Stillingfleet, Katherine

Here lieth the body of [Katherine, the] wife of the Revd James Stilling[fleet], PREBENDARY of this CATHEDRAL and Daughter of the late Herbt. Macworth Esq. Member of Parliament for Cardiff. She departed this life Feb 27, 1782, aged 47.  Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile! They who knew her best retain a lively remembrance of her character, as a real Christian, whose understanding was enlivened by a saving knowledge of God's word, whose heart was devoted to his service, and whose mouth was filled with his praise. In seeking continual opportunities of doing good to the souls and bodies of her fellow creatures, she plenteously brought forth the fruit of good works, while she neither trusted nor gloried in them, but in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world was crucified unto her, and she unto the world. Prepared for her great change, she was ready, upon the short notice of a few hours illness, to go forth with oil in her lamp, to meet her heavenly bridegroom: for Christ was her gain both in life and in death. She left a Husband and three Sons to feel the loss of Her: May they tread in the steps of her faith and practice, and follow her as she followed Christ.  The following lines express the sentiments which for many years animated her soul in the path of duty, and gave her support in the hour of death. Jesu, thy blood and righteousness/ My beauty are, my glorious dress:/ Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed,/ With joy shall I lift up my head./ When from the dust of death I rise,/ To claim my mansion in the skies,/ E'en then shall this be all my plea,/ Jesus hath lived and died for me.