Theodora had Scarce made an end of saying this, when her Conversation with her fair Friend was Interrupted, by the notice that was given them of, the arrival of a Gentleman of their Religion, who brought some News that it Concern’d them to know. This advertisement soon brought back these two Excellent Ladies to the rest of the Company; to which this Intelligent and Inquisitive Person was going to give an account, which the Sadnes of his Looks prepar’d them to find an unwelcom one. However; they listen’d to him with great attention, as well as Concern: and He after a short Preamble, briefly acquainted them with some particulars, that will hereafter be more fully related. But that which he himself seem’d most mov’d at the mention of, and which most affected his hearers, was this; That when the President had notice of Theodora’s escape, though there wanted not some Generous Men, that endeavour’d by severall Arguments to diswade him from prosecuting her any further; Yet he was so far from being prevail’d with, to Comply with so reasonable a motion, that he solemnly Protested, that if ever he could get this Fugitive (as he was pleas’d to call, that admirable Person) once more into his power, he would never strive again to reclaim her by the fear of Infamy, (a thing which, said he, I perceiv’d She despis’d) but by the terrour of death; Supposing, as he added, that She would not fly from an Altar, to a Scaffold, a Stake; and resolving, in case She were inflexible, to Sacrifice her to the indignation of those Incens’d Deity’s She had so Obstinately provok’d.
The former part of this Discourse, which related to Didymus, his Excellent Mistress heard not, with out such inward Commotions, that in Spight of the Calmness and reservedness of her temper, they clearly enough disclos’d themselves in her face, by several Changes of Colour, which those that had lately admir’d the greatness of her Courage, could not but ascribe to that of her concern for her distressed Lover. But when the Relator had concluded that part of his Narrative, that directly regarded her self, tho’ it fill’d all the Auditors with grief and terrour, Theodora seem’d to have gain’d a new life; Since in her looks, the visible tokens of a deep sadness, were succeeded by no less manifest Signs of joy.
While the rest of those to whom the Melancholy account was given, were entertaining one another with the reflections they made upon it; Irene having drawn her fair friend aside, was impatient to learn the cause of that pleasing change, she had observ’d in her looks.
Whilst, answers Theodora, I was listening to the report of the Eminent Danger, which the Generous Didymus was Expos’d to for my Sake, I could not but be Extreamly Troubled, to find my Self restrain’d from attempting his Rescue, by the manifess: Danger, of being by the Barbarous President sent back to the infamous place, whence your vertuous friend had ventur’d so much to free me: But now that the Judge, by a Solemn Declaration, has tyed up his own hands from tempting me, by so justifiable a fear as that of Infamy; ‘twas no wonder, my Looks disclos’d some Tokens of a joy, grounded upon so welcom an opportunity to exercise my Gratitude Without hazarding my Honour.
What? Theodora! saith Ierene, as it were Thunder-struck with this unexpected answer; do you put so small a value upon that wonderful Deliverance, that scarce an hour ago you did so devoutly and deservedly give Thanks for, that you will so soon rush into greater dangers, than those that requir’d little less than a miracle to rescue you from them?
I hope, replies calmly Theodora, that I shall never forget, nor without a deep sense remember, the admirable rescue you speak of. But I take the most gracious part of that Deliverance, to consist in my being rescu’d from Dishonour; and think it would be much less obliging than it is, if it debar’d me from the surest and directest ways to Glory; and if, to preserve my external Purity, it did condemn me to Ingratitude, towards the meritorious Instrument of that Preservation.
Our Lives, saith Irene, being trusted to us, as well as vouchsaf’d us, by God; are not so much at our own disposal, that ‘tis allowable for us to part with them, as we think fit: And ‘tis possible for us to abandon them, not only when we do directly and violently rid our selves of them, but when we do those things, whose natural Consequence is an untimely Death.
I believe with you, saith Theodora, that our Lives are to be reckon’d among those Goods that we are entrusted with, rather as Stewards than unaccountable Proprietors; and acknowledge too, that certain actions, that do not directly, may yet criminally, tend to their destruction. But I do not think the care of our Lives is committed to us, as that of our Souls is, with so indispensable an obligation to keep them; that it can never upon any terms whatsoever, be lawful for us to loose them. For, I think Life to be a Talent, which is indeed to be carefully husbanded and preserv’d; but is committed to us, not so much to keep safe, as to negotiate with; and is entrusted to us in order to a condition better than it self. And therefore, if Religion, or Vertue, require any thing at our hands, which cannot be perform’d without endangering, or even loosing our Lives, in that case to venture them, or to part with them, is a duty; and consequently at least a justifiable action: And this pursues Theodora, I take to be my case; who am summon’d by Faithfulness to a just Promise, and by Gratitude to an extraordinary Benefactor, to endeavour the saving of an innocent Person, who is accus’d on my account, and has brought himself into a great danger, only for having most obligingly Rescu’d me from a greater.