ABSTRACT
In 1604 the Jesuit Robert Persons wrote “An Instruction, and direction for the spiritual helpe of such Inglish gentlewomen, as desyre to lead, a more retired & recollected life then the ordinarie in Ingland doth yeald.” Persons was responding to the situation of some English Catholic women who would not join a religious community but “do desyre some other moderate course of life and conversation, as not altogether leaving the world, but only cutting of the superfluous and noysome vanities therof, by walking a more sure path towards their salvation.” 1
