Sociable Letters 261 



expresses a great self-dotage, and a very ill nature; 

 besides, they seem more covetous than generous, to 

 desire all the praise, and to give their neighbour not 

 any; in truth, writers should never speak of them- 

 selves, but in praefatory epistles, or in a history of 

 their own lives, wherein they may freely declare their 

 own acts and opinions. But, Madam, I wish that all 

 writers would use their pens as your noble Lord and 

 husband orders his discourse in speech, to speak the 

 best of all men, and to bury their faults in silence, 

 which would make virtue an emulation, and faults 

 such a novelty, as men would be ashamed to commit 

 them. Whereas declaring former faults, causes prece- 

 dent faults no strangers, nay, it causeth precedent 

 faults to be more confident and active; but, Madam, 

 you are so innocent and harmless, as you are not 

 acquainted with the faults of others, for which I am, 

 Madam, 



Your must humble servant and faithful friend. 



A PREACHING SISTER 



Madam, — ^Since I last writ to you, I have been to 

 hear Mrs. P. N. preach, for now she is, as I did believe 

 she would be, viz. a preaching sister. There were a 

 great many holy sisters and holy brethren met 

 together, where many took their turns to preach, for 

 as they are for liberty of conscience, so they are for 

 liberty of preaching, but there were more sermons 

 than learning, and more words than reason, Mrs. 

 P. N. began, but her sermon I do not well remember, 

 and after she had sighed and winded out her devotion, 

 a holy brother stood up and preached thus, as I shall 

 briefly relate to you. 



