             moving
             towards
             
             the
             place
             of
             his
             Sufferings
             ,
             having
             by
             the
             assistance
             of
             him
             ,
             whose
             Religion
             call'd
             Him
             to
             them
             ,
             assum'd
             a
             temper
             of
             mind
             ,
             suitable
             to
             the
             glorious
             work
             he
             was
             going
             to
             undertake
             ,
             and
             entirely
             dispos'd
             himself
             ,
             after
             having
             done
             all
             that
             became
             a
             Lover
             ,
             to
             suffer
             as
             became
             a
             Christian
             .
          
           
             This
             was
             much
             the
             less
             difficult
             for
             him
             to
             do
             ,
             because
             his
             whole
             past
             life
             was
             an
             excellent
             preparative
             ,
             to
             make
             him
             act
             the
             last
             scene
             of
             it
             worthily
             .
             For
             (
             to
             add
             somewhat
             on
             this
             occasion
             ,
             to
             the
             Character
             given
             of
             him
             in
             the
             first
             Book
             .
             )
             Didymus
             was
             a
             Person
             ,
             in
             whom
             Divine
             Grace
             had
             produc'd
             so
             early
             a
             Piety
             ,
             that
             he
             was
             a
             well
             grown
             Christian
             ,
             before
             he
             was
             come
             to
             be
             a
             full
             grown
             Man.
             And
             judging
             the
             most
             flourishing
             time
             of
             his
             Age
             ,
             to
             be
             ,
             for
             that
             reason
             ,
             the
             fittest
             to
             be
             Devoted
             to
             the
             most
             worthy
             of
             Objects
             ;
             He
             was
             enabl'd
             both
             to
             suppress
             
             the
             heats
             of
             Youth
             ,
             and
             despise
             the
             Vanities
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             even
             while
             that
             usually
             ungovern'd
             Age
             ,
             made
             the
             former
             most
             impetuous
             ,
             and
             gave
             the
             latter
             ,
             the
             great
             endearment
             of
             Novelty
             .
             Nor
             did
             his
             being
             a
             Soldier
             ,
             prove
             an
             Obstacle
             to
             his
             Piety
             .
             The
             Examples
             of
             
               Joshua
               ,
               David
               ,
               Jonathan
            
             ,
             and
             other
             brave
             Warriers
             of
             the
             
               Old
               Testament
            
             ,
             shew
             ,
             that
             Heroick
             Valour
             ,
             may
             be
             accompany'd
             with
             eminent
             Piety
             .
             And
             the
             first
             Proselyte
             the
             Heathen
             World
             presented
             to
             Christianity
             ,
             being
             a
             Captain
             ,
             and
             continuing
             to
             be
             so
             after
             his
             Conversion
             ;
             argues
             ,
             that
             a
             Military
             state
             of
             Life
             ,
             is
             not
             inconsistent
             with
             the
             most
             innocent
             of
             Religions
             .
             And
             for
             Didymus
             ;
             as
             he
             fought
             not
             out
             of
             Fierceness
             ,
             or
             Avarice
             ,
             or
             Ambition
             ;
             but
             to
             exercise
             and
             improve
             his
             Vertue
             ;
             so
             amidst
             all
             his
             Military
             Conflicts
             ,
             he
             was
             still
             careful
             
               To
               fight
               the
               good
               fight
               of
               Faith
               :
            
             And
             being
             taught
             by
             the
             Holy
             Scripture
             ,
             that
             
             
               The
               Life
               of
               Man
            
             here
             on
             Earth
             ,
             
               is
               a
               kind
               of
               Military
               one
               :
            
             He
             us'd
             the
             Roman
             Camp
             as
             a
             School
             to
             a
             higher
             sort
             of
             Warfare
             ;
             where
             ,
             as
             the
             hardships
             are
             greater
             ,
             and
             the
             Victories
             more
             difficult
             ,
             so
             the
             Crowns
             and
             Triumphs
             are
             incomparably
             more
             Valuable
             and
             Glorious
             .
             A
             Person
             thus
             qualify'd
             and
             dispos'd
             ,
             could
             not
             find
             it
             very
             uneasie
             ,
             to
             part
             ,
             for
             his
             Religion
             ,
             with
             a
             Life
             that
             he
             had
             led
             so
             well
             ,
             and
             hazarded
             so
             often
             ;
             nor
             to
             leave
             a
             World
             ,
             That
             Sin
             and
             Persecutions
             embitter'd
             ,
             and
             That
             was
             presently
             to
             be
             left
             by
             Theodora
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             pass
             to
             a
             place
             where
             they
             should
             meet
             to
             be
             Crown'd
             .
             Wherefore
             ,
             resolving
             to
             shew
             that
             the
             approach
             of
             a
             reputedly
             infamous
             Death
             ,
             was
             not
             able
             ,
             either
             to
             shake
             his
             Constancy
             ,
             or
             extinguish
             his
             Charity
             ;
             he
             dispos'd
             himself
             to
             mingle
             in
             his
             last
             Actions
             and
             Sufferings
             ,
             the
             courage
             of
             a
             Roman
             Soldier
             ,
             with
             the
             resignment
             of
             a
             Christian
             
             Martyr
             .
             And
             accordingly
             ,
             walking
             on
             towards
             the
             place
             of
             Execution
             ,
             with
             a
             calmness
             and
             undauntedness
             ,
             that
             could
             scarce
             have
             proceeded
             from
             a
             resolution
             not
             strengthen'd
             by
             Faith
             ;
             as
             soon
             as
             He
             came
             thither
             ,
             He
             look'd
             round
             about
             him
             upon
             the
             Guards
             ,
             and
             other
             Assistants
             of
             this
             sad
             Spectacle
             ,
             in
             such
             a
             way
             ,
             as
             if
             He
             raTher
             pity'd
             them
             ,
             than
             lik'd
             the
             Pity
             ,
             which
             many
             of
             them
             could
             not
             but
             by
             their
             Tears
             express
             for
             Him
             ,
             and
             discours'd
             to
             them
             with
             all
             the
             gracefulness
             ,
             that
             Youth
             and
             Courage
             could
             give
             so
             extraordinary
             a
             Person
             .
             And
             because
             he
             suppos'd
             ,
             that
             (
             as
             't
             was
             usual
             on
             such
             occasions
             of
             Concourse
             )
             there
             were
             among
             the
             Spectators
             ,
             some
             Military
             Men
             that
             were
             Christians
             in
             their
             Hearts
             ,
             though
             they
             had
             not
             been
             call'd
             to
             own
             it
             publickly
             ;
             He
             address'd
             himself
             particularly
             to
             them
             .
             And
             having
             premis'd
             ,
             that
             he
             pretended
             not
             to
             instruct
             them
             as
             barely
             Christians
             ,
             because
             
             he
             doubted
             not
             ,
             but
             he
             had
             been
             prevented
             by
             the
             weighty
             and
             moving
             Sermons
             of
             divers
             burning
             and
             shining
             Lights
             ,
             and
             guiders
             of
             the
             Church
             :
             He
             told
             them
             ,
             he
             would
             confine
             his
             advices
             to
             what
             was
             suitable
             to
             the
             condition
             he
             shar'd
             in
             with
             them
             ,
             of
             being
             Christian
             Soldiers
             .
             And
             then
             he
             briefly
             ,
             but
             pathetically
             ,
             exhorted
             them
             to
             all
             those
             Vertues
             and
             practices
             ,
             that
             might
             recommend
             both
             their
             Persons
             ,
             their
             Profession
             ,
             and
             their
             Religion
             .
             The
             last
             of
             which
             ,
             by
             many
             Arguments
             ,
             (
             which
             his
             example
             made
             the
             more
             Impressive
             )
             he
             perswaded
             them
             ,
             after
             having
             adorn'd
             it
             by
             their
             Lives
             ,
             to
             confirm
             ,
             if
             they
             were
             call'd
             to
             it
             ,
             by
             their
             Deaths
             :
             Without
             forgetting
             ,
             that
             the
             Fearful
             ,
             are
             by
             the
             Scripture
             rank'd
             with
             the
             Vnbelievers
             ,
             
             as
             destin'd
             to
             the
             same
             place
             of
             Torment
             ;
             and
             without
             fearing
             any
             unmerited
             disgrace
             ,
             so
             much
             as
             that
             deserved
             one
             ,
             threatn'd
             by
             
             the
             
               Captain
               of
               their
               Salvation
            
             ,
             
             to
             those
             that
             
               shall
               deny
               him
               before
               Men.
            
             He
             Exhorted
             them
             ,
             by
             their
             Courage
             and
             Obsequiousness
             to
             convince
             their
             unbeleiving
             Superiors
             ;
             that
             the
             valour
             of
             Christians
             could
             be
             eminently
             active
             ,
             when
             their
             Religion
             did
             not
             confine
             it
             to
             be
             passive
             ;
             and
             that
             when
             Enterprises
             ,
             how
             dangerous
             soever
             ,
             were
             as
             just
             and
             noble
             as
             difficult
             ,
             they
             could
             emulate
             ,
             if
             not
             outshine
             ,
             the
             Gallantry
             of
             those
             Deify'd
             Heroes
             they
             refus'd
             to
             Worship
             .
             And
             lastly
             ,
             having
             press'd
             them
             to
             be
             loyal
             to
             the
             Emperor
             ,
             and
             obedient
             too
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             was
             consistent
             with
             Fidelity
             to
             Him
             that
             made
             him
             so
             :
             He
             begg'd
             their
             Prayers
             for
             himself
             ,
             and
             put
             up
             ardent
             ones
             of
             his
             own
             ,
             for
             the
             Church
             ,
             the
             State
             ,
             his
             Persecutors
             ,
             and
             particularly
             ,
             for
             the
             excellent
             Companion
             of
             his
             Martyrdom
             .
             This
             said
             ;
             he
             began
             to
             do
             what
             was
             to
             be
             done
             by
             him
             ,
             towards
             the
             deliverance
             
             of
             his
             Soul
             from
             his
             Body
             ;
             and
             having
             done
             it
             with
             so
             much
             serenity
             of
             Mind
             and
             Looks
             ,
             that
             he
             extorted
             an
             esteem
             of
             his
             vertue
             ,
             even
             from
             those
             that
             destroy'd
             him
             him
             for
             it
             ;
             he
             let
             the
             Executioner
             do
             his
             part
             too
             ,
             (
             which
             probably
             ,
             was
             done
             by
             taking
             off
             his
             Head
             )
             and
             in
             a
             moment
             pass'd
             ,
             from
             being
             a
             suffering
             Member
             of
             the
             Church
             Militant
             ,
             to
             be
             a
             happy
             one
             of
             the
             Church
             Triumphant
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XII
             .
          
           
             THE
             Persecutors
             of
             Theodora
             ,
             hoping
             to
             intimidate
             her
             by
             so
             Tragick
             a
             Spectacle
             ,
             had
             conducted
             her
             to
             a
             place
             ,
             whence
             she
             might
             see
             all
             that
             had
             pass'd
             ;
             of
             which
             't
             will
             easily
             be
             believ'd
             that
             she
             had
             not
             been
             an
             unconcern'd
             Spectator
             :
             Her
             Vertue
             and
             Kindness
             making
             her
             a
             sharer
             in
             his
             Sufferings
             ,
             by
             sympathising
             with
             him
             ,
             and
             by
             endeavouring
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             she
             could
             ,
             to
             relieve
             him
             by
             her
             most
             ardent
             Prayers
             ;
             That
             his
             constancy
             under
             them
             might
             be
             Divinely
             Supported
             ,
             and
             richly
             Crown'd
             .
             But
             while
             her
             thoughts
             were
             ,
             with
             a
             Divine
             grief
             ,
             Solemnising
             her
             loss
             ;
             those
             cruel
             Men
             that
             had
             procur'd
             it
             ,
             being
             desirous
             to
             make
             use
             of
             the
             terrifying
             impressions
             
             they
             suppos'd
             she
             had
             receiv'd
             ,
             while
             they
             were
             fresh
             and
             recent
             ,
             advanc'd
             to
             Theodora
             ,
             bringing
             with
             them
             the
             purposely
             disfigur'd
             remains
             of
             Didymus
             ;
             and
             then
             told
             her
             ,
             that
             she
             was
             now
             convinc'd
             ,
             that
             neither
             Youth
             nor
             Gallantry
             was
             able
             to
             protect
             ,
             from
             the
             fatal
             anger
             of
             the
             Gods
             ,
             those
             that
             obstinately
             refus'd
             to
             Worship
             them
             ;
             and
             therefore
             they
             expected
             ,
             that
             ,
             by
             a
             seasonable
             care
             of
             herself
             ,
             she
             would
             shun
             the
             imitation
             of
             so
             Tragical
             an
             Example
             .
             To
             this
             the
             fair
             Martyr
             replied
             ,
             that
             she
             was
             not
             at
             all
             surpriz'd
             at
             what
             had
             pass'd
             ,
             and
             therefore
             ,
             she
             knew
             not
             why
             she
             should
             be
             terrified
             by
             it
             .
             For
             Didymus
             and
             she
             ,
             and
             all
             other
             considering
             Christians
             ,
             that
             walk
             according
             to
             their
             Masters
             directions
             ,
             were
             wont
             deliberately
             to
             weigh
             the
             consequences
             of
             embracing
             a
             strict
             and
             persecuted
             Religion
             ,
             before
             they
             made
             Profession
             of
             it
             :
             And
             having
             foreseen
             what
             it
             might
             
             cost
             them
             ,
             and
             satisfied
             themselves
             that
             it
             deserv'd
             a
             yet
             higher
             Price
             ;
             they
             were
             not
             discourag'd
             nor
             surpriz'd
             ,
             to
             be
             put
             to
             pay
             that
             price
             ;
             especially
             ,
             when
             it
             open'd
             to
             them
             an
             immediate
             passage
             to
             the
             possession
             of
             what
             they
             gave
             it
             for
             .
             She
             added
             ,
             that
             if
             the
             Example
             of
             the
             generous
             Martyr
             ,
             were
             to
             have
             any
             operation
             upon
             her
             ,
             it
             ought
             not
             to
             fright
             her
             from
             ,
             but
             confirm
             her
             in
             ,
             the
             profession
             of
             a
             Religion
             ,
             whose
             truth
             he
             thought
             worth
             dying
             for
             ;
             and
             which
             ,
             notwithstanding
             all
             the
             handsome
             concerns
             he
             had
             for
             her
             preservation
             ,
             he
             would
             never
             speak
             one
             word
             to
             perswade
             her
             to
             decline
             ,
             for
             the
             protracting
             of
             her
             Life
             .
             His
             Example
             ,
             (
             continues
             Theodora
             )
             lets
             me
             see
             ,
             that
             no
             violences
             upon
             Earth
             ,
             are
             able
             to
             destroy
             a
             Courage
             that
             is
             assisted
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             fights
             in
             view
             of
             the
             glories
             of
             it
             :
             And
             his
             Death
             manifests
             ,
             how
             quick
             the
             passage
             may
             ,
             be
             between
             this
             and
             an
             incomparably
             
             better
             Life
             ;
             and
             clearly
             shews
             ,
             how
             soon
             the
             utmost
             effect
             of
             your
             Cruelty
             ,
             can
             place
             those
             that
             despise
             it
             ,
             above
             the
             reach
             of
             it
             .
             Then
             casting
             her
             mournful
             Eyes
             upon
             the
             saddest
             Object
             that
             ever
             they
             beheld
             ;
             If
             you
             should
             ,
             says
             she
             ,
             be
             so
             inhumane
             ,
             as
             to
             exercise
             any
             further
             Cruelty
             upon
             this
             now
             inanimate
             Prison
             ,
             whence
             his
             glad
             Soul
             has
             Escap'd
             ;
             you
             may
             intend
             him
             a
             mischief
             ,
             but
             he
             will
             not
             feel
             it
             ,
             unless
             it
             be
             in
             the
             encrease
             of
             the
             recompences
             of
             his
             Martyrdom
             .
             You
             may
             ,
             if
             you
             please
             ,
             insult
             over
             his
             dead
             Body
             ;
             and
             those
             whom
             his
             vertue
             made
             his
             Friends
             ,
             may
             some
             of
             them
             be
             troubled
             at
             it
             :
             but
             while
             you
             are
             triumphing
             at
             his
             Death
             ,
             and
             others
             are
             deploring
             it
             ,
             I
             doubt
             not
             ,
             but
             the
             welcomes
             and
             joys
             he
             receives
             in
             the
             blessed
             place
             he
             is
             gone
             to
             ,
             make
             him
             happy
             enough
             ,
             to
             pity
             not
             only
             those
             that
             hate
             him
             ,
             but
             those
             that
             pity
             him
             too
             .
             What
             you
             shew
             me
             as
             the
             Trophy
             of
             your
             
             Power
             ,
             I
             look
             upon
             ,
             as
             that
             of
             his
             Constancy
             :
             and
             for
             what
             you
             presume
             to
             be
             Your
             Victory
             ,
             He
             will
             be
             really
             Crown'd
             .
             The
             Grave
             ,
             (
             continues
             she
             )
             is
             ,
             I
             confess
             ,
             a
             sad
             Prospect
             ,
             to
             them
             that
             look
             no
             further
             ,
             and
             terminate
             their
             sight
             there
             ;
             but
             not
             to
             those
             sufferers
             for
             the
             Truth
             ,
             who
             ,
             with
             the
             Eye
             of
             Faith
             ,
             looking
             beyond
             it
             ,
             see
             all
             those
             Glories
             on
             the
             other
             side
             of
             it
             ,
             that
             expect
             them
             there
             ;
             whereunto
             ,
             as
             some
             kind
             of
             Death
             must
             necessarily
             be
             the
             way
             ,
             so
             Martyrdom
             of
             all
             ,
             other
             is
             the
             Noblest
             .
             Wherefore
             ,
             (
             concludes
             Theodora
             )
             you
             will
             very
             much
             miss
             your
             aim
             ,
             if
             you
             forbear
             bringing
             my
             constancy
             to
             the
             last
             Tryal
             ,
             only
             upon
             hopes
             ,
             that
             Death
             dress'd
             with
             unusual
             Horror
             ,
             by
             being
             besmear'd
             with
             
             Didymus's
             Blood
             ,
             should
             frighten
             me
             into
             Apostacy
             :
             For
             ,
             I
             am
             much
             less
             terrified
             by
             his
             Fate
             ,
             than
             encouraged
             by
             his
             Example
             .
             In
             imitation
             of
             which
             ,
             I
             declare
             to
             you
             once
             for
             all
             ,
             that
             ,
             as
             
             I
             always
             valued
             this
             World
             too
             little
             ,
             to
             be
             much
             afraid
             to
             part
             with
             it
             for
             a
             better
             ;
             So
             I
             shall
             never
             be
             brought
             to
             quitan
             excellent
             Religion
             for
             a
             bad
             one
             ,
             for
             fear
             of
             exchanging
             a
             wretched
             Life
             for
             a
             happy
             one
             .
          
           
             This
             positive
             and
             final
             declaration
             of
             Theodora
             ,
             did
             so
             enrage
             those
             to
             whom
             she
             made
             it
             ,
             that
             ,
             finding
             themselves
             quite
             disappointed
             of
             the
             hopes
             they
             had
             ,
             to
             terrifie
             her
             by
             their
             last
             Expedient
             ,
             
             Didymus's
             Death
             ;
             they
             presently
             led
             her
             away
             to
             participate
             of
             his
             Fate
             ,
             which
             they
             found
             her
             so
             resolv'd
             not
             to
             decline
             .
             And
             now
             the
             admirable
             Theodora
             ,
             having
             receiv'd
             that
             cruel
             ,
             but
             welcom
             Command
             ,
             most
             readily
             dispos'd
             herself
             to
             obey
             it
             :
             And
             considering
             how
             near
             she
             was
             to
             put
             a
             period
             to
             all
             the
             afflictions
             of
             her
             Life
             ,
             by
             the
             gloriousest
             Action
             it
             could
             be
             concuded
             with
             ;
             and
             how
             soon
             she
             should
             enjoy
             the
             happiness
             of
             entering
             Heaven
             ,
             thorough
             the
             streightest
             and
             noblest
             Gate
             at
             
             which
             it
             is
             accessible
             :
             Her
             Beauty
             ,
             that
             was
             before
             admirable
             ,
             appear'd
             more
             so
             than
             ever
             ,
             being
             strangely
             encreas'd
             ,
             by
             the
             effusions
             of
             a
             Coelestial
             Joy
             ,
             that
             did
             too
             much
             abound
             in
             her
             heart
             ,
             not
             to
             flash
             out
             manifestly
             in
             her
             looks
             ;
             to
             whose
             native
             Charms
             ,
             it
             superadded
             so
             much
             of
             Luster
             and
             Majesty
             ,
             that
             she
             seem'd
             (
             upon
             some
             peculiar
             design
             )
             to
             be
             newly
             come
             from
             the
             Heaven
             she
             was
             going
             to
             .
             So
             great
             a
             constancy
             and
             chearfulness
             of
             mind
             ,
             upon
             so
             sad
             an
             occasion
             ,
             wanted
             not
             a
             resembling
             Operation
             ,
             upon
             the
             generality
             of
             the
             wondering
             Assistants
             .
             For
             though
             the
             Report
             ,
             that
             was
             quickly
             spread
             of
             so
             uncommon
             an
             Action
             ,
             as
             that
             of
             Theodora
             ,
             done
             by
             so
             extraordinary
             a
             Person
             ,
             as
             Fame
             had
             represented
             her
             to
             be
             ;
             had
             drawn
             a
             great
             concourse
             of
             People
             ,
             to
             see
             one
             that
             acted
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             look'd
             ,
             so
             handsomly
             :
             Yet
             when
             they
             had
             a
             while
             beheld
             her
             ,
             and
             saw
             the
             cruel
             Instruments
             of
             what
             she
             was
             doom'd
             to
             suffer
             ;
             
             among
             that
             numerous
             Throng
             of
             Spectators
             ,
             there
             were
             none
             that
             were
             not
             Admirers
             ;
             many
             that
             look'd
             on
             her
             with
             dazled
             ,
             and
             few
             without
             flowing
             Eyes
             .
             Every
             sort
             of
             Spectators
             found
             something
             in
             her
             Person
             and
             Condition
             ,
             that
             made
             them
             mournful
             Ones
             .
             The
             Christians
             that
             chanc'd
             to
             mingle
             with
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             Crowd
             ,
             Lamented
             ,
             to
             see
             their
             Religion
             depriv'd
             of
             so
             great
             an
             Ornament
             ,
             and
             so
             shining
             an
             Example
             ;
             though
             their
             grief
             were
             moderated
             by
             considering
             ,
             that
             she
             was
             entering
             into
             a
             most
             happy
             place
             ,
             to
             which
             they
             might
             hope
             ,
             ere
             long
             ,
             to
             follow
             her
             .
             And
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             ,
             't
             was
             no
             small
             credit
             to
             their
             Religion
             ,
             that
             a
             Lady
             of
             her
             Beauty
             ,
             had
             liv'd
             according
             to
             the
             strictest
             Laws
             of
             it
             ;
             and
             a
             Person
             of
             her
             youth
             and
             sex
             ,
             was
             ambitious
             to
             dye
             for
             it
             .
             Those
             among
             the
             Spectators
             that
             yet
             retain'd
             Roman
             Spirits
             ,
             and
             were
             the
             genuine
             Off-spring
             of
             those
             noble
             Ancestors
             ,
             
             that
             scrupled
             not
             in
             Rome
             it self
             ,
             to
             allow
             publick
             marks
             of
             honour
             to
             its
             greatest
             Enemies
             ;
             could
             not
             but
             be
             troubled
             ,
             to
             see
             so
             rare
             a
             thing
             as
             a
             Female
             Hero
             ,
             punished
             for
             a
             Generosity
             ,
             that
             could
             not
             sufficiently
             be
             Rewarded
             ;
             and
             brought
             to
             an
             untimely
             ,
             and
             ,
             in
             popular
             estimation
             ,
             Ignominious
             End
             ,
             for
             having
             followed
             Dictates
             of
             Gratitude
             and
             Piety
             .
             Those
             Infidels
             ,
             on
             whose
             sentiments
             Vertue
             had
             more
             influence
             than
             Superstition
             ,
             were
             very
             much
             dissatisfied
             with
             the
             rigour
             of
             their
             Magistrates
             ;
             thought
             it
             a
             discredit
             to
             their
             Religion
             ,
             to
             use
             such
             barbarous
             ,
             and
             yet
             ineffectual
             Courses
             ,
             to
             fright
             Men
             into
             it
             ;
             and
             they
             thought
             it
             an
             invidious
             service
             to
             their
             Gods
             ,
             to
             destroy
             the
             fairest
             Masterpieces
             they
             had
             made
             .
             But
             those
             that
             seem'd
             most
             to
             deplore
             the
             fair
             Martyrs
             condition
             ,
             were
             those
             that
             were
             dispos'd
             to
             have
             their
             Affections
             wrought
             on
             by
             their
             Eyes
             ,
             and
             were
             apt
             to
             
             be
             influenc'd
             by
             Beauty
             .
             For
             these
             much
             repin'd
             and
             griev'd
             ,
             to
             see
             so
             glorious
             a
             Sun
             reduc'd
             to
             set
             in
             her
             East
             .
             They
             envy'd
             Didymus
             ,
             for
             having
             so
             generously
             serv'd
             and
             suffer'd
             for
             so
             rare
             a
             Person
             ;
             who
             ,
             they
             thought
             ,
             instead
             of
             the
             barbarous
             usage
             she
             receiv'd
             ,
             deserv'd
             to
             be
             as
             happy
             ,
             as
             her
             Smiles
             could
             make
             her
             Adorers
             .
             And
             they
             allow'd
             themselves
             to
             think
             ,
             that
             nothing
             could
             be
             a
             Vertue
             ,
             that
             depriv'd
             the
             World
             of
             so
             much
             Beauty
             .
             In
             short
             ,
             most
             of
             the
             By-standers
             griev'd
             ,
             to
             behold
             a
             person
             ,
             whose
             youth
             would
             pass
             for
             innocency
             ,
             and
             whose
             charms
             would
             ,
             give
             her
             Captives
             among
             Savages
             destroy'd
             in
             Greece
             by
             Romans
             .
             So
             that
             bating
             those
             few
             Barbarians
             ,
             whose
             Superstition
             and
             Malice
             brought
             her
             to
             that
             Condition
             :
             All
             the
             other
             Spectators
             of
             her
             Sufferings
             ,
             were
             deplorers
             of
             them
             too
             :
             And
             many
             to
             that
             degree
             ,
             that
             to
             judge
             by
             Their
             looks
             ,
             and
             those
             of
             our
             fair
             Martyr
             ,
             one
             would
             have
             believ'd
             that
             the
             Assistants
             were
             to
             be
             
             sufferers
             in
             the
             approaching
             Tragedy
             ,
             and
             She
             but
             the
             Spectator
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             And
             now
             the
             Matchless
             Theodora
             came
             to
             the
             place
             ,
             whence
             her
             aspiring
             Soul
             was
             to
             take
             its
             flight
             to
             Heaven
             .
             In
             order
             to
             which
             ,
             she
             first
             look'd
             about
             her
             with
             a
             kind
             of
             pity
             ,
             on
             those
             ,
             that
             either
             never
             ,
             or
             later
             than
             she
             ,
             were
             to
             be
             admitted
             into
             the
             felicity
             she
             was
             presently
             to
             possess
             :
             And
             afterwards
             she
             paus'd
             a
             while
             ,
             to
             recover
             from
             some
             disorder
             that
             she
             was
             put
             into
             ;
             not
             so
             much
             to
             see
             her self
             environ'd
             with
             Guards
             ,
             as
             surrounded
             with
             Gazers
             :
             and
             then
             ,
             though
             her
             Bashfulness
             made
             it
             more
             uneasie
             to
             her
             to
             speak
             to
             the
             Assistants
             ,
             because
             her
             speech
             must
             be
             a
             publick
             one
             ,
             than
             because
             it
             must
             be
             her
             last
             ;
             yet
             with
             a
             Voice
             and
             Gestures
             ,
             wherein
             the
             Modesty
             of
             a
             Virgin
             ,
             and
             the
             Courage
             of
             a
             Martyr
             ,
             were
             happily
             temper'd
             ,
             she
             address'd
             her self
             to
             those
             that
             were
             about
             her
             ,
             in
             such
             as
             the
             following
             terms
             .
          
           
           
             Since
             Custom
             has
             made
             it
             a
             kind
             of
             Duty
             ,
             that
             those
             that
             come
             to
             this
             place
             ,
             should
             say
             something
             to
             the
             Spestators
             ;
             and
             make
             a
             publick
             Confession
             of
             their
             Guilt
             ,
             or
             protestation
             of
             their
             Innocence
             ;
             I
             shall
             in
             part
             do
             both
             the
             one
             and
             the
             other
             .
             For
             I
             will
             〈◊〉
             deny
             ,
             that
             I
             am
             ,
             what
             the
             Laws
             have
             condemn'd
             me
             for
             being
             .
             Yes
             ;
             I
             own
             my self
             a
             Christian
             ,
             and
             in
             spight
             of
             all
             my
             past
             and
             approaching
             sufferings
             ,
             I
             declare
             ,
             that
             I
             think
             it
             an
             honour
             and
             a
             happiness
             to
             be
             so
             .
             But
             on
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             I
             can
             most
             truly
             protest
             ,
             that
             I
             have
             transgress'd
             no
             other
             Roman
             Laws
             ,
             than
             those
             that
             are
             repugnant
             to
             those
             of
             God
             and
             Reason
             .
             And
             since
             we
             Christians
             are
             taught
             by
             our
             great
             masters
             Example
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Precepts
             ,
             not
             only
             to
             forgive
             ,
             but
             to
             love
             our
             Enemies
             ,
             and
             pray
             for
             our
             Persecutors
             ;
             I
             think
             my self
             oblig'd
             ,
             and
             by
             his
             assistance
             find
             my self
             enabled
             ,
             not
             only
             to
             forgive
             ,
             as
             I
             heartily
             do
             ,
             the
             procurers
             of
             my
             Death
             ,
             but
             ardently
             
             to
             implore
             for
             them
             ,
             the
             Blessing
             ,
             and
             the
             unmolested
             Exercise
             of
             a
             Religion
             ,
             that
             they
             see
             I
             value
             more
             than
             I
             do
             my
             Life
             .
             And
             I
             hope
             ,
             those
             in
             Authority
             will
             ,
             by
             the
             frequent
             Executions
             that
             daily
             succeed
             one
             another
             in
             this
             place
             ,
             be
             at
             ●●●gth
             convinc'd
             ,
             how
             ineffectual
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             inhumane
             ,
             a
             way
             they
             take
             ,
             to
             extirpate
             Christianity
             :
             Which
             being
             an
             Heavenly
             Light
             ,
             can
             be
             as
             little
             ruin'd
             by
             the
             Violence
             employed
             against
             it
             on
             Earth
             ,
             as
             Tempests
             can
             Extinguish
             the
             Sun.
             And
             because
             't
             is
             likely
             that
             Charity
             or
             Curiosity
             has
             ,
             among
             other
             Spectators
             ,
             brought
             hither
             some
             Christians
             ,
             I
             shall
             now
             address
             my self
             to
             Them
             ;
             yet
             not
             to
             desire
             their
             Pity
             ,
             but
             their
             Prayers
             ,
             That
             I
             may
             be
             enabled
             to
             overcome
             the
             last
             Enemy
             ,
             Death
             ,
             
               and
               finish
               my
               Course
            
             ,
             in
             such
             a
             way
             ,
             as
             may
             neither
             blemish
             my
             past
             Life
             ,
             nor
             the
             glorious
             Cause
             I
             gladly
             loose
             it
             for
             .
             But
             the
             chief
             part
             of
             my
             Request
             regards
             your selves
             ,
             not
             me
             .
             For
             I
             must
             beg
             
             you
             to
             remember
             ,
             that
             ,
             besides
             an
             All
             seeing
             Eye
             ,
             there
             are
             many
             other
             Eyes
             upon
             you
             ,
             that
             pry
             into
             your
             Actions
             with
             strong
             desires
             to
             find
             them
             Criminal
             :
             And
             that
             though
             the
             truth
             ,
             nor
             the
             subsistance
             of
             Christianity
             does
             not
             ,
             yet
             the
             Credit
             of
             it
             does
             much
             ,
             depend
             upon
             the
             Nature
             of
             your
             Actions
             .
             For
             ,
             as
             all
             your
             personal
             faults
             will
             be
             imputed
             to
             your
             Religion
             ,
             so
             your
             shining
             Vertues
             ,
             will
             probably
             bring
             many
             Infidels
             first
             to
             admire
             ,
             and
             then
             to
             embrace
             Christianity
             ;
             justly
             concluding
             ,
             that
             That
             Religion
             must
             be
             excellent
             ,
             that
             makes
             its
             professors
             so
             ;
             and
             enables
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             enjoins
             them
             ,
             to
             live
             blameless
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             go
             joyfully
             out
             of
             it
             .
             If
             you
             lead
             such
             lives
             ,
             you
             will
             not
             be
             much
             afraid
             of
             Martyrdom
             ;
             which
             will
             but
             send
             you
             sooner
             to
             receive
             those
             inestimable
             rewards
             of
             them
             ,
             that
             Gods
             goodness
             hath
             promis'd
             and
             provided
             .
             I
             wish
             you
             may
             never
             have
             cause
             ,
             nor
             upon
             occasion
             want
             Courage
             ,
             to
             
             enter
             into
             Life
             at
             that
             streight
             Gate
             ,
             that
             I
             am
             now
             going
             to
             pass
             through
             .
             But
             if
             you
             be
             call'd
             to
             that
             way
             of
             glorifying
             God
             ,
             let
             neither
             the
             ignominy
             ,
             nor
             the
             painfulness
             of
             it
             ,
             deter
             you
             .
             'T
             is
             not
             shameful
             ,
             but
             glorious
             ,
             to
             suffer
             for
             God
             ,
             for
             Truth
             ,
             and
             for
             a
             Crown
             ;
             and
             my
             Example
             may
             encourage
             the
             weakest
             of
             you
             to
             expect
             ,
             that
             
               Gods
               strength
               will
               be
               made
               manifest
               in
               your
               Infirmity
            
             ;
             and
             that
             there
             's
             no
             Temptation
             but
             may
             be
             resisted
             and
             vanquished
             ,
             by
             the
             weakest
             hand
             ,
             that
             is
             supported
             and
             strengthen'd
             by
             an
             Almighty
             Arm.
             And
             though
             the
             distance
             between
             Heaven
             and
             Earth
             ,
             our
             Mortal
             and
             our
             Immortal
             state
             ,
             be
             very
             great
             ;
             yet
             the
             passage
             between
             them
             may
             be
             very
             short
             :
             and
             a
             few
             moments
             may
             bring
             us
             to
             exchange
             our
             Agonys
             for
             Extasies
             ,
             and
             pass
             from
             the
             Lamentations
             of
             our
             Friends
             ,
             and
             the
             reproaches
             of
             our
             Persecutors
             ,
             to
             the
             Congratulations
             of
             Angels
             ,
             and
             the
             solemn
             Welcoms
             of
             Him
             ,
             whom
             even
             those
             Heavenly
             Spirits
             adore
             .
          
           
           
             As
             soon
             as
             she
             had
             ended
             this
             Discourse
             ,
             though
             her
             Soul
             ,
             abandoning
             such
             a
             Body
             as
             hers
             ,
             could
             scarce
             any
             where
             but
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             find
             an
             advantage
             by
             a
             change
             of
             Mansion
             ;
             yet
             it
             cheerfully
             dispos'd
             it self
             to
             a
             Separation
             ,
             that
             would
             give
             it
             a
             closer
             and
             more
             immediate
             Union
             with
             the
             Divine
             Object
             of
             its
             Coelestial
             love
             .
             And
             after
             she
             had
             decently
             and
             calmly
             ,
             made
             all
             the
             preparation
             that
             on
             her
             part
             was
             requisite
             for
             what
             she
             was
             to
             suffer
             ,
             she
             thought
             fit
             to
             make
             her
             Lifes
             last
             actions
             ,
             as
             most
             of
             the
             rest
             had
             been
             ,
             acts
             of
             Piety
             ,
             and
             Charity
             .
             And
             therefore
             elevating
             her
             Eyes
             and
             Hands
             towards
             Heaven
             ,
             where
             her
             Heart
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             her
             Treasure
             ,
             had
             been
             plac'd
             long
             before
             ;
             she
             first
             paid
             her
             God
             most
             humble
             thanks
             ,
             for
             the
             Grace
             and
             opportunity
             he
             had
             vouchsaf'd
             her
             ;
             
               not
               only
               to
               believe
               in
               his
               Divine
               Son
               ,
               but
               to
               suffer
               for
               him
            
             ;
             and
             then
             made
             a
             short
             ,
             but
             very
             fervent
             Prayer
             ,
             for
             the
             Church
             ,
             for
             her
             Enemies
             ,
             and
             for
             her self
             .
             
             Which
             done
             ,
             with
             a
             Countenance
             wherein
             serenity
             was
             mingled
             with
             joy
             ,
             she
             gave
             a
             sign
             to
             the
             Executioner
             to
             do
             his
             Office
             ;
             who
             thereupon
             did
             all
             that
             was
             necessary
             to
             compleat
             her
             Martyrdom
             .
             And
             the
             glad
             Soul
             was
             by
             the
             Angels
             ,
             (
             whom
             she
             had
             aspir'd
             to
             resemble
             in
             Purity
             and
             Devotion
             )
             carry'd
             to
             that
             happy
             place
             ,
             whose
             Glorys
             are
             neither
             to
             be
             Conceiv'd
             ,
             
             by
             those
             that
             have
             not
             seen
             them
             ,
             nor
             Describ'd
             by
             those
             that
             have
             ;
             
             such
             supernatural
             Felicities
             ,
             as
             much
             Transcending
             mans
             
             Idea's
             and
             his
             Expressions
             as
             they
             surpass
             his
             Merit
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
           
           THE
           CONTENTS
           OF
           THE
           Second
           Book
           ,
           Of
           the
           MARTYRDOM
           OF
           THEODORA
           .
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             I.
             DIdymus
             hearing
             of
             
             Theodora's
             Captivity
             and
             Danger
             ,
             addresses
             himself
             in
             order
             to
             her
             Rescue
             ,
             to
             a
             Roman
             Officer
             ,
             whose
             Soldiers
             were
             appointed
             for
             her
             
             Guard
             ;
             and
             by
             His
             Favour
             and
             their
             Assistance
             ,
             He
             is
             admitted
             into
             her
             Chumber
             ,
             under
             the
             Notion
             of
             one
             that
             came
             to
             Ravish
             Her.
             
          
           
             CHAP.
             II.
             There
             he
             presses
             her
             to
             make
             an
             Escape
             in
             his
             Clothes
             :
             She
             for
             a
             good
             while
             scruples
             to
             make
             use
             of
             this
             Expedient
             ;
             and
             instead
             of
             it
             ,
             proposes
             that
             he
             would
             Kill
             her
             :
             (
             she
             thinging
             it
             Lawful
             ,
             as
             many
             then
             did
             ,
             to
             die
             by
             anothers
             hand
             ,
             and
             not
             by
             her
             own
             .
             )
          
           
             CHAP.
             III.
             After
             this
             obliging
             contest
             ,
             she
             yields
             to
             change
             Habits
             with
             him
             ,
             and
             thus
             Disguis'd
             makes
             an
             Escape
             ,
             and
             is
             receiv'd
             into
             Irenes
             House
             ,
             with
             great
             wonder
             and
             joy
             .
          
           
             
             CHAP.
             IV.
             Irene
             takes
             this
             occasion
             ,
             to
             represent
             to
             her
             the
             extraordinary
             merits
             of
             her
             Deliverer
             and
             Lover
             .
             But
             Theodora
             ,
             after
             very
             kind
             acknowledgments
             of
             them
             ,
             declares
             the
             Resolution
             she
             had
             made
             against
             Marriage
             ,
             and
             the
             Reasons
             that
             had
             induc'd
             her
             to
             make
             it
             .
          
           
             CHAP.
             V.
             Theodora
             hearing
             what
             had
             happen'd
             to
             Didymus
             after
             her
             Escape
             ,
             resolves
             ,
             though
             earnestly
             diswaded
             by
             Irene
             ,
             to
             attempt
             his
             Rescue
             .
          
           
             CHAP.
             VI.
             A
             Gentleman
             brings
             an
             Account
             ,
             how
             Didymus
             was
             apprehended
             ,
             and
             carried
             before
             the
             Judge
             :
             How
             he
             own'd
             and
             defended
             what
             he
             had
             done
             ,
             and
             his
             Religion
             :
             And
             how
             
             He
             was
             Condemn'd
             in
             spight
             of
             this
             Defence
             .
          
           
             CHAP.
             VII
             .
             Whilst
             Didymus
             is
             leading
             away
             to
             the
             place
             of
             Execution
             ,
             Theodora
             presents
             herself
             before
             the
             Judg
             ,
             and
             begs
             to
             have
             him
             Releas'd
             :
             Offering
             to
             undergo
             the
             Death
             ,
             that
             he
             was
             Condemned
             to
             ,
             on
             her
             account
             .
             She
             speaks
             to
             Didymus
             ,
             to
             perswade
             him
             to
             acquiesce
             in
             that
             Proposal
             :
             Whereupon
             grows
             a
             long
             Contest
             between
             them
             before
             the
             Judge
             .
          
           
             CHAP.
             VIII
             .
             He
             Condemns
             them
             both
             to
             die
             for
             being
             Christians
             .
             Divers
             Discourses
             pass
             between
             them
             ,
             as
             they
             go
             towards
             the
             place
             of
             Execution
             .
          
           
             
             CHAP.
             IX
             .
             A
             Roman
             Officer
             strives
             to
             perswade
             Didymus
             to
             change
             his
             Religion
             ,
             by
             several
             Arguments
             :
             To
             all
             which
             He
             gives
             him
             such
             resolute
             Answers
             ,
             That
             ,
          
           
             CHAP.
             X.
             The
             Roman
             despairing
             to
             gain
             him
             ,
             endeavours
             to
             engage
             him
             to
             perswade
             Theodora
             to
             save
             her
             Life
             ;
             which
             Didymus
             refuses
             to
             do
             ,
             for
             Reasons
             which
             includes
             an
             Encomium
             of
             Her
             Vertues
             .
          
           
             CHAP.
             XI
             .
             None
             of
             their
             Attempts
             succeeding
             ,
             both
             the
             Martyrs
             are
             commanded
             to
             be
             put
             to
             Death
             .
             The
             farewel
             Speeches
             tbat
             past
             betwixt
             them
             .
             Their
             final
             Separation
             ;
             immediately
             after
             which
             ,
             Didymus
             is
             first
             Executed
             .
          
           
             
             CHAP.
             XII
             .
             Theodora
             ,
             being
             in
             vain
             solicited
             to
             shun
             the
             like
             tragical
             Fate
             ,
             after
             a
             resolute
             Answer
             to
             her
             Persecutors
             ,
             and
             a
             short
             Speech
             to
             the
             By-standers
             ,
             acompany'd
             with
             a
             Prayer
             for
             them
             ;
             Receives
             the
             Crown
             of
             Martyrdom
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A28990-e1300
           
             Jonah
             1.
             12.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             11.
             38.
             
          
           
             1
             Thess
             4.
             13.
             
          
           
             Act.
             19.
             25.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             7.
             17.
             
          
           
             Psal
             .
             16.
             11.
             
          
           
             1
             John
             ,
             3.
             16.
             
          
           
             Tertul.
             
          
           
             Pliny
             .
          
           
             Acts
             5.
             41.
             
          
           
             Matt.
             11.
             4.
             
          
           
             Luke
             9.
             31.
             
          
           
             1
             Thes
             .
             2.
             19
             ,
             20.
             
          
           
             Dan.
             10.
             13.
             
          
           
             Revel
             .
             21.
             8.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             11.
             10.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             11.
             9.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             12.
             4.