School had had before great experience And so much were they pleased to honour the judgment and integrity of this worthy man that presently after his death they pitched upon an excellent learned man whom he had so providently commended to them 11. This worthy friend of mine the Friday and Saturday before his own Fit was pleased to visit me lying at that time under a sore Fit of the Stone It pleased the Lord the Monday following to bring a Fit upon him and sending to enquire of his condition he sent me word hov it was with him and that he looked on this Fit as a Messenger of death from God unto him And though in obedience to Gods appointment he made use of means yet he still insisted upon it that his time of dissolution was now come and accordingly with great composednesse and resolvednesse of spirit waited for death as a man doth for a loving friend whom he is willing to embrace Ob. Septemb. 1657. III. Dr THOMAS MORTON Bishop of Duresme Out of his Life Written by Dr Barwick now Dean of S. Pauls D. Thomae Vyner Rect. de Staunton HIs Coat-armour and pedigree shew him to be of the same Original and Stock with that eminent Prelate and wise States-man John Morton Lord Chanc of England and Arch-bishop of Cant by whose contrivance and management the two Houses of York and Lancaster were united But in his great modesty and humility he would not revive nor so much as look upon a very fair and large descent of his Pedigree when it was presented to him though he liberally rewarded the person that presented it 2. The place of his birth was the antient and famous City of York his Parents were of good note Mr Richard Morton Mercer and Mrs Eliz Leedale by whom the Valvasours and Langdales acknowledge themselves to be of his kindred by whose care he was brought up in pietie and learning firâ—â— at York and afterward at Hallifax under Mr Maud of whom he alwaies spake with great reverence as a grave man and a good Shoolmaster He took root in the Nursery of Hallifax till the eighteenth year of his age before he was trans-planted into the Garden of the Vniversity 3. An. 1582. he was sent to Cambridge and there admitted into S. John's Coll. wherein were so many eminent Scholars at that time as he was wont to say It seemed to be a whole University of it self The Master of the Colledge was Dr Whitaker his first Tutor was Mr Anthony Higgon who left him to the care of Mr Hen Nelson who lived to see his Pupil passe through all the other Dignities he had in the Church till he came to be Bishop of Duresm and a good many years after 4. An. 1590 he took his Degree of Master of Arts having performed all his Exercises with great approbation and applause Afterward for above two years he continued his studies in the Colledge at his Fathers charge And then Marâ— 17. 1592. he was admitted Fellow meerly for his worth against eight Competitors for the place Which he was wont to recount with greater contentment to himself than his advancement to any Dignity he ever enjoyed in the Church About the same time he was chosen Logic Lecturer for the University which place he discharged with as much Art and Diligence as may appear by his Lectures fairly written which I find among his papers 5. In the same year he was admitted to the sacred Order of Deacon and the next after of Priesthood Having received his Commission from God and his Church he was very ready to assist others in the way of charity but not too forward to take upon him a particular care of Souls And accordingly we find him for about five years after this continuing in the Colledge prosecuting his own private Study and reading to such yong Scholars as were committed to his care and Tuition 6. An. 1598. he took his Degree of Bachelor in Divinitie And about the same year being presented instituted and inducted to the Rectory of Long Marston four miles distant from his native City of York he beâ—ook himself wholly to the Cure of Souls there committed to him which he discharged with great care and diligence And yet he did not intermit his higher studies for the general good of the Church while he attended it To that end he had alwaies some Person to be his Assistant whom he knew to be pious and learned 7 And this assistance was the more necessary because his great parts and worth would not suffer him to enjoy his privacy in a country-cure For first he was made choice of by the Earl of Huntington then Lord President of the North to be his Chaplain for his dexterity and acutenesse in disputing with the Romish Recusants for it was Queen Elizabeth's expresse command to him to convince them by Arguments rather than suppresse them by force and this she expressed as his Lordshop was wont to say in the words of the Prophet Nolo mortem peccatoris 8. But the Earl dying presently after he returned again to his privacy at Marston where he continued not long before the Lord Sheffield who succeeded as Lord President commanded him to hold a publick Conference before his Lordship and the Council at the Mannor house in York with two Romish Recusants then prisoners in the Castle which he performed with great satisfaction to the Auditory among whom were many of the chief Gentry and Clergy of Yorkshire 9 An. 1602 began the great plague at York at which time he carried himself with much Heroical Charitie For the poorer sort being remov'd to the Pesâ—house he made it his frequent exercise to visit them with food both for their bodies and souls His chief errand was to instruct and comfort them to pray for them and with them and to make his coming the more acceptable he carried usually a sack of provision with him for those that wanted it And because he would have no man run any hazard thereby but himself he seldom suffered any of his servants to come near him but sadled and unsadled his own horse and had a private door made on purpose into his house and chamber 10. An. 1603. he attended the Queens Embassador into Germany being desirous to improve himself by seeing forein Kingdoms Churches and Universities His stay in those parts was the shorter because the Embassadors Commission determined at the death of the Queen But however he improved his time so well partly in furnishing his own Librarie with books at Frankfurt and elsewhere but chiefly in his conversation with learned men and in his forein Observations that he alwaies very highly valued that opportunity 11. At his return he was sollicited by Roger Earl of Rutland to be his domestical Chaplain Which proffer he was the more willing to accept for the privacy he hoped to enjoy in a place where he was not know for making use of that Treasure of Books he had got in his travels And the
Parson is exceeding exact in his life being holy just prudent temperate bold grave in all his waies And because the two highest points of life wherein a Christian is most seen are Patience and Mortification Patience in regard of Afflictions Mortification in regard of lusts and affections and the stupifying and deading of all the clamorous powers of the soul therefore he hath throughly studied these that he may be an absolute master and commander of himself for all the purposes which God hath ordained him Yet in these points he labours most in those things which are most apt to scandalize his Parish 2. He is full of all knowledge They say it is an ill Mason that refuseth any stone and there is no knowledge but in askilful hand serves either positively as it is or else to illustrate some other knowledge He condiscends even to the knowledge of tillage and pastorage and makes great use of them in teaching because people by what they understand are best led to what they understand not But the chief and top of his knowledge consists in the book of books the storehouse and magazene of life and comfort the holy Scriptures There he sucks and lives There he finds four things Precepts for life Doctrines for knowledg Examples for illustration and promises for comforts These he hath digested severally And for the understanding of these the means he useth are a holy life prayer c. 3. He hath read the Fathers also and the Schoolmen and the later Writers or a good proportion of all out of all which he hath composed a book and Body of Divinity which is the storehouse of his Sermons and which he preacheth all his lifc but diversly clothed illustrated and enlarged For though the world is full of such yet every mans own is fitrest readiest and most favoury to him Besides this being to be done in his yonger and preparatory times it is an honest joy ever after to look upon his well-spert hours This Body he made by way of expounding the Church-Catechism to which all Divinity mâ—y easily be reduced For it being indifferent in it self to choose any method that is best to be chosen of which there is likeliest to be most use 4. When he is to read Divine Services he composeth himself to all possible Reverence as being truly touched with the Majesty of God and that being first affected himself he may affect also his people knoâ—ing that no Sermon moves them so much to a reverence which they forget again when they come to pray as a devout behaviour in the very act of praying Accordingly his voice is humble his words treatable and slow yet not so sloâ— neither as to let the fervency of the supplicant hang and dye between speaking but with a more liveliness between fear and 〈◊〉 pauzing yet pressing he performs his duty Besides his example he having often instructed his people how to carry themselves in Divine Service exacts of them all possible reverence by no means enduring either talking or sleeping or gazing or leaning or half-kneeling or any undutiful behaviour in them but causing them when they sit or stand of kneel to do all in a strait and steady posture as attending to what is done in the Church and every one man and child answering aloud both Amen and all other answers on the peoples parts using their reason and applying their powers to the Service of God 5. He preacheth constantly the Pulpit is his joy and his Throne If he at any time intermit it is either for want of health or against some great Festival that he may the better celebrate it or for the variety of the hearers that he may be heard at his return more attentively When he intermits he is ever well supplyed by some able man who treads in his steps and will not throw down what he hath built whom also he intreats to presse some point that he himself hath often urged with no great successe that so in the mouth of two or three witnesses the truth may be the more established When he preacheth he procures attention with all possible art both by earnestness of speech it being natural for men to think that where is much earnestness there is something worth hearing and by a diligent and busie cast of his eye on his Auditors with letting them know that he observes who marks and who not and with particularizing of his speech now to the younger sort then to the elder now to the poor and now to the rich This is for you and This is for you for particulars ever touch and awake more than generals He exceeds not an hour in preaching because all ages have thought that a competency and he that profits not in that time will less afterwards the same affection which made him not profit before making him then weary and so he grows from not relishing to loathing 6. On Sundaies having read Divine Service twice fully and Preached in the morning and Catechized in the afternoon he thinks he hath in some measure according to poor and frail man discharged the publick duties of the Congregation The rest of the duty he spends either in reconciling neighbours that are at variance or in visiting the sick or in exhortaton to some of his flock by themselves whom his Sermons cannot or do not reach And every one is more awaked when we come and say Thou art the man At night he thinks it a very fit time both sutable to the joy of the day and without hinderance to publick duties either to entertain some of his neighbours or to be entertained of them where he takes occasion to discourse of such things as are both profitable and pleasant and to raise up their minds to apprehend God's blessing to our Church and State c. Here I had ended but since I see the Book is hard in come by prithee take some more 7. The Country Parson considering that Virginitie is a higher state than Matrimony and that the Ministrie requires the best and highest things is rather unmarried than married But yet as the temper of his bodie may be or as the temper of his Parish may be where he may have occasion to converse with women and that among suspicious men and other like circumstances considered he is rather married than unmarried Let him communicate the thing often by prayer to to God and as his grace shall direct him so let him proceed If he be unmarried and keep house he hath not a woman in his house but finds oppertunities of having his meat drest and other services done by men servants at home and his linnen washed abroad If he be unmarried and sojourn he never talks with any woman alone but in the audience of others and that seldom and then also in a serious manner never jestingly or sportfully He is very circumspect in all companies both of his behaviour speech and very looks knowing himself to be both suspected and envied If he be married
conformitie to the Rites of the Church and zeal to advance the Cause of God wherein his Travels abroad were not obscure in the time of the excommunication of the Venetians 7. Then he certifies the King This is the Man whom Padre Paulo took I may say into his very soul with whom he did communicate the inwardest thoughts of his heart from whom he professed to have received more knowledge in all Divinitie both Scholastical and Positive than from any that he had ever practised in his daies Of which all the passages were well known to the King your Father of most blessed Memory 8. And so he concludes in these words With your Majesties good favour I end this needlesse office for the general fame of his learning his life and Christian temper and those religious labours which himself hath Dedicated to your Majestie do better describe him then I am able 9. Mr Bedel was to the great joy of Sir Henrie Wotton made Governor of the said Colledg and after a fair discharge of his duty and trust there he was thence removed to be Bishop of Kilmore In both which places his life was so holy as seemed to equal the primitive Christians for as they so he kept all the Ember-weeks observed besides his private devotions the Canonical hours of prayer very strictly and so he did all the Feasts and Fast-daies of his Mother the Church of England his patience and charitie were both such as shewed his affections were set upon things above 10 Indeed his whole life brought forth the fruits of the Spirit there being in him such a remarkablenesse that he had a good report of those that were without Those that in point of Religion were of the Roman perswasion of which there were many in his Diocese did yet ever look upon him with respect and reverence and testified it by a concealing and safe ptotecting him in the late horrid Rebellion in Ireland when the furie of the wild Irish knew no distinction of persons yet there and then was he protected and cherished by those of a contrarie perswasion and there and then he dyed though not by violence 11. With him were lost many of his learned Writings which were worthy of preservation and among the rest was lost the Bible which by many years labour and conference and study he had translated into the Irish Tongue with an intent to have printed it for publick use IX M. ANT. de DOMINIS Dean of Windsor Out of Dr Barwick D. Roberto Glyn Rect. de Risington p. ABout the year 1618. there came over into England that very learned though unfortunate man Marcus Antonius de Dominis Arch-bishop of Spalato Primate of Dalmatia c. Which as he was wont to glory was St Hieroms Native Country as well as his 2. This great Scholar after he had so profoundly asserted the truth of Christian Religion as it is professed and practised in the Church of England in so many particulars against the errors and Corruptions of the See of Rome in his Learned and laborious books De Republica Ecclesiastica and had also from the Kings bounty received so great incouragements for his honorable supports as the Deanry of Windsour and Mastership of the Savoy besides many rich and yearly presents not only from the Bishops and Clergy but also from the Nobilitie and Gentrie Was so far wrought upon by that Polititian Count Gondamar the Spanish Embassador then in England and other instruments of the See of Rome that sought his ruin under some specious pretences as to take up a resolution of returning to Rome and could not be disswaded from it by his true friends that really endeavoured his security Among whom Bishop Morton was neither the least nor last who very earnestly advised him both by word and writing noâ— to venture himself upon such a hopelesse and hâ—ssardous journy 3. The Arch-bishops pretence was very plausible and commendable and how real he was in it must be left to God namely to negotiate an unitie in Religion between the Church of Rome and the Church of England upon those moderate grounds which he had laid down and so well defended in his learned and laborious Works printed here at London He applauded himself in the excellency of the work in removing the Schism and of the honour in becoming a Repairer of the breach and of the reward which is promised to the peace makers And he thought himself the more likely to go through with his work by reason of the seasonable opportunitie he had at that time when Gregorie the fifteenth was newly chosen Pope who had been of his old and intimate acquaintance brought up in the same School and College with him And however he was resolved to make an attempt because if he failed in it he hoped he should lose nothing but his labour for as for his Indemnitie Count Gondamar had promised him the securitie of the King of Spain his Master But how well that promise was perform'd will appear by the Sequel 4. While he was swelled up full with this promise and these hopes Dr Morton the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventrie coming to visit him had this ensuing discourse with him among many others which I have often heard him repeat with pleasure and shall therefore insert it and the rather because it shews us of how little authority the Council of Trent would be if it were not for the terrour of the inquisition Leichf Domine quid tibi in animo est Anne convertere Papam Atque etiam conclave papale Spal Quid ni domine Anne existimas eos diaboloâ— esse ut non possint converti Leichf Minime Domine nec puto dominum Spalatensum deum esse ut hoc possit praestare Nostin enim concilium Tridientinum Spal Novi domine ausus sum tibi dicere Millies Mille sunt etiam in Italia qui huic concilio fidem nullam adhibeant 5. This discourse and many other having passed between them they parted friendly And not long after did this Bishop reinforce his arguments with an addition of mâ—ny more in a long and learned Epistle to him Wherein among other Motives to dissâ—ade him from his journy he used one wherein he shewed himself a true Prophet concerning the entertainment he was like to have at Rome Which proved to be that before he gâ—t to Rome Pope Gregorie the fifteenth his old friend was dead and a successor chosen in his plâ—ce by whom this Arch-bishop was impriloned in Castro St Angelo Where he died not without strong suspition of murder or poyson And his body was afterward burnt as of an Heretick in Campo Flâ—ri 6. I could here start a problematical question concerning this learned Arch bishop Whether or no did he ever retract his works which he pulished in print If he did why did they at Rome buâ—n his body for Heresie If not then they abused him in his life time as well as after his death in the manifesto which they put forth
discourse it was of such things as prepared him for the immortality of a life to come And when at any time he refresht himself with pleasant stories he did not fail to make use of his Philosophy in them He was much pleased with the simplicity of nature in little children to the imitation of â—hoâ— we are called by our blessed Saviour being wont to compare them to Argels 11. Now for the second particular his Opinions he much differed in them from the Vulgar The Scotists of whose acutenesse most men have an high conceit he esteemed heavy fellows and any thing rather than ingenuous And yet he had a worse opinion of Thomas Aquinas than of Scotus who said he if he had not been verie arrogant would never so rashlie and yet so magisteriallie have presumed to define all points of religion and if he had not savoured too much of the spirit of the world he would not have polluted all the doctrine of Christ with so much of his own prophane Philosophie No man was moâ—e a friend to true Christian piety yet he had little or no kindness for Monks or rather I should say for those who are now for the most part falsly so called and therefore while he lived he gave them but little and when he dyed nothing not that he hated their profession but because he saw they did not live according to it Yet his desire was to have disengaged himself from the world and betaken himself to a Monastery if he could any where have found a Society that was truly and unanimously resolved upon an Evangelical life Though he lived very chastly himself yet he had a very charitable opinion of those Priests and Monks who had no other crime but venery not that he did not heartily abhor the sin but because he found such men far lesse mischieveous than others if compared who were haughty envious backbiters hypoctites vain unlearned wholly given to the getting of money and honour And he was not more averse to any sort of men than such Bishops who were Wolves instead of Shepherds and commended themselves by external service of God ceremonies benedictions and indulgences to the people while with all their hearts they served the world i. e. glory and gain He was not much displeased with them who would not have images either painted or carved gold or silver worshipt in Churches nor with them who doubted whether a notorious wicked Priest could consecrate the Sacrament Hereby not favouring their error but expressing his indignation against such Clergy-men who by an open bad life gave occasion to this suspicion As he did much approve of secret confession professing that he never had so much comfort from any thing as that so he much condemned anxiety in it and repetition He was content to Sacrifice on Sundays and Holy daies or some few daies beside either to gain more time for his sacred studies and fit himself the better for his Pulpit employments and the businesse of his Cathedral or because he found that his dovotion had a greater edge when it was sharpned with intervals and yet he would not condemn them who were minded to come to the Lords Table every day Though he was a very learned man himself yet he did not prize the vast and confused learning of such as wander among various sciences and books saying They got rather a learned sort of madness than any true incentive to Christian innocence simplicitie and charitie He dissented from innumerable opinions commonly received in the Schools in which he would sometimes tell his mind to his friends but say nothing to others lest he should incur a double inconvenience loose his own credit and do them no good perhaps harm 12. And now in the last place hear his Afflictions He never agreed well with his Bishop who to say nothing of his manners was a superstitious and stubborn Scotist Neither was the Doctor acceptable to most of his own Colledge because he was very tenacious of regular discipline and the Prebends complained that he used them as Monks whereas indeed that Colledge was antiently called East-monasterie The old Bishop exhibited Articles against him to the Archbishop of Cant That he said Images were not to be worshiped c. But the Archbishop being well acquainted with Colet's excellencies instead of being his Judge became his Advocate Then the old man strove to incense the Court against him especially K. Henry VIII himself because the Doctor when the King was raising forces against the French had said in a Sermon That an unjust peace was to be preferred before a most just war Here the King who was an excellent person in his youth gave an evident proof of his Royal parts exhorting the Dean privately To go on in his preaching freelie to tax the corrupt manners of that age and not to withdraw his light in those most dark times adding That he knew very well what incensed the Bishops so highlie against him and how much good the Dean had done by his Divine life and holie Doctrine to the English Church and Nation Lastly that he would so curb their endeavours that it should appear to the world Whoever troubled Colet should not escape unpunisht Hereupon the Dean humbly thanked the King for his Royal favour but beseeched him not to do so professing That he had rather lay down his preferment then that any should suffer for his sake Again upon Good-Friday the Dean made a Sermon to the King and Courtiers which was much admired concerning the victorie of Christ wherein he exhorted all Christians to fight under the banner of their heavenly King and overcome saying That they who either through hatred or ambition or covâ—teousness do fight with evil men and so kill one another fight not under the banner of Christ but the Divel shewing withal How hard a thing it is to die like a Christian How few go forth to battel free from hatred and covetousnesse and how difficult for such to be in charitie without which no man shall see God who sheath their swords in their brethrens bowels adding That they should rather imitate their King Christ than Pagan Caesars and Alexanders And he had so many other smart passages to this purpose that his Majesty was somewhat afraid lest this Sermon would dishearten the Soldiers that were listed But when Colet came before the King in his garden at Greenwich the King bids him cover his head and speak his mind freely and then his Highness began thus Dean be not surprised with needlesse fears I did not send for you hither to disturb your most holy labours which I resolve to cherish as much as I can but to unlode my conscience of some scruples and to desire your advice concerning my dutie The Conference lasted almost an hour and an half and I must not relate it all Only his Majestie wisht That what the Dean spake truly he would speak some time or other more plainly lest the rude Soldiers should misunderstand
by the Translation of his old friend Bishop Overal to Norwich And here his trouble was not so great as at Chester though his Diocess was longer because the common sort of people for the most part were better principled by the care and vigilance of his Predecessor But yet he abated nothing of his former pains and industry both in Writing Preaching and conferring with those that were not wilfully obstinate besides his ordinary Visiting his Diocess and Confirming such children as could give an Account of their Faith 19. Among the works of Charitie performed by this Bishop while he was of that See memorable is the Education he bestowed upon one George Canner who like another Didymus of Alexandria or Fisher of Wewminster was born blind This youth he brought up first at School and afterwards sent him to Cambrigde where he maintained him and his Unkle to look to him in S. John's Coll. After he had taken the Degree of Bachelor of Arts he sent for him into his own Family and there instructed him in the whole Body of Divinitie then admitted him into sacred Orders placed him in a Cure in Staffordshire Which Cure the blind man discharged diligently and laudably being a very good preacher and able also to perform the whole Office of the Church as it is prescribed in the Book of Common prayer only by the strength of his admirable Memory 20. Memorable also is that passage of the Boy of Bilson near Woolverhampton who being wrought upon by some Bomish Priests counterfeited himself to be possessed with a Divel But the Divel having steeled his heart as his own phrase was after his confession he continued Demoniac longer than was intended and accused a neighboring woman of the Romish Communion for bewitching him so cunningly prosecuting the charge as the woman hardly escaped The Bishop suspecting the Boy did but counterfeit got leave of the Judges to have the Boy home with him where by his wisdom and great pains he discovered the imposture and afterwards upon the Boyes Confession and Repentance bound him out an Apprentice to a Shomaker in Bristol 21. An. 1632. He was translated to the See of Duresm void by the death of Bishop Howson a place of greater trust and honour as well as of greater emolument For besides the Spiritual and Ecclesiastical Affairs as before he had now the care and management of all the tnmporal Affairs within the County Palatine of Duresm by virtue of the Palatinate which for many hundreds of years hath been annexed to the Episcopal See in so much as it passed for a Maxim there Quic quid potest Rex extra Episcopatum potest Episcopus intra And yet in the same he carried himself with so much justice and equity for ten years together before these late Troubles put a disturbance in the exercise of his Government that no complaint was ever made against him to the Parliament except only the case of Mr Smart which yet had no relation to the County Palatine neither could the charge be made good against him 22. Some Rules which he set unto his Government were these First for his Fines at the renewing of Leases he never intermeddled in setting them himself but referred the businesse to four Gentlemen of the neighbourhood to make a moderate composition between him and his Tenants 2. In wreks he took such a small sum of the persons that had suffered them as was not worthy the name of a Composition and that only to preserve the right of his place 3. In Deodans where any man had made himself away though by law the whoâ—e estate was confiscated in detestationem criminis yet exceeded he not a fourth part of the estate after the most moderate Valuation And lastly for Wardships he used that tenderness as never any of the Gentry had wrong in their Minority 23. How much greater his Fatherly care was for the Spiritual affairs of the Bishoprick will appear by his pious indeavours in setling competent Augmentations upon the smaller Benefices He had given a good example long before whiles he was Bishop of Lichfield in abating a good part of his Fine to increase the portion of the Vicar of Pichley in Northamptonshire And now in a work of so much importance he applied himself for Counsel to three of the most learned in the Laws Lo. Keeper Coventry Mr Noy Sr Henry Martin who all concurred That the Bishops Authoritie over Churches appropriate was neither taken away nor any way infringed but that he may now appoint a competent Augmentation c. See the Author 24. Having thus fully informed himself of his just parts in a matter of so high Concernment for the advancement of Christian Religion and the good of Souls he resolved to put it in practice as far as God should enable him and trust God with the event He began at home with the Parish of Bishop-Aukland Here he augmented the stipend of the Mother-Church from sixteen pounds per an to fourscore and the Chapels belonging to it from about six pounds per an to thirty intending to extend the like Episcopal care in some proportion over all the rest of his Diocess But so pious heroical a work became abortive by the Scotch Invasion c. 25. We are come now to the precipice of this Reverend Bishop's outward splendor though neither his Glory nor Happinesse incurred the least diminution by his future suffrings For he was never more happy in his own thoughts nor more glorious in the eyes of all good men then in being exercised in those troubles whereof the continual series of publick affairs afforded him a perpetual oportunity from this time till his death 26. In one of the tumults after the beginning of the long Parliament this Reverend Bishop was in extreme hazard of his life by the multitude that were beckned thither by the contrivers of our late miseries whereof some cryed Pull him out of his Coach Others Nay he is a good man Others But for all that he is a Bishop And he hath often said He believed he should not have escaped alive if a leading man among that rabble had not cryed out Let him go and hang himself Upon this and the like violations of the liberty and freedom essential to all the Members of Parliament when the Twelve Bishops whereof this was one remonstrated the just fears they were in and Protested their dissent from all Laws which should be enacted till they might attend service of the House with freedom and saftey They were all charged with high Treason by the House of Commons and committed to Prison c. 27. Our Bishop being after four months discharged from this his first imprisonment returned to his lodgings in Duresm House and there attended his devotions and study till such time as his Adversaries thought fit to give him another occasion to exercise his patience under a second Captivity upon occasion of baptising a Child of the Earl of Rutland's according to the Order of the
so much than ever he purchased to himself for that was just nothing He gave many excellent books to the Colledge where he had his Education to the value of 4 or 500l with an intention at last to bestow 100l per an during his life had not the times disabled him to buy books of special worth and not for supersluity 4. His Almsgiving While he was sufferd to enjoy his estate he had his Beadsmen in Livery at a constant Table besides what he gave away at his Gate and upon other occasions Nay so constant was he in this duty even then when he had hardly so much left as to afford bread for his own mouth that he had alwaies a certain number of poor impotent persons in a constant pension that came weekly to him for their allowance when he was not able himself to go among them to give it and this will be abundantly testified by the poor in all places where of late he hath lived 5. His Devotion He would often forgo ot at least much moderate his one meal a day often deny himself some part of that pittance of time allowed for sleep to rise out of his bed and to spend in prayer as the Attendants in his Chamber witnesse See the rest in the reverend Author of his Life and of his Funeral Sermon Ex Epitaphio Nullo non dâ—gnus Elogio Eo vero dignior quod nuilo se dignum aestimaverit Ob. Crastino S. Mat. Anno Salut 1659. Sepult Festo S. Mich. Aetat 95. Â Epise 44. IV. M. GEORGE HEREBRT Vide Vol. 1. Out of his Life before his REMAINS D. Richardo Cooper Rect. de Weston 1. MR George Herbert was extracted out of a Generous Noble and Antient Family His Father was Richard Herbert of Blachehall in Montgomery Esq descended from the great Sr Richard Herbert in Edward the IV's time and so his Relation to the Noble Family of that Name well known His Mother was daughter of Sr Richard Newport of Arcoll who doubtlesse was a pious daughter she was so good and godly a Mother She had ten Children Job's number and Job's distinction seven sons For whose Education she went and dwelt in the Vniversitie to recompence the losse of their Father in giving them two Mothers And this great care of hers this good Son of hers studyed to improve and requite as is seen in those many Latin and Greek Verses the Obsequious Parentalia he made and printed in her Memorie Which though they be good very good yet to speak freely of this man I so much honour they be dull or dead in comparison of his Temple Poems And no marvel To write those he made his Ink with water of Helicon but these Inspirations Prophetical were distilled from above In those are weak Notions of Nature in these raptures of Grace In those he writ flesh and blood a frail earthly woman though a Mother but in these he praised his Heavenly Father 2. He did thrive so well in Cambridge in Trinitie Coll that he was first chosen Fellow there and afterwards Orator of the University The Memorials of him left in the Orators book shew how he discharged the place and himself intimates Church p. 39. That whereas his Birth and Spirit prompted him to Martial Atchievements The way that takes the Town and not to sit simpering over a Book God did often melt his spirit and entice him with Academick honour to be content to wear and wrap up himself in a Gown so long till he durst not put it off nor retire to any other Calling However probably he might I have heard as other Orators have had a Secretary of States place being one of the most prudent and accomplisht men of his time I have heard sober men censure him as a man that did not manage his brave parts to his best advantage and preferment but lost himself in an humble way That was the phrase I well remember it 3. This good man like a good genuine son of Levi I had like to have said Melchizedek balked all secular waies saw neither Father nor Mother Child nor Brother birth nor friends save in Christ Jesus chose the Lord for his Portion and his service for imployment And he knew full well what he did when he received holy Orders as appears by every page of his Country Parson and by the Poems called Priesthood and Aaron and by his unparallel'd Vigilancy which he used ever in his Parish which made him a Peer to the Primitive Saints and more than a Pattern to his own age 4. Besides his Parsonage of Bemmerton in Wiltshire he had also a Prebend in the Church of Lincoln Which I think because he lived far from and so could not attend the duty of that place he would fain have resigned to Mr Ferrer and often earnestly sued to him to discharge him of it But Mr Ferrer wholly refused and diverted or directed his charity as I take it to the reedefying of the ruin'd Church of Leighton where the Corps of the Prebend lay So that the Church of England owes to him besides what good may come by his book of the Country Parson towards the repair of us Churchmen in point of Morals the Reparation of a Church material and erection of that costly peece of Mosaic or Solomonic work The Temple which florishes and stands inviolate when our other Magnificences are desolate and despised 5. He was of a singular sincerity in embracing and transcendent dexterity in defending the Protestant Religion established in the Church of England He that reads Mr Herbert's Poems attendingly shall find not only the excellencies of Scripture-Divinity and choice Passages of the Fathers bound up in Meeter but the Doctrine of Rome also finely and strongly confuted as in the Poems To Saints and Angels p. 69. The British Church 102. Church militant c. 6. As for our Brethren that erred on the right hand his chief aim was to win those that disliked our Liturgie Catechism c by the constant reverent and holy use of them Which surely had we all imitated having first imprinted the virtue of these prayers in our own hearts and then studied with passionaâ—e and affectionate celebration for voice gesture c. as in Gods presence to imprint them in the minds of the people our prayers had been generally as well beloved as they were scorned 7. There is one thing yet which I admire above all the rest The right managing of the fraternal Duty of Reproof is methinks one of the most difficult Offices of Christian Prudence He had not only got the courage to do this but the art of doing this aright There was not a man in his way be he of what rank he would that spoke awâ—y in order to God but he wip'd his mouth with a modest grave and Christian reproof His singular dexterity in sweetning this art thou maist see in the guarb and phrase of his writings Like a wise Master-builder he has fet about a form of
speech transferred it in a figure as if he was alwaies learning from another mans mouth or pen and not racking any And whereas we all of us deserved the sharpnesse of reproof he saith He does this and He does that whereas poor men we did no such thing This dart of his thus dipped pierces the Soul 8. His Art of Divine Poetry and other polite learning so commenâ—ed him to Persons most eminent in their time that Dr Donne inscribed to him a paper of Latin Verses in pring and the Lord Bacon having transhred some Psalms into English Meeter sent them with a Dedication prefixed To his very good Friend Mr George Herbert thinking he had kept a true decorum in chusing one so fit for the Argument in respect of Divinity and Poetry the one as the matter the other as the stile that a better choice he could not make 9. I shall omit several excellencies of this Person His conscientious expence of Time which he ever measured by the Pulse that native watch God has set in every of us his eminent Temperance and Frugality the two best Purveyors for his Liberalitie and Beneficence his private fastings his mortification of the body his extemporary Exercises thereof at the sight or visit of a Charnel-house where every bone before the day rises up in judgment against fleshly lust and pride at the stroke of a passing-bell when antient Charity used said he to run to Church and assist the dying Christian with prayers and tears for sure that was the ground of that custome and at all occasions he could lay hold of possibly which he sought with the diligence that others shun and shift them besides his carefull not scrupulous Observation of appointed Fasts Lents and Embers The neglect and defect of this last he said had such influx on the Children which the Fathers of the Church did beget at such time as malignant stars are said to have over natural productions 10. With Fasting he impt his prayers both private and publick His private must be left to God who saw them in secret his publick were the morning and evening Sacrifice of the Church Liturgie Which he used with conscientious Devotion not of Custom but serious judgment knowing 1. That the Sophism used to make people hate them was a solid reason to make men of understanding love them namely Because taken out of the masse-Masse-book taken out but as gold from drosse the precious from the vile The wise Reformers knew Rome would cry Schism Schism and therefore they kept all they could lawfully keep being loth to give offence as our blessed Saviour being loth to offend the Jews at the great Reformation kept divers old Elements and made them new Sicrament and Services as their frequent Washings he turned into one baptism some service of the Passover into the Lord's Supper 2. That the homelinesse and ccursenesse which also was objected was a a great commendation The poor Lambs of the flock are forty for one grounded Christian proportionable must be the care of the Church to provide milk i. e. plain and easie nourishment for them and so had our Church done hoping that stronger Christians as they abounded in gifts so they had such a store of the grace of charity as for their weak Brethrens sakes to be content therewith 11. He thought also that a set Liturgie was of great use in respect of those without whether erring Christians or unbelieving men that when we had used our best Arguments against their errors or unbelief we might shew them a Form wherein we did and desired they would serve Almighty God with us that we might be able to say This is our Church Here would we land you Thus we belive See the Creed Thus we pray baptize Catechise Celebrate the Eucharist Marry Bury Intreat the Sick c. These beside Unitie and other accessary benefits he thought ground sufficient to bear him out in his practice wherein he ended his life calling for the Church-prayers a while before his death saying None to them None to them at once both commending them and his Soul to God in them immediately before his dissolution as some Martyrs did Mr Hulliar by name Vicar of Babram burnt to death in Cambridge Who having the Common-prayer book in his hand instead of a Censer and using the prayers as Incense offerd up himself as a whole burnt Sacrifice to God With whom the very Book it self suffered Martyrdome when fallen out of his consumed hands it was by the Executioners thrown into the fire and burnt as an heretical book 12. He was moreover so great a lover of Church-Musick that he usually called it Heaven upon earth and attended it a few daies before his death But above all his chief delight was in the Holy Scripture One leaf whereof he professed he would not part with though he might have the whole world in exchange This high esteem of the Word of Life as it wrought in himself a wondrous expression of high Reverence when ever he either read it himself or heard others read it so it made him equally wonder that those who pretended such extraordinary love to Christ Jesus as many did could possibly give such leave and liberty to themselves as to hear that Word that shall judge us at the last day without any the least expression of that holy fear and trembling which they ought to charge upon their Souls in private and in publick to imprint upon others 13. I have not so much as with one dash of a pencil offered to describe that person of his which afforded so unusual a Contesseration of Elegancies and Set of rarities to the beholder nor said I any thing of his personal Relation as a Husband to a loving and virtuous Lady as a Kinsman Master c. Yet will I not silence his spiritual love and care of Servants teaching Masters this duty To allow their servants dayly time wherein to pray privately and to enjoyn them to do it holding this for true generally That publick prayer alone to such persons is no prayer at all 14. I have given thee only these lineaments of his mind and thou mayest fully serve thy self of his book The Country-Parson in what vertue of his thy soul longeth after His practice it was and his Character it is His as Author and his as Object Yet lo the Humilitie of this gracious man He had small esteem of this book and but very little of his Poems Though God had magnifyed him with extraordinary Gifts yet said he God hath broken into my study and taken off my Chariot wheels I have nothing worthy of God And even this lowlinesse in his own eyes doth more advance their worth and his Virtues Here my Reader give me leave to propose to thy view some lines of that excellent Figure The Country Parson written by the Author 1632. printed 1652. which book I read with joy that we have any such and with grief that we have no more 1. The Country