then, in a word of exhortation to them who stayed by her, saying, "Fear God, fear God," she most sweetly spent her breath; and so most comfortably yielded up her spirit to him who made it; and was, we doubt not, admitted into heaven, into the number of saints of God, there to reign in the glory of God for evermore.

April 15, 1647.

Your servant in Christ Jesus,

I. D.

LADY HALKET.

ANNA MURRAY was born in London the 4th of January 1622. Her father, Mr. Robert Murray, was descended from the Earl of Tullibardine's family; her mother, Jane Drummond, from the Earl of Perth's; two ancient and honourable families in Scotland. Mr. Robert Murray was a gentleman so well accomplished, that King James VI. made choice of him to be preceptor to his second son, afterwards King Charles I. King Charles made him provost of Eton College; a place which he enjoyed only a short time, being soon removed by death.

Mr. and Mrs. Murray had by marriage two sons and two daughters, on whom every pains was taken, to render them qualified for the highest places of trust in the nation, and the society of the most accomplished persons. But, while her daughters were taught French, music, dancing, and all kinds of needle-work, Mrs. Murray did not, like too many mothers, neglect matters of greater importance. Her chief care was to instruct them in the principles and practice of religion, teaching them to begin and end every day with prayer, and reading a portion of Scripture in order, and duly to attend the church, backing all her instructions with her own pious example.

Anna, the subject of this Memoir, early discovered a ready disposition to receive instructions, and extraordinary sagacity and seriousness of temper. When she became old enough to walk alone, and play with other children, she did not follow the ill example she saw among some of them, but did then shew an abhorrence of evil; for which afterwards she blessed God.

If at any time she was crossed by the woman that

attended her, and began to cry, if the Bible was given her to read, she became instantly quiet. This she calls an early presage of the comfort and repose which her soul found in her after-troubles by meditating on the blessed word.

If her mother went abroad, where she was desirous to go with her, she never cried when not allowed to go, but quietly contented herself, by considering, that if she had been permitted, she might have said or done something or other, for which she might be chid at her return; thinking with herself, that if she wanted the pleasure she desired, she was free also of the trouble she feared. She so used herself to this way of pondering things, that what she most earnestly desired became indifferent to her; and she observed, that she more readily obtained her desire in any thing about which she was thus indifferent, than in what she was most eager upon. She was most exact in her obedience to her mother, so that she could not remember that she had made one visit to the nearest neighbour, or gone any where abroad, without her

allowance.

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She afterwards, reflecting on such like passages her childhood, says: "By these I find how early "thou, O Lord! didst prevent me by sowing the "seeds of grace in my heart; though, alas! it hath "since been overgrown by the corruption of my "nature: O my God, weed it up, that the seed thou "hast sown may fructify and increase, to bring glory "to thee, and joy to myself, and profit to others."

Nor was feebleness of frame the occasion of such a sedate and serious turn; for the God of providence had endued her with a comely, well-proportioned, healthful, and sprightly body; a solid, quick, and penetrating judgment; an ingenious and lively fancy; a faithful and tenacious memory; lively and regular affections which good temperature of body and mind made her capable of the most excellent improvements; and neither her own care and diligence,

nor the Divine grace, which always assists human industry, were wanting to her attaining them.

She began the second period of her life, her youth, with a personal dedication of herself to God, renewing and confirming her baptismal vows. This she frequently reiterated, but more solemnly every year, on her birth-day, performing it usually in this manner: 1. By a diligent review of her former life. 2. A penitent confession of her sins. 3. A thankful acknowledgment of received mercies. 4. Sincere purposes and resolutions of living more exactly. And finally, earnestly imploring the Divine mercy and grace. As the devoted servant of God, she applied herself to know his will: the reading of the Scriptures had been her enjoined task in her childhood, but now it became her choice and delight. She went completely through these sacred oracles once every year, in the regular course of reading them, besides her frequent occasional converse with them. Not contenting herself with the letter, she endeavoured, by frequent and serious meditation, to find and feel the spirit and life, the transforming and renewing virtue of that quickening word. In this exercise, she seems to have been a great proficient, her meditations (whereof she left many volumes) being full of elevated thoughts, and lively spiritual affections.

From the example of a devout lady, she began, when young, to observe stated days of fasting; and as she became better acquainted with this duty, she found it a great help to prayer and humiliation, and felt by it much inward refreshment.

She usually did partake of the Lord's Supper four times in the year; on which occasions especially, she was very exact in taking a more particular review of her life, endeavouring by serious repentance to have her past sins cancelled, and by new bonds and resolutions, to have her soul fortified against aftertemptations. But this great and useful duty of self

examining was not reserved only for these solemn occasions; she very wisely kept short accounts, by frequent casting them up; and it was of great advantage to her in this performance, that from her younger years she had kept a register of the most remarkable occurrences of her life, especially her failings, mercies, and resolutions. She was also careful to make observations of the various and most remarkable dispensations of Providence to herself or others; of the customs and conduct of the world, and of the temptations and trials incident to every state of life; and from these she drew such just inferences, formed such wise resolutions, and imprinted on herself such excellent maxims and rules, as served very much to fortify her mind, and direct her conduct through the various accidents of her life, both prosperous and adverse.

Her charitable disposition made her from her younger years apply herself to the study of physic, and to prepare such medicines and drugs as might be helpful in common and ordinary diseases, and proper for hurts, bruises, and sores. In this she became very famous and helpful to many, both poor and rich, though it was chiefly with respect to the poor that she undertook that practice.

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And now what can be expected, but that such rare accomplishments of body and mind should attract eyes and hearts of all, to love and honour her? And, indeed, the world was so just as to observe and highly commend her virtue; and as yet, calumny and malice had not the confidence to throw the least blot upon the good character which she universally obtained. But how little reason is there to glory in the brightest accomplishments, or to become vain of the most renowned fame, or secure in the confidence of the greatest virtues! Eminent virtues are ordinarily designed for eminent trials; and the best fortified minds have enough to do with all their forces, when assaulted with the vanities and allure