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 â—ffices 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 awry 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 guaâ—b 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 shâ—rpnesse 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 Dorne inscribed to him a paper of Latin Verses in print and the Lord Bacon having translated 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-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 Sacrament 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 cate 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
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 suchtime 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 Church And in custody he remained six months before he could obtain his enlargement After this he remained in Duresm house till he was thrown out thence by the soldiers that came to Garrison it a little before that horrid fact was committed upon the person of our late Gracious King and after that being importuned by his honorable friends the Earl and Countess Rutland he became a part of their care and family at Exeâ—er-house for some short time But being loth to live at the charge of others while he was able to subsist of himself and thinking the air of the Country might better suit with his declining years he betook himself to sojourn first with Captain Saunders in Hartfordshire and after with Mr Tho. Rotheram in Bedfordshire till by the great civility and earnest importunity of that Noble young Baronet Sr Henry Yelverton he went with him to his house at Easton-Manduit in Northampton-shire where he found all the tender respect and care from the whole family which a Father could exspect from his children till after some four months he rendred up his happy soul into the hands of his Heavenly Father 28. When the House of Commons had voted for the dissolving of Bishopricks and selling the lands that belonged to them some prevailed for another Vote of Yearly Allowance to present Bishops during their lives Our Bishop had 8001 per an voted to him but while he was able to subsist without it never troubled himself to look after it And at last pressed by necessities having procured a Copy of the Vote found it to contain no more than only that such a sum should be paid but no mention either by whom or whence And by that time he could procure and explanation of the Order to make the Pension payable out of the Revenues of his own Bishoprick all the Lands and Revenues of it were sold or divided among themselves Only by the importunity of his friends he obtained an Order to have 1000l out of their Treasury at Gold-smiths Hall with which he paid his debts and purchased to himself an Annuity of 200l per an during his life upon which he subsisted ever since 29. No man can expect any considerable Legacies in the Will of a person deceased who made his own hands his Executors while he lived like his great kinsman Arch-bishop Morton who chose rather to inrich his kindred and servants in his life time then at his death or rather like Arch-bishop Warham successor to Morton who lying on his death bed called for his Steward to let him know what money he had and understanding from him it was but thirty pound thanked God for it and said He never desired to dye richer Our Bishop had so much left him at his death that he gave 40l to one of his servants who then attenâ—ed him having provided for the other formerly and 10l to the poor of the Parish and his Chalice with a Patin double guilt to the Noble Baronet for the use of his Chapel The rest deducing some small remembrances he ordered for his burial whiâ—h was also sufficient for a Monument though far below his worth yet sutable to his great Modesty 30. I cannot omit the chief Legacy of his Will for the common good of souls in the Church of England particularly in his own Diocess See it in the Funeral Sermon where he concludes thus My earnest exhortation to them is that they would still continue their former Affections notwithstanding all temptations to the contrary both to the Doctrine Discipline Government and Form of Worship in this poor afflicted Church Which if I did not believe to be the securest way for the salvation of souls I had not ventured my own upon the same bottom 31. His high esteem of the sacred Liturgie of the Church of England attended him as I may say to his Grave For he gave expresse command to his Chaplain not to omit nor so much as transpose as he had observed too frequently to be done by others the reading of the Lesson 1 Cor 15. which the Church hath prescribed to be read at the Grave and which being read there while such a spectacle of mortality is before their eyes could not said he but have a greater influence upon their souls than any Funeral Sermon he had ever heard preached Great fervor and devotion he shewed in the Church-prayers whereunto he seldom answered with a single Amen and at which duty he never kneeled upon a Cushion I think in all his life nor ever prayed but upon his knees till he was confined to his death bed and even would neverly with his Cap on his head if he either prayed himself or any other prayed by him while he had strength to pull it off with his own hands Great consolation he took in the Church-preparations for his long home viz. in the profession of his faith and Charitie and Repentance in receiving the benefit of Absolution and the Viaticum of the Holy Eucharist 32. He lived a great number of years and very few ever husbanded theit time better for he was never idle with his good will He was often up at his devotion and study before four a clock even after he had lived above fourscore years and yet very seldom went to bed till after ten and then had alwaies a servant to read some book to him till such time as sleep did surprize him and so had he alwaies when he travelled in his Coach that his journy might not be too great a hinderance to his study He used to lye on a straw bed till he was above fourscore 33. He led his life in a holy and chast celibate The issue of his brain was numerous beside M. SS above twenty several Volumes in print some of which are these that follow Apologia Cath. p. 1. pars 2. The Catholick Appeal Causa Regia The Grand Imposture and proofs Sermons Confessions out of forein Divines for Bishops Gods Providence the last book he lived to publish a fit Meditation for his declining years in those sad Times 34. To add somewhat of his Character 1. His patience In the greatest tryal of his temper that ever he had the news of the Vote that the Revenues of the Church were to be sold he only said The Lord gave
tender to any one Minister of my Diocess by the inâ—itation of some buâ—â—e interlopers of the neighbour County some of them began to enter into an unkind contestation with me about the election of Clerks for the Convocation whom they secreâ—ly without ever acquainting me with their desire or purpose as driving to that end â—hich we see now accomplished would needs nominate and set up in competition to those whom I had after the usual form recommended to them That they had a right to free voices in that choice I deny not only I had reason to take it unkindly that they would work underhand without me and against me It came to the poll those of my nomination carried it the Parliament begun after some hard tugging there returning hoâ—e upon a recesse I was met by the way and chearfully welcomed by some hundreds 19. In no worse terms I left that my once dear Diocese when returning to Westminster I was soon called by his Majestie who was then in the North to a remove to Norwich But how I took the Tower in my way and how I have been dealt with since my repair hither I could be lavish in the sad report ever desiring my good God to enlarge my heart in thankfulnesse to him for the sensible experience I have had of his Fatherly Hand over me in the deepest of all my Afflctions and to strengthen me for whatsoever other tryals he shall be pleased to call me unto That being found faithful unto the death I may obtain that Crown of life which he hath ordained for all those that overcome See Bishop Hall's Hard Measure VI. Sr THOMAS MORE Out of his Life Written by J. H. D. Timotheo Norwood eâ— Int. Temp. UERA EFFIGIES THOMAE MORI QVONDAM TOTIUS ANGLIAE CANCELLARII DIGNISSIMI ETc 2. The Arch-bishop for his advance in learning sent him to Cant Coll. now Christ-Church in Oxford Thence he removed to New Inn an Inne of Chancery to study the Law then to Lincolns Inn where he was made Barrister And then he for some time read upon S. Austins de Civ Dei in S. Laurence Church where his Lectures were frequented by Grocin and other learned men then for three years was he eader in Furnivals Inn after which for about four years he gave himself to study and devotion in the Charter-house 3. He was first maried to Mr Coles daughter of New-hall in Essex and lived with her in Bucklers-burie in London where he had by her one Son and three Daughters whom he brought up in virtue and learning often exhorting them to take that for their meat and play but for their sauce 4. In the later end of K. Henry 7. he fell into the Kings displeasure for opposing the imposition proposed in Parliament toward the matching of the Lady Margaret into Scotland Which he argued against strongly that one of the Privy Chamber told the King A beardlesse Boy had frustrated all his expectations To avoid danger he determined to have gone over Sea but the Kings death happening soon after acquitted him of his fear 4. Noâ— is he made under-Sheriff of London by which office and his learning together he gained as himself said without grudge of conscience 400l per an for he was of Counsel in most causes chooâ—ing ever the justest side and for the most part victorious Twice was he employed abroad by the Kings conâ—â—nt in some great Causes of the Merchants Being called by Cardinal Wooâ—sie to the Kings service he excused himself at first but at last his fame and merit encreasing the King would take no denial Thus is he made Master of the requests within a month Knighted and one of the Privy Council continuing in his Majesties favour and trusty service twenty years and above In good part of which time the King was so pleased with his converse and taken with the variety of his learned and pleasant discourse that Sr Thomas scarce â—â—â—ained time till he abated of his former mirth once in a month to go home to his wife and children The King upon the death of Weston without asking freely advanced him to be Treasurer of the Exchequer and in the 14 year of his Majesties raign was he chosen Speaker of the House of Commons 5. At this Parliament he crossed the Cardinal and incurred his displeasure so that in revenge he counselled the King to send Sr Thomas Embassadour into Spain commending his wisdom learning and fitnesse for that employment But Sr Thomas having declared to his Majestie how unfit a journy it was for him to undertake the nature of the Country and his complexion so disagreeing that if he were sent thither he should be sent to his grave neverthelesse being ready with the peril of his life to fulfil his Majesties pleasure the King graciously said It is not our meaning Mr More to do you hurt but to do you good we would be glad we therefore will think of some other and employ your service otherwise And such entire favour did the King bear him that upon the death of Wingfield he preferred him to be Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster 6. K. Henrie took so great pleasure in Sr Thomas's company that he would suddenly come to his house at Clelsey to be merry with him and once after dinner walking in the Garden about an hour embraced his neck After when his son Roper rejoiced at it I have no cause to be proud of it quoth Sr Thomas for if my head would win him a Castle in France it would not fail to go off 7. Sr Thomas More though in great honour and favour with his Prince was not therefore puft up with pride disdain or arrogancy but was of such a mild behaviour and excellent temper that his Son in Law witnesseth For sixteen years time and more that he dwelt in his house and was conversant with him he could never perceive him so much as once in a passion If he child any for a fault it was with exceeding love and compassion if he fortuned to argue with any learned man as he was visited by many when he perceived his adversarie to be in a streit he would by some witty invention break off and fall into some other matter 8. When Sr Thomas was employed by the King in Flanders an arrogant fellow had set up a Thesis that he would answer any question could be propounded to him in what Art soever Sr Thomas made this question to be put up for him to answer An Averia capta in Withernamia sint irreplegebilia adding that there was one of the English â—mbassadors retinue that would dispute with him thereof This Thraso not so much as understanding those terms of our Common Law became ridiculous to all the town for his bragging 9. As he walked by the Thames side near Chelsey in discourse he said Now would to our Lord upon condition that three things were well established in Christendom I were put into a sack and here presently cast into
this part of it To my Lords Grace of Cant now being I leave my picture of divine love rarely copied from one in the Kings Galleries of my presentation to his Majestie beseeching him to recieve it as a pledge of my humble reverence to his great wisdom And to the most worthy L. B. of London Lord high Treasurer of England in true admiration of his Christian simplicitie and contempt of earthly pomp I leave a Picture of Heraclitus bewailing and Democritus laughing at the world most humbly beseeching the said Lo. Archb. his Grace and the Lo. B. of London of both whose favours I have rasted in my life time to intercede with our most Gracious Soveraign after my death in the bowels of Jesus Christ that out of compassionate memory of my long services wherein I more studyed the publick Honour than mine own Utility some order may be taken out of my Arrears due in the Exchequer for satisfection of my Creditors c. Accordingly conscionable satisfaction was given for his just debts 26. He went usually once a year if not oftner to the beloved Bocton-hall where he would say he found both cure for all cares by the company which he called the living furniture of that place and a restorative of his health by the connaturalnesse of that which he called his genial air He yearly went also to Oxford but the Summer before his death he changed that for a jorney to Wâ—nchester College And as he returned said to his companion How useful was that advice of a holy Monk who perswaded his friend to perform his customarie devotions in a constant place because in that place we usually meet with those thoughts which possessed us at our last being there And I find it thus far experimentally true that at my now being at that School seeing that verie place where I sate when I was a boy occasioned me to remember those thoughts of my Youth which then possessed me c. 27. After his return from Winchester he fell into a dangerous fever which weakned him much â—e was then also much troubled with a continual short spitting but that infirmity he seemed to overcome in a good degree by leaving Tobacco which he had taken somewhat immoderately And about two months before his death Oct. 1639. he again fell into a fever which though â—e seemed to recover yet these still left him so weak that those common infirmities which were wont like civil friends to visit him and after some short time to depart came both oftner and at last took up their constant habitations with him still weakning his body In the beginning of a December following he fell again into a Quartane fever and in the tenth fit his better part that part of Sir Henrie Wotton which could not dy put off mortality with as much content and cheerfulnesse as humane frailty is capable of being in perfect peace with God and man His Epitaph by himself Hic jacet hujus sententiae primus Author Disputandi pruritus â—cclesiarum scabies Nomen alià s quaere Another sentence wherein he delighted Animas fieri sapientiores quiescendo Another Amor unit omnia Ob. Etonae Anno Sal. 1639. Aetat 72. VIII Mr WILLIAM BEDEL Bishop of Kilmore Out of Mr Iz Walton and Bish Hall D. Thomae Carles Rect. de Barnesley 1. WHen King James sent Sr Henrie Wotton Embassador to the State of Venice he sent also an Embassador to the King of France and another to the King of Spain With the Embassador of France went Joseph Hall late B. of N. whose many and useful Works speak his great merit with the Embassador of Spain Ja. Wadsworth and with Sir Henrie Wotton William Bedel 2. These three Chaplains to these three Embassdors were all bred in one Vniversitie all of one College all Beneficed in one Diocese and all most dear and entire friends But in Spain Mr Wadsworth met with temptations or reasons such as were so powerful as to perswade him who of the three was formerly observed to be the most averse to that Religion that calls it self Catholick to disdain himself a Member of the Church of England and declare himself for the Church of Rome discharging himself of his Attendance on the Embassador and betaking himself to a Monasterial life in which he lived very regularly and so dyed 3. When Mr Hall came into England he wrote to Mr Wadsworth t is the first Epistle in his Decads to perswade his return or the reason of his Apostacie The Letter seemed to have many expressions of love and yet there was something in it that was so unpleasant to Mr Wadsworth that he chose rather to acquaint his old friend Mr Bedel with his Motives 4. By which means there past between Mr Bedel and Mr Wadsworth very many Letters which be extant in print and did well deserve it for in them there seems to be a controversie not of Religion only but who should answer each other with most love and meeknesse Which I mention the rather because it seldome falls out so in a Book-war 5. Mr Hall in an Epistle to Mr Bedel at Venice having lamented the death of our late Divines addeth What should this work in us but an imitation yea that word is not too big for you an emulation of their worthinesse The Church our Mother looks for much at your hands She knows how rich our common Father hath left you She notes your graces your oportunities your imployments She thinks you are gone so far like a good Merchant for no small gain and looks you shall come home well laded Let me perswade you to gratifie us at home with the publication of that your exquisite Polemical Discourse whereto our conference with Mr Alablaster gave so happy an occasion You shall hereby clear many truths and satisfie all Readers yea I doubt not but an Adversarie not too perverse shall acknowledge the truths victory and Yours 6. In a Letter of Sir Henrie Wotton's to the King is mentioned a Petition to his Majestie from persons directed hither by the good wishes of the Arch-bishop of Armagh to make Mr Bedel then Resident upon a small Penefice in Suffolk Governour of Dublin College for the good of that Society And Sir Henrie himself being required to render some testimonie of Mr Bedel long his Chaplain at Venice in the time of his first employment there goeth on thus I am bound in all conscience of truth so far as your Majestie will vouchsafe to accept my pâ—ot Judgment to affirm of him that I think hardly a fitter man for that charge could have been propounded unto your Majestie in your whole Kingdom for singular erudition and pietie 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