and deteſtation of what they propoſed, that ſhe, in a great paſſion, proteſted to 'Die a thouſand deaths, if it were poſſible, and, by the moſt exquiſite torments their helliſh malice could invent, rather than to be incloſed within the walls of a nunnery; which ſhe was satisfied was no other than a ſink of ſin, and plauſible colour for lewdneſs and debauchery.' But they, without replying, offering to force her from the cloſet; ſhe oppoſed her ſtrength againſt their rudeneſs: But Fronovius, who was the ſteward and governor of the family, had ſo ordered the matter, that thoſe that immediately waited upon her, were then out of hearing; ſo that, without any other interruption, than what her contending gave them, they hurried her into a cloſe chamber in the remoteſt part of the houſe, where they locked her in, and went to conſult farther, how they ſhould ſecretly convey her from thence; whilſt ſhe, (who expected, after ſuch treatment, nothing but a violation of her chaſtity, would much rather have embraced death, and counted it a favour,) was pouring out her ſoul to God, and imploring his help in this needful time of her trouble, and begging of him to ſtrengthen her faith; 'till, on a ſudden, to allay the trouble and afflictions of her mind, ſuch beams of joy and comfort darted into her ſoul, that ſhe allured herſelf, 'That that merciful God, whoſe gracious protection ſhe had been ſeeking, would work out deliverence for her in due time.'
Theſe conſpirators, by this time, had come to a reſult to rid themſelves, as they thought, for ever, from the fears they were in of their villainous practices being diſcovered, which was this:
Frono-
