A Crystal Glass for christian women: wherein, they may see a most wonderful and rare example, of a right virtuous life and Christian death: as by the discourse following, may appear.  
CAlling to remembrance (most Christian reader) the final end of man's creation, which is to glorify God, and to edify one another in the way of true godliness, I thought it my duty aswell in respect of the one, as in regard of the other, to publish this rare and wonderful example of the virtuous life, and Christian death of Mistress Katherine Stubbes, who whilst she lived, was a Mirror of womanhood, and now being dead, is a perfect pattern of true Christianity. She was descended of honest and wealthy parents. Her father had borne diverse offices of worship in his company, 
Her Parentage  amongst whom he lived in good account, credit & estimation all his days: he was zealous in the truth, and of a sound religion. Her mother was a Dutch woman, both discreet and wise, of singular good grace & modesty: and which did most of all adorn her, she was both religious, and also zealous. This couple living together in the City of London certain years, it pleased God to bless them with Children, of whom this Katherine was youngest save one. But as she was youngest save one by course of nature: so was she not inferior to any of the rest, or rather far excelled them all without comparison by many degrees, in the induments & qualities of the mind. At xv. years of age (her father being dead) her mother bestowed her in marriage to one Master Philip Stubbes, 
Her marriage.  with whom she lived four years & almost a half, very honestly and godly, with rare commendations of all that knew her, as well for her singular wisdom, as also for her modesty, courtesy, gentleness affability & good government. And above all, for her fervent zeal which she bore to the truth, wherein she seemed to surpass many: in so much, as if she chanced at any time to be in place where either Papists, or Atheists were, and heard them talk of Religion, of what countenance or credit soever they seemed to be, she would not yield a jot, nor give place unto them at all, but would most mightily justify the truth of God, against their blasphemous untruths, and convince them, yea, & confound them by the testimonies of the word of God. 
Her godly ●eale.  Which thing how could it be otherwise? for her whole heart was bend to seek the Lord, her whole delight was to be conversant in the scriptures, & to meditate upon them day and night: in so much that you could seldom or never have come into her house, and have found her without a bible, or some other good book in her hands. And when she was not reading, she would spend the time in conferring, talking and reasoning with her busband of the word of God, and of religion: ask him, what is the sense of this place, and what is the sense of that? How expound you this place, and how expound you that? what observe you of this place, and what observe you of that? so that she seemed to be as it were, 
Her love of ●he word of God.  ravished with the same spirit that David was, when he said: The zeal of thy house hath eaten me up. She followed the commandment of our saviour Christ, who biddeth us to search the scriptures, for in them ye hope to have eternal life. She obeyed the commandment of the Apostle, who biddeth women to be silent, and to learn of their husbands at home. She would suffer no disorder or abuse in her house, to be either unreproved, 
Her gentleness.  or unreformed. And so gentle was she & courteous of nature, that she was never heard to give any the lie in all her life, nor so much as to (thou) any in anger. She was never known to fall out with any of her neighbours, nor with the least child that lived, much less to scold or brawl, as many will now a days for every trifle, or rather for no cause at all: & so solitary was she given, that she would very seldom or never, & that not without great constraint (& than not neither, except her husband were in company) go abroad with any, either to banquet or feast, to gossip or make merry (as they term it) in so much that she hath been noted to do it in contempt and disdain of others.  
When her husband was abroad in London, or elsewhere, there was not the dearest friend she had in the world that could get her abroad to dinner or supper, or to any disports, plays, interludes, or pastimes whatsoever: neither was she given to pamper her body with delicate meats, wines, or strong drinks, but rather refrained them altogether, saying, that we should eat to live, and not live to eat. And as she excelled in the gift of sobriety, so she surpassed in the virtue of humility. For it is well known to divers yet living, that she utterly abhorred all kind of pride both in apparel, and otherwise. She could never abide to hear any filthy or unseemly talk of scurrility, bawdry or uncleanness, neither swearing or blaspheming, cursing or banning, but would reprove them sharply, showing them the vengeance of GOD due for such deserts. And which is more, there was never one filthy, unclean, undecent, or unseemly word heard to come forth of her mouth, nor ever once to curse or ban, to swear, or blaspheme God any manner of way: but always her speeches were such, as both might glorify God, 
Her integ●●●tie of life.  and minister grace to the hearers, as the Apostle speaketh. And for her conversation, there was never any man or woman that ever opened their mouths against her, or that ever either did or could once accuse her of the least shadow of dishonesty, so continently she lived, and so circumspectly she walked, eschewing even the very outward appearance or show of evil.  
Again, for true love and loyalty to her husband, & his friends, she was (let me speak it without offence) I think, the rarest Paragon in the world: for she was so far of from dissuading her husband to be beneficial to his friends, that she would rather persuade him to be more beneficial to them. If she saw her husband merry, than she was merry: if he were sad, she was sad: 
Her demea●nour toward her husband's▪  if he were heavy or passionate, she would endeavour to make him glad: if he were angry, she would quickly please him, so wisely she demeaned herself towards him. She would never contrary him in any thing, but by wise counsel, and sage advice, with all humility, & submission, seek to persuade him. And so little given was she to this world, that some of her neighbours marveling why she was no more careful of it, would ask her sometimes saying: Mistress Stubbes, why are you no more careful for the things of this life, but sit always poring upon a Book, and reading? to whom she would answer: if I should be a friend unto this world, I should be an enemy to GOD: 
Her little 〈◊〉 of the worl●▪  for GOD and the world are two contraries. john biddeth me, love not the world, nor any thing in the world: affirming, that if I love the world, the love of the father is not in me. Again, Christ biddeth me, first seek the kingdom of heaven, and the righteousness thereof, and then all these worldly things shall be given to me. Godliness is great riches, if a man be content with that that he hath. I have chosen with good Mary in the 10. of Luke, the better part, which shall never be taken from me. God's treasure (she would say) is never drawn dry. I have enough in this life, God make me thankful, and I know I have but a short time to live here, and it standeth me upon to have regard to my salvation in the life to come. Thus, the godly young Gentlewoman held on her course three or four years after she was married: at which time it pleased God that she conceived with a man Child: after which conception she would say to her husband, and many other her good neighbours and friends yet living, 
●er prophesy 〈◊〉 her death.  not once, nor twice but many times, that she should never bear more Children: that, that child should be her death, & that she should live but to bring that child into the world. Which thing (no doubt) was revealed unto her by the spirit of God, for according to her prophecy so it came to pass.  
The time of her account being come, she was delivered of a goodly man child, with as much speed, and as safely in all women's judgements, as any could be. And after her delivery, she grew so strong, that she was able within four or five days to sit up in her bed, and to walk up and down her chamber, and within a fortnight to go abroad in the house, 
●er delivery of ●●ilde.  being thoroughly well, and past all danger as every one thought. But presently upon this so sudden recovery, it pleased God to visit her again, with an extreme hot and burning quotidian Ague, in which sickness she languished for the space of six weeks, or there about. During all which time, she was never seen, nor perceived to sleep one hour together, neither night nor day, and yet the Lord kept her (which was miraculous) in her perfect understanding, sense, and memory, to the last breath, praised be his holy name therefore. In all her sickness, 
●er sickness.  which was both long and grievous, she never showed any sign of discontentment, or of impatiency: neither was there ever heard one word come forth of her mouth, sounding either of desperation, or infidelity: of mistrust, or distrust, or of any doubting or wavering, but always remained faithful and resolute in her God. And so desirous was she to be with the Lord, that these golden sentences were never out of her mouth. I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ. And, 
Her desire to be with God▪  oh miserable wretch that I am, who shall deliver me from this body subject to sin? Come quickly Lord jesus, come quickly. Like as the heart desireth the water springs, so doth my soul thirst after thee, O God. I had rather be a doorekeeper in the house of my God, then to dwell in the tents of the wicked: with many other heavenly sentences, which (lest I should seem tedious) I willingly omit. She would always pray in her sickness absolutely, that God would take her out of this miserable world: and when her husband and others would desire her to pray for health, if it were the will of God: She would answer, I beseech you pray not that I should live, for I think it long to be with my God. Christ is to me life, and death is to me advantage. I cannot enter into life but by death, & therefore is death the door or entrance into everlasting life to me. 
Her absolute prayer for death.  I know and am certainly persuaded by the spirit of God, that the sentence of my death is given already, by the great judge, in the court or parliament of heaven, that I shall now departed out of this life: and therefore pray not for me, that I might live here, but pray to God to give me strength & patience, to persever to the end, & to close up mine eyes in a justifying faith in the blood of my Christ. Sometimes she would speak very softly to herself, & sometimes very audibly these words, doubling them an hundred times together. Oh my good God, why not now? Why not now, oh my good God? I am ready for thee, I am prepared, oh receive me now for thy Christ's sake. Oh send thy messenger death to fetch me, send thy sergeant to arrest me, thy pursuivant to attach me, thy herald to summon me, oh send thy jailor to deliver my soul out of prison, for my body is nothing else but a stinking prison to my soul. Oh send thy holy Angels to conduct my soul unto the everlasting kingdom of heaven. 
Her godly meditation.  Other sometimes she would lie as it were in a slumber, her eyes closed, and her lips uttering these words very softly to herself: oh my sweet jesus, oh my love jesus, why not now? sweet jesus why not now? Oh sweet jesus, pray for me, pray for me, sweet jesus, repeating them many times together. These and infinite the like were her daily speeches, and continual meditations: & never worse word was there heard to come forth of her mouth during all the time of her sickness. She was accustomed many times as she lay, very suddenly to fall into a sweet smiling, and sometimes into a most hearty laughter, her face appearing right fair, red, amiable and lovely: and her countenance seemed as though she greatly rejoiced at some glorious sight. 
Her glorious 〈◊〉.  And when her husband would ask her why she smiled and laughed so: she would say: if you saw such glorious visions, and heavenly sights as I see, you would rejoice and laugh with me: for I see a vision of the joys of heaven, and the glory that I shall go too: and I see infinite millions of Angels attendant upon me, and watching over me, ready to carry my soul into the kingdom of heaven. In regard whereof, she was willing to forsake herself, her husband, her child and all the world beside. And so calling for her child, which the Nurse brought unto her, she took it in her arms, and kissing it, said: God bless thee my sweet babe, and make thee an heir of the kingdom of heaven: and kissing it again, delivered it to the nurse, with these words to her husband standing by. Beloved husband, I bequeath this my child unto you, he is no longer mine, 
Her request to her husbad for the bringing up of his child.  he is the Lords and yours, I forsake him, you, and all the world, yea and mine own self, and esteem all things dung, that I may win jesus Christ. And I pray you sweet husband bring up this child in good letters, in learning and discipline, and above all things, see that he be brought up and instructed in the exercise of true religion.  
The child being taken away, she espied a little Puppy or Bitch, (which in her life time she loved well) lying upon her bed: she had no sooner espied her, but she beat her away, and calling her husband to her, 
Her hatred to worthy  said: Good husband, you and I have offended God grievously in receiving this bitch many a time into our bed, we would have been loath to have received a Christian soul, purchased with the precious blood of jesus Christ, into our bed, and to have nourished him in our bosoms, and fed him at our table, as we have done this filthy our many a time: the lord give us grace to repent for it and all other vanities. And afterward could she never abide to look upon the Bitch any more. Having thus godly disposed of all things, 
Her ecstasy or swoon.  she fell into an ecstasy, or into a trance, or swoon, for the space almost of a quarter of an hour, so as every one thought she had been dead. But afterward she coming to herself spoke to them that were present (as there were many both worshipful & others) saying. Right worshipful & my good neighbours & friends, I thank you all for the great pains you have taken with me, in this bed of my sickness: & whereas I am not able to requite you, I beseech the Lord to reward you in the kingdom of heaven. And for that my hourglass is run out, & that my time of departure hence is at hand, I am persuaded for three causes to make a confession of my faith, before you all. The first cause that moveth me hereto is, 
The causes moving he● to make co●●fession of 〈◊〉 faith.  for that those (if there be any such here) that are not thoroughly resolved in the truth of God, may hear and learn what the spirit of God hath taught me out of his blessed & all saving word. The second cause that moveth me is, for that none of you should judge that I died not a perfect christian & a lively member of the mystical body of jesus christ, & so by your rash judgement might incur the displeasure of God. The third and last cause, is for that, as you have been witnesses of part of my life: so you might be witnesses of my faith and believe also. And in this my confession, I would not have you to think, that it is I that speak unto you, but the spirit of God which dwelleth in me, and in all the elect of God, unless they be reprobates: for Paul saith, Ro. 8. If any one have not the spirit of Christ dwelling in him, he is none of his. This blessed spirit hath knocked at the door of my heart, and God hath given me grace to open the door unto him, & he dwelleth in me plentifully. And therefore I pray you give me patience a little, and imprint my words in your hearts, for they are not the words of flesh and blood, but of the spirit of God, by whom we are sealed to the day of redemption.  

A most heavenly confession of the Christian faith, made by this blessed servant of God Mistress Katherine Stubbes, a little before she died.  
ALthough the Majesty of God, be both infinite and unspeakable, and therefore according to his excellent dignity, can neither be conceived in heart, nor expressed in words: yet to the end you may know what that God is, in whom I believe, as far as he hath revealed himself unto us in his holy word, I will define him unto you, as the spirit of God shall illuminate my heart. I believe therefore with my heart, and freely confess with my mouth, here before you all, that this God in whom I believe, 
●otable 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 trinity.  is a most glorious spirit, or spiritual substance, a divine essence, or essential being, without beginning or ending, of infinite glory, power, might and Majesty, invisible, inaccessible, incomprehensible, and altogether unspeakable. I believe & confess that this glorious Godhead, this blessed substance, essence, or being, this divine power which we call God, is divided into a trinity of persons, the father, the son, and the holy spirit, distant only in names and offices, but all one, and the same, in nature, in essence, substance, deity▪ majesty▪ glory, power might and eternity, 
〈◊〉 God is.  I believe and confess that God the father, the first person in this blessed Trinity, is from everlasting, before & beyond all times, not made, nor created nor begotten of any, but the only maker, creator and begetter of all things whatsoever. I believe & confess, that Christ jesus the son of God, is the second person in this glorious Trinity, not created or made of any, but begotten of his father before all Eternity, time or worlds. I believe the holy spirit to be the third person in this sacred Trinity, not made of any, nor begotten, but proceeding both from the father & the son, as the very wisdom and inspiration of them both. I do believe & confess that this most glorious Trinity is consubstantial, & coessential together, none before or after other, none greater or lesser than another, of equal power, of equal majesty, of equal glory & eternity (as before.) I believe and confess, that this God, 
〈◊〉 created 〈◊〉 things 〈…〉.  this blessed Trinity, not only created all things both visible and invisible, spiritual and corporal, where or whatsoever, but also that he upholdeth, continueth, and maintaineth them by his almighty power, & unsearchable wisdom, through the secret wisdom of his spirit. I believe and confess, that this God ordereth and disposeth all things according to his good pleasure and will, and that he also foreseeth all things by his providence and prescience, so that nothing cometh to pass by Fortune chance, 
〈◊〉 fortune or 〈◊〉.  or casualty to him, though so it seemeth fortuna●l, or casual to us, who see neither the beginnings, the middles, the ends, the causes, or effects of things, before they come to pass. I believe and confess, that the Lord our God, having created the universal engine and frame of this world, with all things contained therein, for the benefit and use of man only, the last of all other creatures even the sixth day created man, after his own similitude and likeness, holy, pure, good, innocent, and in every part perfect and absolute: giving him also wisdom, discretion, understanding and knowledge above all other creatures (the holy Angels set apart.) And which was more, 
Man's perfection.  he gave unto him a certain power, strength and faculty (which we call free-will) by force whereof he might have continued and remained for ever in his integrity and holiness, if he had would. But he had no sooner received this inestimable blessing of free-will, 
Manifest.  of innocency, and integrity, but by hearkening to the poisoned suggestions of the wicked Serpent, and by obeying his persuasions, he lost his free-will, his integrity and perfection, and us all his posterity to the end of the world: and so of a Saint in heaven, he (and we in him) became firebrands of hell, vassals of Satan, Miscreants, Reprobates, Abjects and Castaways, before the face of God for ever. Then, when there was no other way or means for man to be saved in the justice of God, I constantly believe and confess, that God the Father in the multitude of his mercies, when the fullness of time was come, 
Christ his incarnation.  sent his own Son, Christ jesus forth of his own bosom into this miserable world, to take our nature upon him, and that in the womb of a virgin, without spot or blemish of sin, and without the help of man by the wonderful operation and overshadowing of the holy ghost.  
And as I constantly believe that jesus Christ is come in the flesh (according to the scriptures) so I unfeignedly believe, that he hath offered up his blessed body upon the altar of the Cross, as a sacrifice propitiatory, satisfactory, and expiatory, for the sins of ●he whole world, and for me the chiefest of all sinners: By virtue, power, 
Christ his sacrifice.  and efficacy of which Sacrifice and oblation only, I trust and believe to be saved, and by the merits of the sh●ading of the blood of this immaculate lamb, Christ jesus, to be set free, & pardoned of all my sins whatsoever. And whereas the professed enemies of GOD the Papists do brag of their good works, of their merits, righteousness and deserts, I here before you all, in the presence of God, & his holy Angels, do utterly renounce, abandon & forsake all my own merits, righteousness, and deserts as filthy dung, acknowledging my merits to be the merits of GOD in Christ, who is made unto me righteousness, holiness, sanctification and redemption. For I am assured that if the Lord should weigh my very righteousness in the balance of his justice, rewarding me according to the same, I should receive nothing but just damnation for my deserts. I do further believe and confess, that jesus Christ having suffered death upon the Cross for me and all mankind, 
 rose again to life the third day after, by the spiritual power of his Godhead, conquering thereby sin, death, hell, Satan and all his hellish band. I do also believe, that the same jesus Christ, after his most victorious resurrection, ascended into heaven in the sight of the Apostles and holy Saints, 
 a cloud receiving him out of their sight, there not only to prepare a place for us, but also to make continual prayer and intercession for us to God the Father: at whose right hand he now sitteth, in equal glory and bliss for evermore. 
〈◊〉 heavens 〈◊〉 hold 〈…〉 body till the 〈◊〉 of judge 〈◊〉.  I do constantly believe, that the Heavens must hold his corporal presence till the day of judgement: that his blessed body is circumscriptible, and contained in one local place, and can not be present in every place▪ at one and the same time, his Deity and his Godhead notwithstanding being in every place at once, and fulfilling all places, and yet contained in no place. For it is against the nature of a true body, to be present in many places at once. And therefore the Papists in effect deny that body of Christ, to be a true, essential and natural body, by teaching it to be present in their so many and sundry Pixes at once.  

●hrist his coming to ●●dgement, ●nd of our ●●surrection.  I do believe and confess, that this jesus Christ shall come at the latter day of judgement, when the number of Gods elect shall be fulfilled, in the same likeness that he was seen go up into heaven, and with the same natural body, to judge both the quick and the dead, and to reward every man according to his works. At which day I do constantly believe, that all flesh, (I mean of mankind only) shall rise again by the omnipotent power of God, whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself, not one hair of our heads lacking. Then death shall yield up his dead, the grave his dead, the sea his dead, & hell his dead. And then shall the souls of the godly, of the elect and chosen of God enter into their own bodies again, and be reunited together, their bodies now being renewed, altered and changed: for being before corruptible bodies, now they shall be made incorruptible: being before mortal bodies, now they shall be made immortal: being before filthy and unclean, now they shall be made clean and pure, like to the glorious body of Christ jesus, shining as the Sun for ever in the kingdom of heaven, where they shall dwell for ever, in such joy as no heart can think, no tongue express, nor pen is able to write. Upon the other side, the souls of the wicked and reprobate, shall be united to their proper bodies, and both together be cast into hell fire, where is nothing but weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth for evermore.  
Further, I believe and confess, that my soul, and the souls of all the elect children of God, 
Wither the souls of the faithful do go after their departure out o● their bodies.  immediately after their departure out of their bodies, do go into the kingdom of heaven, into the hands of God, being guided & conducted thither by the ministery of the Angels of God, & not into Purgatory, Limbo patrum, or any other place whatsoever. For whither the soul of Christ was received when he cried, Father into thy hands I commend my spirit: thither are all the souls of the children of God, that die in the true faith of jesus Christ, received immediately after their departure hence. In the Gospel after saint Luke, we read that the soul of poor Lazarus, of blessed Lazarus, strait after his death was carried into heaven by the Angels of God, and not into popish Purgatory, which was not hatched almost in 200. years after. The soul of the penitent and faithful thief, was carried straightway into Paradise: for so Christ told him: this day shalt thou be with me in Paradise: that is in the kingdom of heaven, and not in Purgatory. Salomo saith, cap. 3. The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God, and there shall no torments come nigh them. Christ saith, he went into heaven to prepare a place for us, than not into Purgatory, except they will have their Purgatory to be in heaven. He saith further: that where he is, there shall his servants be also. 
Purgatory of the Papists blasphemous▪  But I hope they will not say that Christ is in Purgatory, but in Heaven, and thither shall all the souls of the faithful ascend immediately. And therefore is the opinion of popish Purgatory, both blasphemous, & sacrilegious. But the true Purgatory in deed is this, the blood of jesus Christ which cleanseth us from all sin, no other Purgatory do I know of by the word of God, nor acknowledge. I believe also and confess, that man is justified, that is, pronounced just before God, freed from sin, and all punishments due for sin, by●r true and lively ●aith in the blood of Christ only, 
〈◊〉 justified ●y faith only.  and not by his works, merits, righteousness, or deserts: neither yet by any inherent righteousness in himself, as t●e blasphemous Papists teach, nor by any other means whatsoeu●r. And therefore the Apostle to th● Rom. 4. was 〈◊〉 to say, that if Abraham were justified by works, than had he wherein to rejoice, but not with God: for he saith afterward in the fift chapter: Being justified by faith we have peace towards God, through jesus Chrst. And therefore do I constantly believe, that we are justified by faith only, and not by the works of the law: for if good works could ●aue us than had Christ died in vain. And if they could sa●e us, why should they not be called by the name of Saviour? But when I say that Faith only justifieth, I mean not a barren faith, or a dead Faith without good works, such as the devils have, but I speak of such a Faith as bringeth forth good works in great plenty: and can no more be without good works, than the Sun without light, the fire without heat or the water without his natural moisture. 
Why we ●hould do ●ood works.  If you would know why we should do good works, if we cannot be saved by them, I will tell you: we must do good works for four causes, chief. First, to show our obedience to him that commands us: secondly, to glorify him that created us and ordained good works also that we should walk in them. Thirdly, for the mutual lou● and charity which we bear towards the brethren. Fourthly, to make our salvation sure and certain unto us, as the Apostle speaketh. For these & other causes must we do good works, & yet must we not trust to be saved by them: for there is no other name given under heaven, whereby man can be saved, but only the name of jesus Christ. I do also constantly believe & contesse, 
●he canonical scriptures ●he infallible ●ord of God.  ●hat all the canonical scriptures are the infallible word of God▪ and that the holy spirit of God, was, & is the only author of them & that holy men of God, spoke & writ them, as they were taught and inspired by the spirit of God, as blessed Peter beareth record. I also believe that the holy scriptures do contain all things necessary to salvation, without all popish trash of unwritten verities▪ or rather unwritten very lies. I do further also believe and confess, that God the father hath from everlasting and before all worlds, in his secret counsel, 
Her faith in the predestination of Go● and what it is▪  and in his everlasting purpose and decree, elected, chosen and predestinate in Christ jesus, certain of the lost sons of Adam, to be members of his body▪ & coheir●s with him of his heavenvly kingdom. And othersome hath he predestinated to everlasting destruction, leaving them in their natural sin and corruption still. Now if ye ask me what predestination and reprobation is: I answer, it is the everlasting purpose or decree of God, whereby he doth choose some to salvation & some to damnation. If you demand why he chooseth some to salvation, and not all, finding them all in like state and condition: I answer In choosing of some to salvation, he showeth his unspeakable mercy, grace, favour, and love: and in choosing other some to damnation, he showeth his power, his justice, and his judgement to all the world. For as by the one, the mercy of God appeareth, so by the other, we may see what we have all deserved. And if you ask me why he chooseth some, and rejecteth othersome. I tell you he may do it at his blessed will and pleasure: for if I have two debtor that own me a thousand pound, it is in me to release the one of the whole debt, and to exact the whole of the other: for to the one I show but mercy, and to the other but justice. 
Our vocation or calling.  Now those that the Lord hath predestinate in Christ jesus to everlasting salvation, them doth he call in his good time to the knowledge of his truth, to repentance to integrity of life, & to all perfection, and those whom he doth call them doth he justify, and whom he doth justify, them will he glorify. And that this doctrine of predestination & reprobation standeth thus, the Apostle Eph. 1.11. showeth evidently, saying: we are chosen in Christ, when we were predestinate according to the purpose of him that worketh all things a●ter the counsel of his will. And in the 4 & 5 ver. of the same chapter, he ●aith: we are chosen in him meaning Christ, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy & blameless before him in love. Read Rom. 9 and many other places of holy scriptures & you shall fin● this doctrine to be very clear. I do further believe and confess, that God hath his several churches as namely his Church triumphant in the kingdom of heaven, & his Church militant, dispersed upon the face of the earth:  
I do also believe, that this militant Church is two fold, visible and invisible. 
●he Church too fold, and 〈◊〉.  The visible Church is known and discerned by these marks: the word of God preached, the Sacraments sincerely ministered, Ecclesiastical discipline and other censures of the Church duly executed. The other Church I call the invisible Church, not for that men are invisible, but for that it always appeareth not to the eye of the world, but is known to God only, who alone knoweth who are his. I believe that this Church, 
How & when 〈◊〉 Church cannot 〈◊〉.  this spouse of Christ cannot err, finally in matters of salvation, and damnation, so long as she holdeth her head Christ jesus aright. And I constantly believe, that jesus Christ is the only head, ruler and governor of his Church, and not Antichrist the Pope, nor any of his shavelings: as Paul testifieth, Ephes. 4.15. saying: Let us grow up in all things in him, who is the head, 
Christ is the ●●ole head of ●he Church.  Christ jesus. Again in another place he saith. As Christ is the head of the Church, so is the husband head over his wife. I believe and confess, that jesus Christ hath left, not only the holy Scriptures to instruct and teach his Church, but also Sacraments, in number two: to wit, Baptism, and the Lords Supper, as seals of his grace towards it to confirm it in his truth, and as conduits of his mercy, to convey his grace & goodness to it also.  
These Sacraments (I say) are Seals and signs of holy things, 
Two Sacraments, and what they are, whereof they do consist, and what they represent unto ●s.  and therefore cannot be the things themselves. For it is against the nature of a Sacrament, to be the thing signified thereby. Baptism consisteth of two natures, the visible Element, and the invisible grace. The visible Element is water, the invisible grace is the gifts and graces of the holy Ghost, conferred in baptism. The water signifieth unto us, that our whole nature is corrupted, and had need to be purged and cleansed. It signifieth also unto us, our regeneration, sanctification and new birth. And it representeth also unto us the blood of jesus Christ, which cleanseth us from all sins. And I faithfully believe, that it is no more lawful for a woman to minister this Sacrament, than it is lawful for her to preach, or to minister the Sacrament of the Lords Supper.  
And as concerning the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, I believe and confess, that it consisteth of two natures also, an earthly, and an heavenly nature or quality. The visible element or earthly nature is bread & wine: the heavenvly nature or quality, the body and blood of Christ signified thereby. The wine doth represent unto us the blood of Christ which was shed for us: and the bread doth signify unto us also, the body of Christ, which was given for us. And as many as do receive this Sacrament worthily in remembrance of the death & passion of jesus Christ, do eat and drink jesus Christ (spiritually) to their everlasting salvation.  
And I do verily believe, that in this Sacrament, 
Neither the bread nor wine chang● in the Lord● Supper.  neither the bread nor the wine, neither before, nor after the words of consecration (as they term them) are changed, altered, or transubstantiate, into the real, essential, or material body of Christ, but do remain the same still in nature and substance that they were before. And therefore Paul feared not to call it bread still many times in his epistle to the Corinthians. And our Saviour Christ in the 6. of john saith: that they should see him ascend into heaven with the same body that he sat in with them at Supper, whole and uneaten: adding further, that the words that he spoke, were spirit and truth, and that it is the spirit that giveth life, the flesh profiteth little. And he biddeth us to celebrate this Supper in remembrance of him: and to preach his death therein till he come again. If Christ were in the Sacrament, flesh, blood, and bone, than the wicked might eat him, & so should there never any wicked be condemned: for Christ saith, he that eateth his flesh and drinketh his blood shall never die: yea Rats, Cats and Mice, might eat his body, which were blasphemous, and sacrilegious once to imagine, though the Papists are not ashamed to teach it openly. And albeit that these Sacraments do represent unto us most excellent things, 
Sacraments d● not confer grace.  yet do they not confer grace of themselves: neither is the grace of God so tied to the material Elements, that he cannot save without them. And therefore are the Papists more then cruel, that teach all children to be damned that die before baptism. For we read of certain in the Acts of the Apostles, that were baptized, and yet they had not so much as heard whether there were any holy Ghost or not. Simon Magus was baptized, yet he received not the holy Ghost tho. And again, Cornelius had received the holy Ghost before his Baptism. john the Baptist received the holy Ghost in his mother's womb, and the like. But yet notwithstanding, although the grace of God be not tied to the Sacraments, yet he that may receive them, and will not, or else setteth light by them, or contemneth them, shall never receive the gifts and graces signified by them.  

 I do also most constantly believe, that as jesus Christ is the undoubted Saviour of the world: so is he our only Mediator, advocate, and intercessor to God the Father, and none but he alone, who is ascended into the Heavens, sitteth on the right hand of God, and maketh continual prayers to God for us. And john saith. If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, jesus Christ the righteous, and he is the propitiation for our sins. And to the same effect Paul speaketh, 1 Tim. 2.5. There is one God, 
〈◊〉 only to 〈◊〉 called upon, 〈◊〉 not Saints.  and one mediator between God and man, which is the man Christ jesus. And as I believe that jesus Christ is our only mediator and advocate: so I constantly believe, that he only is to be called upon, invocated and prayed unto, and neither Saint nor Angel, Patriarch nor Father, Martyr nor Confessor, Peter nor Paul, Apostle nor Evangelist, james nor john, no not Marie herself, nor any other creature, how excellent soever they seemed to be in the eye of the world. For we are assured by the word of god, that the saints can neither hear our prayers, nor grant our requests. And therefore Christ saith: Call upon me in the day of thy troubles, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt praise me. And again, the Apostle saith: how shall they call upon him, in whom they have not believed: Then as it is not lawful to believe in any other save in God alone: so is it not lawful to pray to any other but to God alone, in the name and mediation of Christ jesus only.  

〈◊〉 belief ●hither her ●oule should 〈◊〉 after her departure.  I do also most constantly believe, that my soul, so soon as ever it shall departed forth of my body, shall be carried by the ministery of the holy Angels of God, into the kingdom of Heaven: where I shall see, and certainly know, Adam, Eva, Noah Abraham, Isaac, jacob, Moses, Samuel, David, and all other Prophets▪ patriarchs and Fathers, together, with Marry the mother of Christ, Peter, Paul, james and john, and all other Martyrs, Confessors, and holy Saints of God, which have died since the beginning of the world, or which shall die to the end of the same. Oh what a comfortable thing is this, that we shall know one another in the life to come? Talk one with another? love one another? and praise God one with another, and all together world without end? And because some of you peradventure will hardly believe this doctrine to be so, I pray you give me leave to prove it by the word of God, and then will I make an end.  
When God had cast Adam into a dead sleep, & made woman of a rib of his side, he brought her unto him, 
We shall kn●● one an other the life to come.  and he knew her strait way, and called her by her name. Can Adam in the state of innocency know his wife, he being in a dead sleep, whilst she was in making? And shall not we being restored to a far more excellent dignity and perfection, than ever was Adam in, not know one another? Shall our knowledge be less in heaven, than it is in earth? Do we know one another in this life, where we know but in part, and see but in part, yea as it were in a Glass, and shall we not know one another in the life to come, where all ignorance shall be done away.  
In the 16. of Luke we read, how that the rich man lying in hell, knew Abraham and Lazarus in heaven a far off. Then I reason thus: If the wicked that be in hell in torments do know those that be in heaven so far above them: how much more shall the godly know one another, being altogether in one place, & fellow Citizens in the kingdom of heaven? We read also in the 17. of Matt: how our Saviour Christ meaning to show unto his Disciples Peter, james and john as it were a shadow, or glimmering of the joys of heaven (and therefore he is said to be transfigured before them, and his face did shine as the Sun, and his apparel was like the light:) there appeared unto them Moses and Elias, saith the text. Then it followeth, that if the Disciples being in their natural corruption, and but in a shadow and glimmering of the joys of heaven, did know Moses and Elias, the one whereof died almost two thousand years before, the other not much less, how much more shall we know one another in the life to come, all corruption being taken away, and we in the full fruition and possession of all the joys and glory of heaven? This is my faith, this is my hope & this is my trust this hath the spirit of God taught me, and this have I learned out of the book of God. And (good Lord) that hast begun this good work in me, finish it, I beseech thee: and strengthen me that I may persevere therein to the end, and in the end, through jesus Christ my only Lord and Saviour.  
She had no sooner made an end of this most heavenly confession of her faith but Satan was ready to bid her the combat, whom she mightily repulsed, 
 and vanquished by the power of our Lord jesus, on whom she constantly believed. And whereas before she looked with a sweet, lovely and amiable countenance, red as the Rose, and most beautiful to behold, now upon the sudden, she bent the brows, she frowned, and looking (as it were) with an angry, stern, and fierce countenance, as though she saw some filthy, ugglesome and displeasant thing: she burst forth into these speeches following, pronouncing her words (as it were) scornfully, and disdainfully, in contempt of him to whom she spoke.   

A most wonderful conflict betwixt Satan and her soul, and of her valiant conquest in the same, by the power of Christ.  
HOw now Satan? what makest thou here? Art thou come to tempt the Lords servant? 
〈◊〉 wonderful temptation▪ & 〈…〉 in the ●ame.  I tell thee, thou hellhound, thou hast no part nor portion in me: nor by the grace of God never shalt have. I was, now am, and shall be the Lords for ever Yea Satan, I was chosen & elected in Christ to everlasting salvation before the foundations of the world were laid: and therefore thou mayst get thee packing, thou damned Dog, and go shake thine ears, for in me thou hast nought. But what dost thou lay to my charge, thou soul fiend? Oh that I am a sinner, and therefore shall be damned: I confess in deed that I am a sinner, and a grievous sinner, both by original sin, and actual sin, and that I may thank thee for. And therefore Satan I bequeath my sin to thee, from whom it first came, and I appeal to the mercy of God in Christ jesus Christ came to save sinners (as he saith himself) and not the righteous: behold the Lamb of God (saith john) that taketh away the sins of the world. And in another place he crieth out, the blood of jesus Christ, doth cleanse us from all sin. And therefore Satan, I constantly believe that my sins are washed away in the precious blood of jesus Christ, and shall never be imputed unto me any more.  
But what sayest thou more, Satan? Dost thou ask me how I dare come to him for mercy, he being a righteous God, and I a miserable sinner? I tell thee Satan, I am bold through Christ, to come unto him, being assured and certain of pardon and remission of all my sins for his name's sake. For, doth not the Lord bid all that be heavy laden with the burden of sin, to come unto him, and he will ease them? 
Her dispute on with 〈◊〉  Christ's arms were spread wide open (Satan) upon the Cross (with that she spread her own arms) to embrace me, and all penitent sinners: and therefore (Satan) I will not fear to present myself before his footstool, in full assurance of his mercy for Christ his sake. What more, Satan? Dost thou say, it is written, that God will reward every one according to his works, or according to his deserts? But it is written again (thou deceitful devil) that Christ's righteousness, is my righteousness, his works, my works, his deserts my deserts, his merits, my merits, and his precious blood a full satisfaction for all my sins. Oh, but God is a just God, thou sayst, and therefore must needs in justice condemn me. I grant (Satan) that he is a just God, and therefore he cannot in justice punish me for my sins, which he hath punished already in his son. It is against the law of justice, to punish one fault twice. I was, and am, a great debtor unto God the Father, but Christ jesus hath paid the debt for me: and therefore it standeth not with the justice of God to require it again. And therefore avoid Satan, avoid thou firebrand of hell, avoid thou damned dog, and tempt me no more, for he that is with me, is mightier than thou, 
Her victory over Satan.  even the mighty and victorious Lion of the tribe of juda, who hath bruised thy head, and hath promised to be with his children to the end of the world. Avoid therefore thou dastard, avoid thou cowardly soldier, remove thy siege, and yield the field won, and get thee packing, or else I will call upon my grand-captain Christ jesus, that valiant Michael, who beat thee in Heaven, and threw thee down to hell, with all thy hellish train: and devilish crew She had scarcely pronounced these last words but she fell suddenly into a sweet smiling laughter, saying: Now is he gone, now is he gone: do ye not see him fly like a coward, and run away like a beaten cock? He hath lost the field, and I have won the victory, even the garland and crown of everlasting life: and that not by my own power and strength, but by the power and might of jesus Christ, who hath sent his holy Angels to keep me. And speaking to them that were by, she said, oh would God you saw but what I see: For do you not see infinite millions of most glorious Angels stand about me, with fiery charets ready to defend me, as they did the good Prophet Elizeus? These holy Angels, 
〈◊〉 guard of ●ngels  these ministering spirits, are appointed by God to carry my soul into the kingdom of heaven, where I shall behold the Lord face to face, & shall see him, not with other, but with these same eyes. Now am I happy & blessed for ever, for I have fought the good sight, and by the might of Christ have won the victory. Now from henceforth shall I never taste neither of hunger nor cold, pain nor woe: misery nor affliction: vexation or trouble: fear nor dread: nor of any other calamity, or adversity whatsoever. 
〈◊〉 sweet ●editations.  From henceforth is laid up for me a crown of life, which Christ shall give to those that love him. And as I am now in possession thereof by hope, so shall I be anon in full fruition thereof by presence of my soul, and hereafter of my body also, when the Lord shall please. Then she spoke softly to herself as followeth. Come Lord jesus, come my love jesus, oh send thy Pursuivant (sweet jesus) to fetch me. Oh (sweet jesus) strengthen thy servant, and keep thy promise. Then sang she certain Psalms most sweetly, and with a cheerful voice: which done, the desired her husband that the 133. Psalm might he sung before her to the Church. And further, she desired him that he would not mourn for her, alleging the Apostle Paul, where he saith: Brethren I would not have you to mourn, as men without hope, 
〈◊〉 request 〈◊〉 her hus●●nd not to ●ourne f●r 〈◊〉  for them that die in the Lord: affirming that she was not in case to be mourned for, but rather to be rejoiced of: for that she should pass (she said) from earth to heaven: from men to holy Angels: to Cherubins and Seraphins, to holy Saints, patriarchs and Fathers: yea to God himself. After which words, very suddenly she seemed as it were greatly to rejoice, and look very cheerfully, as though she had seen some glorious sight: and lifting up her whole body, and stretching forth both her arms, as though she would embrace some glorious and pleasant thing, said: I thank my God, through jesus Christ, he is come, he is come, my good jailer is come to let my soul out of prison. Oh sweet death thou art welcome, welcome sweet death, 
Her talk with death, and he● friendly welcoming of him.  never was there any guest so welcome to me as thou art. Welcome, the messenger of everlasting life: welcome the door and entrance into everlasting glory: Welcome, I say, and thrice welcome, my good jailer, do thy office quickly, and set my soul at liberty. Strike (sweet death) strike my heart, I fear not thy stroke. Now it is done. Father into thy blessed hands I commit my spirit. Sweet jesus into thy blessed hands I commend my spirit. 
Her last words  Blessed spirit of God, I commit my soul into thy hands. Oh most holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three persons and one true and everlasting God, into thy blessed hands I commit both my soul and my body, at which words her breath stayed, and so neither moving hand nor foot, she slept sweetly in the Lord. 
Her death.   
Thus hast thou heard (gentle Reader) the discourse of the virtuous life, and christian death of this blessed and faithful servant of God, Mistress Katherine Stubs: which is so much the more wonderful, in that she was but young and tender of years, not half a year above the number of nineteen. when she departed this life. The Lord give us grace to follow her good example, that we may come to those unspeakable joys wherein she now resteth, through jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with the Father, and the holy Ghost, be all honour, glory, praise, dominion, and thanksgiving, both now and for evermore. Amen.   
FINIS.  
P. S. Gent.