Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/100

86 by her productions. Nor was she less assiduous in examining and confuting the doctrines of some, who pretending to be true sons of the church, were introducing dangerous positions and tenets, derogatory to the honour of our blessed Saviour, his divinity, &c.

Among these treatises, she thought none threatened more danger to the establishment than Dr. d'Avenant's Moderation a Virtue; and Essay on Peace and War, In answer, and by way of antidote, she gave, in 1704, an admirable composition, entitled Moderation truly stated, &c. which will be a lasting proof how admirably she was versed in our constitution both in church and state. The same year Dr. d'Avenant published a new edition of his works, with remarks on her's, to which she immediately replied, in a postscript. However industrious she was to conceal herself, the learned soon discovered her to be the author, and gave her the applause due to her merit. Some very great men bear testimony to the merit of her works, such as Hickes, Walker, Norris, Dodwell, and Evelyn. The polished Atterbury also gives her credit for exerting the pen of controversy with masculine force and judgment; but remarks, that her objections and truths are pushed too home, and are expressed, when implication might have done as well, and been more polite. Yet simplicity and plainness are, perhaps, more essential in controversial points than in any other.

She wrote various other treatises, both on controversial and religious subjects, particularly, An impartial Inquiry into the Causes of Rebellion and Civil Wars in this Kingdom, in an Examination of Dr. Kennet's Sermon, Jan. 30, 1703-4. A fair way with dissenters and their patrons, not writ by Mr. Lindsay, or any other furious Jacobite,