Ecclesiastical History of England, Volume 2—The Church of the CommonwealthStoughton, John
History
Ecclesiastical History of England, Volume 2—The Church of the Commonwealth
Stoughton, John
Great Britain -- Church history
In the heart of the Royalist camp, and amidst bloodshed on the battle
field, there had been--notwithstanding the prevalent profanity and
licentiousness of the Cavaliers--some strong stirrings of spiritual
life in the hearts of English gentlemen, worthy of that name, of which
a memorial exists in a letter written by John Trelawne, to the Lady
Grace, announcing the death of her honoured lord, Sir Bevill Grenville.
"Honourable Lady,--How can I contain myself or longer conceal my
sorrow for the death of that excellent man, your most dear husband
and my noble friend. Be pleased with your wisdom to consider of the
events of the war, which is seldom or never constant, but as full of
mutability as hazard. And seeing it hath pleased God to take him from
your ladyship, yet this may something appease your great flux of tears,
that he died an honourable death, which all his enemies will envy,
fighting with invincible valour and loyalty the battle of his God, his
King, and country. A greater honour than this no man living can enjoy.
But God hath called him unto Himself to crown him (I doubt not) with
immortal glory for his noble constancy in this blessed cause. It is
too true (most noble lady) that God hath made you drink of a bitter
cup, yet, if you please to submit unto his Divine will and pleasure by
kissing His rod patiently, God (no doubt) hath a staff of consolation
for to comfort you in this great affliction and trial. He will wipe
your eyes, dry up the flowing spring of your tears, and make your bed
easy, and by your patience overcome God's justice by His returning
mercy. Madam, he is gone his journey but a little before us. We must
march after when it shall please God, for your ladyship knows that none
fall without His providence, which is as great in the thickest shower
of bullets as in the bed. I beseech you (dear lady) to pardon this my
trouble and boldness, and the God of heaven bless you and comfort you,
and all my noble cousins in this your great visitation, which shall be
the unfeigned prayers of him that is, most noble Lady,
"Your Ladyship's hon. and humble servant,
"JOHN TRELAWNE.[451]
"Trelawne, 20th July, 1643."
And when the wars were over, and peace had been established, and the
usurper whom they feared was sitting upon the throne, many a Royalist
lady and gentleman would think of their past sorrow and cherish their
hopes of a celestial future in the tone and spirit of this beautiful
epistle.
[Sidenote: _John Evelyn's Son._]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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