Isaak Walton: The Life of George Herbert &c.; transcribed from Isaak Walton's Lives of John Donne, Sir Henry Wotton, Richard Hooker, George Herbert and Robert Sanderson (as in the "World's Classics" edition, OUP 1927-1966). Walton's Life of George Herbert was first published in 1670, in which year the first four "Lives" were also published together in one volume (the first three having appeared separately in 1640, 1651 and 1655 respectively); the fifth, of Robert Sanderson, was published in 1678.
- John Donne: b. London 1573; d. London 31 March 1631
- George Herbert: b. Montgomery Castle, 3 April 1593; d. Bemerton 1 March 1632/3
- Izaak Walton: b. Stafford, 9 August 1593; d. Winchester 15 December 1683 ]
Contents of this file:
Letters -
Note on transcription: As far as possible (e. & o.e.), spelling and italicising follow the conventions copied in the OUP "World's Classics" edition. It will be observed that some archaic spellings are consistent - e.g. alwaies for always; dye for die. Elisions are not always consistent: e.g. continued and continu'd both occur. The possessive `s' ending appears consistently (in the Life, but not always in other transcribed verses) without an apostrophe, as in
The name of Nicholas Ferrar of Little Gidden, now generally spelled thus, is consistently given in the O.U.P. edition as `Farrer'; and this latter spelling is reproduced here.
Wisdom of Salom. 4. 10.
LONDON,
Printed in the Year 1675.
_._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._
[ indent as source ]
- Heav'ns youngest Son, its Benjamin,
- Divinity's next Brother, Sacred Poesie,
- No longer shall a Virgin reckoned be,
- (What ere with others 'tis) by me,
- A Female Muse, as were the Nine:
- But (full of Vigor Masculine)
- An Essence Male, with Angels his Companions shine.
- With Angels first the heavenly youth was bred;
- And, when a Child, instructed them to sing,
- The praises of th' Immortal King,
- Who Lucifer in Triumph led:
- For, as in Chains the Monster sank to Hell,
- And tumbling headlong down the precipice fell,
- By him first taught, How art thou fallen thou morning star? they said
- Too fondly then, we have fancy'd him a Maid:
- We, the vain Brethren of the rhyming trade;
- A femal Angel less would Urbins* skill upbraid.
[* Raphael Urbin, the famous painter ]
- Thus 'twas in Heaven: This, Poesy's Sex and Age;
- And, when he thence t'our lower world came down,
- He chose a form more like his own,
- And Jesse's youngest Son inspir'd with holy rage,
- The sprightly Shepherd felt unusual Fire,
- And up he took his tuneful Lyre;
- He took it up, and struck't, and his own soft touches did admire.
- Thou, Poesie, on him didst bestow
- Thy choicest gift, an honor shew'd before to none;
- And, to prepare his way to th' Hebrew Throne,
- Gav'st him thy Empire, and Dominion;
- The happy Land of Verse, where flow
- Rivers of Milk, and Woods of Laurel grow;
- Wherewith thou didst adorn his brow,
- And mad'st his first, more flourishing, and triumphant Crown.
- Assis me thy great Prophets praise to sing,
- David, the Poets, and bless'd Israels King;
- And, with the dancing Echo, let the mountains ring!
- Then, on the wings of some auspicious wind,
- Let his great name from earth be rais'd on high,
- And in the starry volume of the Sky,
- A lasting Record find:
- Be with his mighty Psaltery join'd;
- Which, taken long since up into the Air,
- And call'd the Harp, makes a bright Constellation there.
- Worthy it was to be translated hence,
- And. there, in view of all, exalted hang:
- To which so oft the Princely Prophet sang,
- And mystick Oracles did dispence.
- Though, had it still remain'd below,
- More wonders of it we had seen,
- How great the mighty Herberts skill had been;
- Herbert, who could so much without it do;
- Herbert, who did its Chords distinctly know,
- More perfectly, than any Child of Verse below.
- O! Had we known him half so well!
- But then, my friend, there had been left for you
- Nothing so fair, and worthy praise to do;
- Who so exactly all his Story tell,
- That, though he did not want his Bays,
- Nor all the Monuments vertue can raise,
- Your hand, he did, to Eternize his Praise.
- Herbert, and Donne, again are join'd,
- Now here below, as they're above;
- These friends are in their old embraces twin'd;
- And, since by you the Enterview's design'd,
- Too weak, to part them, death does prove;
- For in this book they meet again: as in one Heav'n they love.
- Sam. Woodforde D.D.
[ check special chars ]
- O Quàm erubesco cum tuam vitam lego,
- Herberte Sancte, quamq ; me pudet meae?
- Ego talpa caecus hic humi fodiens miser,
- Aquila volatu tu petens nubes tuo,
- Ego Choicum vas terreas faeces olens,
- Tu (sola namq, Vrania tibi ex musis placet)
- Nil tale spiras; sed sapis coelum & Deum,
- Omniq; vitae, libri et omni, lineê;
- Templúmq; tecum ubiq; circumfers tuum:
- Domi-porta coeli, cui domus propria, optima:
- Ubi Rex, ibi Roma, Imperii sedes; ubi
- Tu sancte vates, templum ibi, & coelum, & Deus.
- Tu quale nobis intuendum clericis
- Speculum Sacerdotale, tu qualem piis
- Pastoris ideam & libro & vitâ tuâ
- Tu quale Sanctitatis elementis bonae,
- Morumq; nobis tradis exemplum ac typum!
- Typum,* Magistro nempe proximum Tuo,
- Exemplar illud grande qui solus fuit. solens vocavit
- Canonizet ergò quos velit Dominus Papa; quoties ejus
- Sibiq; sanctos, quos facit, servet suos mentionem fecit.
- Colátque; sancte Herberte, tu Sanctus meus;
- Oraq; pro me, dicerem, si fas, tibi.
- Sed hos honores par nec est sanctis dari;
- Velis nec ipse; recolo te, sed non colo.
- Talis legenda est vita Sancti, concio
- Ad promovendum quàm potens & efficax!
- Per talia exempla est breve ad coelos iter.
- Waltone, macte, perge vitas scribere,
- Et penicillo, quo Vales, insigni adhuc
- Sanctorum imagines coloribus suis
- Plures repraesentare; quod tu dum facis
- Vitamq; & illis & tibi das Posthumam,
- Lectoris aeternaeq; vitae consulis.
- Vrge ergò pensum; at interim scias velim,
- Plutarchus alter sis licèt Biograephus,
- Herberto, Amice, vix Parallelum dabis.
- Liceat Libro addere hanc coronidem tuo;
- Vir, an Poeta, Orator an melior fuit,
- Meliornè amicus, sponsus, an Pastor Gregis,
- Herbertus, incertum; & quis hoc facilè sciat,
- Melior ubi ille, qui fuit ubiq; optimus.
Jacob. Duport. S.T.P. Decanus Petr.
L I F E
OF
MR GEORGE HERBERT.
_________________
In a late retreat from the business of this World, and those many little cares with which I have too often cumbred myself, I fell into a Contemplation of some of those Historical passages that are recorded in Sacred Story; and, more particularly, of what had past betwixt our Blessed Saviour, and that wonder of Women, and Sinners, and Mourners, Saint Mary Magdalen. I call her Saint, because I did not then, nor do now consider her, as when she was possest with seven Devils; not as when her wanton Eyes, and dissheveld Hair, were design'd and manag'd, to charm and insnare amorous Beholders: But I did then, and do now consider her, as after she had exprest a visible and sacred sorrow for her sensualities; as after those Eyes had wept such a flood of penitential tears as did wash, and that hair had wip't, and she most passionately kist the feet of hers, and our blessed Jesus. And I do now consider, that because she lov'd much, not only much was forgiven her: but that, beside that blessed blessing of having her sins pardoned, and the joy of knowing her happy Condition, she also had from him a testimony, that her Alabaster box of precious ointment poured on his head and feet, and that Spikenard, and those Spices that were by her dedicated to embalm and preserve his sacred body from putrefaction, should so far preserve her own memory, that these demonstrations of her sanctified love, and of her officious, and generous gratitude, should be recorded and mentioned wheresoever his Gospel should be read: intending thereby, that as his, so her name should also live to succeeding generations, even till time it self shall be no more.
Upon occasion of which fair example, I did lately look back, and not without some content (at least to my self) that I have endeavour'd to deserve the love, and preserve the memory of my two deceased friends, Dr. Donne, and Sir Henry Wotton, by declaring the several employments and various accidents of their Lives: And though Mr. George Herbert (whose Life I now intend to write) were to me a stranger as to his person, for I have only seen him: yet since he was, and was worthy to be their friend, and very many of his have been mine; I judge it may not be unacceptable to those that knew any of them in their lives, or do now know them by mine, or their own Writings, to see this Conjunction of them after their deaths; without which, many things that concern'd them, and some things that concern'd the Age in which they liv'd, would be less perfect, and lost to posterity.
For these reasons I have undertaken it, and if I have prevented any abler person, I beg pardon of him, and my Reader.
George Herbert was born the third day of April, in the Year of our Redemption 1593. The place of his Birth was near to the Town of Montgomery, and in that Castle that did then bear the name of that Town and County; that Castle was then a place of state and strength, and had been successively happy in the Family of the Herberts, who had long possest it; and, with it, a plentiful Estate, and hearts as liberal to their poor Neighbours. A Family, that hath been blest with men of remarkable wisdom, and a willingness to serve their Country, and indeed, to do good to all Mankind; for which they are eminent: But alas! this Family did in the late Rebellion suffer extreamly in their Estates; and the Heirs of that Castle saw it laid level with that earth that was too good to bury those Wretches that were the cause of it.
The Father of our George, was Richard Herbert the Son of Edward Herbert Knight, the Son of Richard Herbert Knight, the Son of the famous Sir Richard Herbert of Colebrook in the County of Monmouth Banneret, who was the youngest Brother of that memorable ®William Herbert Earl of Pembroke, that liv'd in the Reign of our King Edward the fourth.
His Mother was Magdalen Newport, the youngest Daughter of Sir Richard, and Sister to Sir Francis Newport of High Arkall in the County of Salop Kt. and Grand-father of Francis Lord Newport, now Comptroller of His Majesties Household. A Family, that for their Loyalty, have suffered much in their Estates, and seen the ruine of that excellent Structure, where their Ancestors have long liv'd, and been memorable for their hospitality.
This Mother of George Herbert (of whose person and wisdom, and vertue, I intend to give a true account in a seasonable place) was the happy Mother of seven Sons, and three Daughters, which she would often say, was Job's number, and Job's distribution; and as often bless God, that they were neither defective in their shapes, or in their reason; and very often reprove them that did not praise God for so great a blessing. I shall give the Reader a short accompt of their names, and not say much of their Fortunes.
Edward the eldest was first made Kt. of the Bath, in that glorious time of our late Prince Henries being install'd Knight of the Garter; and after many years useful travel, and the attainment of many Languages, he was by King James sent Ambassador Resident to the then French King, Lewis the Thirteenth. There he continued about two Years; but he could not subject himself to a compliance with the humors of the Duke de Luines, who was then the great and powerful Favourite at Court: so that upon a complaint to our King, he was call'd back into England in some displeasure; but at his return he gave such an honourable account of his employment, and so justified his Comportment to the Duke, and all the Court, that he was suddenly sent back upon the same Embassie, from which he return'd in the beginning of the Reign of our good King Charles the first, who made him first Baron of Castle-Island; and not long after of Cherbery in the County of Salop: He was a man of great learning and reason, as appears by his printed Book de veritate; and by his History of the Reign of K. Hen. the Eight, & by several other Tracts.
The second and third Brothers were Richard and William, who ventur'd their lives to purchase Honour in the Wars of the Low Countries, and died Officers in that employment. Charles was the fourth, and died Fellow of ®New-Colledge in Oxford. Henry was the sixth, who became a menial servant to the Crown in the daies of King James, and hath continued to be so for fifty years: during all which time he hath been Master of the Revels; a place that requires a diligent wisdom, with which God hath blest him. The seventh Son was Thomas, who being made Captain of a Ship in that Fleet with which Sir Robert Mansel was sent against Algiers, did there show a fortunate and true English valor. Of the three Sisters, I need not say more, then that they were all married to persons of worth, and plentiful fortunes; and liv'd to be examples of vertue, and to do good in their generations.
I now come to give my intended account of George, who was the fifth of those seven Brothers.
George Herbert spent much of his Childhood in a sweet content under the eye and care of his prudent mother, and the tuition of a Chaplain or Tutor to him, and two of his Brothers, in her own Family (for she was then a Widow) where he continued, till about the age of twelve years; and being at that time well instructed in the Rules of Grammar, he was not long after commended to the care of Dr. Neale, who was then Dean of Westminster; and by him to the care of Mr. Ireland, who was then chief Master of that School; where the beauties of his pretty behaviour and wit, shin'd and became so eminent and lovely in that his innocent age, that he seem'd to be marked out for piety, and to become the care of heaven, and of a particular good Angel to guard and guide him. And thus, he continued in that School, till he came to be perfect in the learned Languages, and especially in the Greek Tongue, in which he after prov'd an excellent Critick.
About the age of Fifteen, he, being then a King's Scholar, was elected out of that School for Trinity Colledge in Cambridge, to which place he was transplanted about the year 1608, and his prudent mother well knowing, that he might easily lose, or lessen that virtue and innocence which her advice and example had planted in his mind; did therefore procure the generous and liberal Dr Nevil, who was then Dean of Canterbury, and Master of that Colledge, to take him into his particular care, and provide him a Tutor; which he did most gladly undertake, for he knew the excellencies of his Mother, and how to value such a friendship.
This was the method of his Education, till he was setled in Cambridge, where we will leave him in his Study, till I have paid my promis'd account of his excellent Mother, and I will endeavour to make it short.
I have told her birth, her Marriage, and the Number of her Children, and have given some short account of them: I shall next tell the Reader, that her husband dyed when our George was about the Age of four years: I am next to tell that she continued twelve years a Widow: that she then married happily to a Noble Gentleman, the Brother and Heir of the Lord Danvers Earl of Danby, who did highly value both her person and the most excellent endowments of her mind.
In this time of her Widowhood, she being desirous to give Edward her eldest son, such advantages of Learning, and other education as might suit his birth and fortune: and thereby make him the more fit for the service of his Country: did at his being of a fit age, remove from Montgomery Castle with him, and some of her younger sons to Oxford; and having entred Edward into Queen's Colledge, and provided him a fit Tutor, she commended him to his Care; yet she continued there with him, and still kept him in moderate awe of her self: and so much under her own eye, as to see and converse with him daily; but she managed this power over him without any such rigid sourness, as might make her company a torment to her Child; but with such a sweetness and complyance with the recreations and pleasures of youth, as did incline him willingly to spend much of his time in the company of his dear and careful Mother: which was to her great content: for, she would often say, "That as our bodies take a nourishment sutable to the meat on which we feed: so, our souls do as insensibly take in vice by the example or Conversation with wicked Company: and would therefore as often say, That ignorance of Vice was the best preservation of Vertue: and, that the very knowledge of wickedness was as tinder to inflame and kindle sin, and to keep it burning." For these reasons she indeared him to her own Company: and continued with him in Oxford four years: in which time, her great and harmless wit, her chearful gravity, and her obliging behaviour, gain'd her an acquaintance and friendship with most of any eminent worth or learning, that were at that time in or near the University; and particularly, with Mr John Donne, who then came accidentally to that place, in this time of her being there: it was that John Donne who was after Doctor Donne, and Dean of Saint Pauls London: and he at his leaving Oxford, writ and left there in verse a Character of the Beauties of her body, and mind; of the first, he saies,
- No Spring nor Summer-Beauty, has such grace
- As I have seen in an Autumnal face.
Of the latter he sayes,
- In all her words to every hearer fit
- You may at Revels, or at Council sit.
The rest of her Character may be read in his printed Poems, in that Elegy which bears the name of the Autumnal Beauty. For both he and she were then past the meridian of man's life.
This Amity, begun at this time, and place, was not an Amity that polluted their souls: but an Amity made up of a chain of sutable inclinations and vertues; an Amity, like that of St Chrysostoms to his dear and vertuous Olimpias; whom, in his Letters, he calls his Saint: Or, an Amity indeed more like that of St Hierom to his Paula; whose affection to her was such, that he turn'd Poet in his old Age, and then made her Epitaph; wishing all his Body were turn'd into Tongues, that he might declare her just praises to posterity. --- And this Amity betwixt her and Mr Donne, was begun in a happy time for him, he being then near to the Fortieth year of his Age (which was some years before he entred into Sacred Orders:) a time, when his necessities needed a daily supply for the support of his Wife, seven Children, and a Family: And in this time she prov'd one of his most bountiful Benefactors; and he, as grateful an acknowledger of it. You may take one testimony for what I have said of these two worthy persons, from this following Letter, and Sonnet.
MADAM,`Your Favours to me are every where; I use them, and have them. I enjoy them at London, and leave them there; and yet find them at Micham: such Riddles as these become things unexpressible; and such is your goodness. I was almost sorry to find your Servant here this day, because I was loth to have any witness of my not coming home last Night, and indeed of my coming this Morning: but my not coming was excusable, because earnest business detein'd me; and my coming this day, is by the example of your St.Mary Magdalen, who rose early upon Sunday, to seek that which she lov'd most; and so did I. And from her and my self, I return such things as are due to one to whom we owe all the good opinion, that they whom we need most, have of us --- by this Messenger, and on this good day, I commit the inclosed Holy Hymns and Sonnets (which for the matter, not the workmanship, have yet escap'd the fire) to your judgment, and to your protection too, if you think them worthy of it; and I have appointed this inclosed Sonnet to usher them to your happy hand.
- Your unworthiest Servant,
- Unless your accepting him to be so,
- have mended him.
JO. DONNE.
To the Lady Magdalen Herbert; of St.Mary Magdalen.
- Her of your name, whose fair inheritance
- Bethina was, and jointure Magdalo:
- An active faith so highly did advance,
- That she once knew, more than the Church did know,
- The Resurrection; so much good there is
- Deliver'd of her, that some Fathers be
- Loth to believe one woman could do this;
- But think these Magdalens were two or three.
- Increase their number, Lady, and their fame:
- To their Devotion, add your Innocence:
- Take so much of th' example, as of the name;
- The latter half; and in some recompence
- That they did harbour Christ himself, a Guest,
- Harbour these Hymns, to his dear name addrest.
J.D.
These Hymns are now lost to us; but doubtless they were such, as they two now sing in Heaven.
There might be more demonstrations of the Friendship, and the many sacred Indearments betwixt these two excellent persons (for I have many of their Letters in my hand) and much more might be said of her great prudence and piety: but my design was not to write hers, but the Life of her Son: and therefore I shall only tell my Reader, that about that very day twenty years that this letter was dated, and sent her, I saw and heard this Mr John Donne (who was then Dean of St. Pauls) weep, and preach her Funeral Sermon, in the Parish-Church of Cholsey near London, where she now rests in her quiet Grave: and where we must now leave her, and return to her Son George, whom we left in his Study in Cambridge.
And in Cambridge we may find our George Herberts behaviour to be such, that we may conclude, he consecrated the first-fruits of his early age to vertue, and a serious study of learning. And that he did so, this following Letter and Sonnet which were in the first year of his going to Cambridge sent his dear Mother for a New-years gift, may appear to be some testimony.
--- `But I fear the heat of my late Ague hath dried up those springs, by which Scholars say, the Muses use to take up their habitations. However, I need not their help, to reprove the vanity of those many Love-poems, that are daily writ and consecrated to Venus; nor to bewail that so few are writ, that look towards God and Heaven. For my own part, my meaning (dear Mother) is in these Sonnets, to declare my resolution to be, that my poor Abilities in Poetry shall be all, and ever consecrated to God's glory; and I beg you to receive this as one testimony.'
- My God, where is that ancient heat towards thee,
- Wherewith whole showls of Martyrs once did burn,
- Besides their other flames? Doth Poetry
- Wear Venus Livery? only serve her turn?
- Why are not Sonnets made of thee? and layes
- Vpon thine Altar burnt? Cannot thy love
- Heighten a spirit to sound out thy praise
- As well as any she? Cannot thy Dove
- Out-strip their Cupid easily in flight?
- Or, since thy ways are deep, and still the same,
- Will not a verse run smooth that bears thy name?
- Why doth that fire, which by thy power and might
- Each breast does feel, no braver fuel choose
- Than that, which one day, Worms may chance refuse.
- Sure Lord, there is enough in thee to dry
- Oceans of Ink; for, as the Deluge did
- Cover the Earth, so doth thy Majesty:
- Each cloud distils thy praise, and doth forbid
- Poets to turn it to another use.
- Roses and Lillies speak thee; and to make
- A pair of Cheeks of them, is thy abuse.
- Why should I Womens eyes for Chrystal take?
- Such poor invention burns in their low mind
- Whose fire is wild, and doth not upward go
- To praise, and, on thee Lord, some Ink bestow.
- Open the bones, and you shall nothing find
- In the best face but filth; when Lord, in thee
- The beauty lies, in the discovery.
G.H.
This was his resolution at the sending this Letter to his dear Mother; about which time, he was in the Seventeenth year of his Age: and, as he grew older, so he grew in learning, and more and more in favour both with God and man: insomuch, that in this morning of that short day of his life, he seem'd to be mark'd out for vertue, and to become the care of Heaven; for God still kept his soul in so holy a frame, that he may, and ought to be a pattern of vertue to all posterity; and especially, to his Brethren of the Clergy, of which the Reader may expect a more exact account in what will follow.
I need not declare that he was a strict Student, because, that he was so, there will be many testimonies in the future part of his life. I shall therefore only tell, that he was made Batchelor of Art in the year 1611. Major Fellow of the Colledge, March 15. 1615. And that in that year, he was also made Master of Arts, he being then in the 22d year of his Age; during all which time, all, or the greatest diversion from his Study, was the practice of Musick, in which he became a great Master; and of which, he would say, `That it did relieve his drooping spirits, compose his distracted thoughts, and raise his weary soul so far above Earth, that it gave him an earnest of the joys of Heaven, before he possest them.' And it may be noted, that from his first entrance into the Colledge, the generous Dr Nevil was a cherisher of his Studies, and such a lover of his person, his behaviour, and the excellent endowments of his mind, that he took him often into his own company; by which he confirm'd his native gentileness; and if during this time he exprest any Error, it was, that he kept himself too much retir'd, and at too great a distance with all his inferiours: and his cloaths seem'd to prove, that he put too great a value on his parts and Parentage.
This may be some account of his disposition, and of the employment of his time, till he was Master of Arts, which was Anna 1615. and in the year 1619. he was chosen Orator for the University. His two precedent Orators, were Sir Robert Nanton, and Sir Francis Nethersoll: the first was not long after made Secretary of State; and Sir Francis, not very long after his being Orator, was made Secretary to the Lady Elizabeth Queen of Bohemia. In this place of Orator, our George Herbert continued eight years; and manag'd it with as becoming, and grave a gaiety, as any had ever before, or since his time. For He had acquir'd great Learning, and was blest with a high fancy, a civil and sharp wit, and with a natural elegance, both in his behaviour, his tongue, and his pen. Of all which, there might be very many particular evidences, but I will limit my self to the mention of but three.
And the first notable occasion of shewing his fitness for this employment of Orator, was manifested in a Letter to King James, upon the occasion of his sending that University his Book, called Basilicon Doron; and their Orator was to acknowledge this great honour, and return their gratitude to His Majesty for such a condescension; at the close of which Letter, he writ,
- Quid Vaticanam Bodleianamque objicis hospes?
- Vnicus est nobis Bibliotheca Liber.
This Letter was writ in such excellent Latin, was so full of Conceits, and all the expressions so suted to the genius of the King, that he inquired the Orators name, and then ask'd William Earl of Pembroke, if he knew him? whose answer was, `That he knew him very well; and that he was his Kinsman, but he loved him more for his learning and vertue, than for that he was of his name and family.' At which answer, the King smil'd, and asked the Earl leave, `that he might love him too; for he took him to be the Jewel of that University.'
The next occasion he had and took to shew his great Abilities, was, with them, to shew also his great affection to that Church in which he received his Baptism, and of which he profest himself a member; and the occasion was this: there was one Andrew Melvin, a Minister of the Scotch Church, and Rector of St.Andrews; who, by a long and constant Converse, with a discontented part of that Clergy which oppos'd Episcopacy, became at last to be a chief leader of that Faction: and, had proudly appear'd to be so, to King James, when he was but King of that Nation, who the second year after his Coronation in England, conven'd a part of the Bishops and other Learned Divines of his Church, to attend him at Hampton-Court, in order to a friendly Conference with some Dissenting Brethren, both of this, and the Church of Scotland: of which Scotch party, Andrew Melvin was one; and, he being a man of learning, and inclin'd to Satyrical Poetry, had scatter'd many malicious bitter Verses against our Liturgy, our Ceremonies, and our Church-government: which were by some of that party, so magnified for the wit, that they were therefore brought into Westminster-School, where Mr. George Herbert then, and often after, made such answers to them, and such reflexion on him and his Kirk, as might unbeguile any man that was not too deeply pre-ingaged in such a quarrel. --- But to return to Mr. Melvin at Hampton-Court-Conference, he there appear'd to be a man of an unruly wit, of a strange confidence, of so furious a Zeal, and of so ungovern'd passions, that his insolence to the King, and others at this conference, lost him both his Rectorship of St. Andrews, and his liberty too: for, his former Verses, and his present reproaches there used against the Church and State, caus'd him to be committed prisoner to the Tower of London: where he remained very angry for three years. At which time of his commitment, he found the Lady Arabella an innocent prisoner there; and he pleas'd himself much in sending the next day after his Commitment, these two Verses to the good Lady, which I will under-write, because they may give the Reader a taste of his others, which were like these.
- Causa tibi mecum est communis, Carceris, Ara-
- Bella; tibi causa est, Araque sacra mihi.
I shall not trouble my Reader with an account of his enlargement from that Prison, or his Death; but tell him, Mr. Herberts Verses were thought so worthy to be preserv'd, that Dr. Duport the learned Dean of Peterborough, hath lately collected, and caus'd many of them to be printed, as an honourable memorial of his friend Mr. George Herbert, and the Cause he undertook.
And, in order to my third and last observation of his great Abilities, it will be needful to declare, that about this time King James came very often to hunt at New-Market and Royston; and was almost as often invited to Cambridge, where his entertainment was Comedies suted to his pleasant humor; and where Mr.George Herbert was to welcome him with Gratulations, and the Applauses of an Orator; which he alwaies perform'd so well, that he still grew more into the Kings favour, insomuch, that he had a particular appointment to attend His Majesty at Royston, where after a Discourse with him, His Majesty declar'd to his Kinsman, the Earl of Pembroke, `That he found the Orators learning and wisdom, much above his age or wit.' The year following, the King appointed to end His progress at Cambridge, and to stay there certain days; at which time, he was attended by the great Secretary of Nature, and all Learning, Sir Francis Bacon (Lord Verulam) and by the ever memorable and learned Dr Andrews Bishop of Winchester, both which did at that time begin a desir'd friendship with our Orator. Upon whom, the first put such a value on his judgment, that he usually desir'd his approbation, before he would expose any of his Books to be printed, and thought him so worthy of his friendship, that having translated many of the Prophet Davids Psalms into English Verse, he made George Herbert his Patron, by a publick dedication of them to him, as the best Judge of Divine Poetry. And for the learned Bishop, it is observable, that at that time, there fell to be a modest debate betwixt them two about Predestination, and Sanctity of life; of both which, the Orator did not long after send the Bishop some safe and useful Aphorisms, in a long Letter written in Greek; which Letter was so remarkable for the language, and reason of it, that after the reading it, the Bishop put it into his bosom, and did often shew it to many Scholars, both of this, and forreign Nations; but did alwaies return it back to the place where he first lodg'd it, and continu'd it so near his heart, till the last day of his life.
To these, I might add the long and intire friendship betwixt him and Sir Henry Wotton, and Doctor Donne, But I have promis'd to contract my self, and shall therefore only add one testimony to what is also mentioned in the Life of Doctor Donne: namely, that a little before his death, he caused many Seals to be made, and in them to be ingraven the figure of Christ crucified on an Anchor (the emblem of hope) and of which Doctor Donne would often say, Crux mihi Anchora. --- These Seals, he gave or sent to most of those friends on which he put a value: and, at Mr.Herberts death, these Verses were found wrapt up with that Seal which was by the Doctor given to him.
- When my dear Friend could write no more,
- He gave this Seal, and so gave ore.
- When winds and waves rise highest, I am sure,
- This Anchor keeps my faith, that me secure.
At this time of being Orator, he had learnt to understand the Italian, Spanish, and French Tongues very perfectly: hoping, that as his Predecessors, so he might in time attain the place of a Secretary of State, he being at that time very high in the Kings favour; and not meanly valued and lov'd by the most eminent and most powerful of the Court- Nobility: This, and the love of a Court-conversation mixt with a laudible ambition to be something more than he then was, drew him often from Cambridge to attend the king wheresoever the Court was, who then gave him a Sine Cure, which fell into his Majesties disposal, I think, by the death of the Bishop of St.Asaph. It was the same, that Queen Elizabeth had formerly given to her Favourite Sir Philip Sidney; and valued to be worth an hundred and twenty pound per Annum. With this, and his Annuity, and the advantage of his Colledge, he enjoyed his gentile humor for cloaths, and Court-like company, and seldom look'd towards Cambridge, unless the King were there, but then he never fail'd; and, at other times, left the manage of his Orators place, to his learned friend Mr.Herbert Thorndike, who is now Prebend of Westminster.
I may not omit to tell, that he had often design'd to leave the University, and decline all Study, which he thought did impair his health; for he had a body apt to a Consumption, and to Fevers, and other infirmities which he judg'd were increas'd by his Studies; for he would often say, `He had too thoughtful a Wit: a Wit, like a Pen-knife in too narrow a sheath, too sharp for his Body:' But his Mother would by no means allow him to leave the University, or to travel: and, though he inclin'd very much to both, yet he would by no means satisfie his own desires at so dear a rate, as to prove an undutiful Son to so affectionate a Mother; but did always submit to her wisdom. And what I have now said, may partly appear in a Copy of verses in his printed Poems'; 'tis one of those that bears the title of Affliction: And it appears to be a pious reflection on Gods providence, and some passages of his life, in which he saies,
- Whereas my birth and spirit rather took
- The way that takes the Town:
- Thou didst betray me to a lingring Book,
- And wrap me in a Gown:
- I was intangled in a World of strife,
- Before I had the power to change my life.
- Yet, for I threatned oft the Siege to raise,
- Not simpring all mine age:
- Thou often didst with Academick praise,
- Melt, and dissolve my rage:
- I took the sweetned Pill, till I came where
- I could not go away, nor persevere.
- Yet, least perchance, I should too happy be
- In my unhappiness:
- Turning my purge to food, thou throwest me
- Into more sicknesses.
- Thus doth thy power Cross-byass me, not making
- Thine own gifts good; yet me from my ways taking.
- Now I am here, what thou wilt do with me
- None of my Books will shew:
- I read, and sigh, and wish I were a Tree,
- For then sure I should grow
- To fruit or shade, at least, some Bird would trust
- Her Household with me, and I would be just.
- Yet, though thou troublest me, I must be meek;
- In weakness must be stout:
- Well, I will change my service, and go seek
- Some other Master out:
- Ah my dear God! though I am clean forgot,
- Let me not love thee, if I love thee not.
G.H.
In this time of Mr.Herberts attendance and expectation of some good occasion to remove from Cambridge, to Court; God, in whom there is an unseen Chain of Causes, did in a short time put an end to the lives of two of his most obliging and most powerful friends, Lodowick Duke of Richmond, and James Marquess of Hamilton; and not long after him, King James died also, and with them, all Mr.Herbert's Court-hopes: So that he presently betook himself to a Retreat from London, to a Friend in Kent, where he liv'd very privately, and was such a lover of solitariness, as was judg'd to impair his health, more then his Study had done. In this time of Retirement, he had many Conflicts with himself, Whether he should return to the painted pleasures of a Court-life, or betake himself to a study of Divinity, and enter into Sacred Orders? (to which his dear Mother had often persuaded him.) These were such Conflicts, as they only can know, that have endur'd them; for ambitious Desires, and the outward Glory of this World, are not easily laid aside; but, at last, God inclin'd him to put on a resolution to serve at his Altar.
He did at his return to London, acquaint a Court-friend with his resolution to enter into Sacred Orders, who persuaded him to alter it, as too mean an employment, and too much below his birth, and the excellent abilities and endowments of his mind. To whom he replied, `It hath been formerly judged that the Domestick Servants of the King of Heaven, should be of the noblest Families on Earth: and, though the Iniquity of the late Times have made Clergy-men meanly valued, and the sacred name of Priest contemptible; yet I will labour to make it honourable, by consecrating all my learning, and all my poor abilities, to advance the glory of that God that gave them; knowing, that I can never do too much for him, that hath done so much for me, as to make me a Christian. And I will labour to be like my Saviour, by making Humility lovely in the eyes of all men, and by following the merciful and meek example of my dear Jesus.
This then was his resolution, and the God of Constancy, who intended him for a great example of vertue, continued him in it; for within that year he was made Deacon, but the day when, or by whom, I cannot learn; but that he was about that time made Deacon, is most certain; for I find by the Records of Lincoln, that he was made Prebend of Layton Ecclesia, in the Diocess of Lincoln, July 15. 1626. and that this Prebend was given him, by John, then Lord Bishop of that See. And now, he had a fit occasion to shew that Piety and Bounty that was deriv'd from his generous Mother, and his other memorable Ancestors, and the occasion was this.
This Layton Ecclesia, is a Village near to Spalden in the County of Huntington, and the greatest part of the Parish Church was fallen down, and that of it which stood, was so decayed, so little, and so useless, that the Parishioners could not meet to perform their Duty to God in publick prayer and praises; and thus it had been for almost 20 years, in which time there had been some faint endeavours for a publick Collection, to enable the Parishioners to rebuild it, but with no success, till Mr.Herbert undertook it; and he, by his own, and the contribution of many of his Kindred, and other noble Friends, undertook the Re-edification of it; and made it so much his whole business, that he became restless, till he saw it finisht as it now stands: being, for the workmanship, a costly Mosaick: for the form, an exact Cross; and for the decency and beauty, I am assur'd it is the most remarkable Parish-Church, that this Nation affords. He lived to see it so wainscoated, as to be exceeded by none; and, by his order, the Reading Pew, and Pulpit, were a little distant from each other, and both of an equal height; for he would often say, `They should neither have a precedency or priority of the other: but that Prayer and Preaching being equally useful, might agree like Brethren, and have an equal honour and estimation.
Before I proceed farther, I must look back to the time of Mr.Herberts being made Prebend, and tell the Reader, that not long after, his Mother being inform'd of his intentions to Re-build that Church: and apprehending the great trouble and charge that he was likely to draw upon himself, his Relations, and Friends, before it could be finisht; sent for him from London to Cholsey (where she then dwelt) and at his coming said --- `George, I sent for you, to perswade to commit Simony, by giving your Patron as good a gift as he has given to you; namely, that you give him back his Prebend; for, George, it is not for your weak body, and empty purse, to undertake to build Churches.' Of which, he desir'd he might have a Days time to consider, and then make her an Answer: And at his return to her the next Day, when he had first desired her blessing, and she given it him, his next request was, `That she would at the Age of Thirty three Years, allow him to become an undutiful Son; for he had made a Vow to God, that if he were able, he would Re-build that Church': And then, shew'd her such reasons for his resolution, that she presently subscribed to be one of his Benefactors: and undertook to sollicit William Earl of Pembroke to become another, who subscribed for fifty pounds; and not long after, by a witty, and persuasive Letter from Mr.Herbert, made it fifty pounds more. And in this nomination of some of his Benefactors, James Duke of Lenox, and his brother Sir Henry Herbert, ought to be remembered; as also, the bounty of Mr.Nicholas Farrer, and Mr.Arthur Woodnot; the one, a Gentleman in the Neighbourhood of Layton, and the other, a Goldsmith in Foster-lane, London, ought not to be forgotten: for the memory of such men ought to out-live their lives. Of Master Farrer, I shall hereafter give an account in a more seasonable place: but before I proceed farther, I will give this short account of Master Arthur Woodnot.
He was a man, that had consider'd, overgrown Estates do often require more care and watchfulness to preserve, than get them, and consider'd that there be many Discontents, that Riches cure not: and did therefore set limits to himself as to desire of wealth: And having attain'd so much as to be able to shew some mercy to the Poor, and preserve a competence for himself, he dedicated the remaining part of his life to the service of God; and to be useful for his Friends; and he prov'd to be so to Mr.Herbert; for, beside his own bounty, he collected and return'd most of the money that was paid for the Re-building of that Church, he kept all the account of the charges, and would often go down to state them, and see all the Workmen paid. When I have said, that this good man was a useful Friend to Mr.Herberts Father, and to his Mother, and continued to be so to him, till he clos'd his eyes on his Death-bed; I will forbear to say more, till I have the next fair occasion to mention the holy friendship that was betwixt him and Mr.Herbert. --- From whom Mr.Woodnot carryed to his Mother the following Letter, and delivered it to her in a sickness which was not long before that which prov'd to be her last.
MADAM,At my last parting from you, I was the better content because I was in hope I should my self carry all sickness out of your family: but, since I know I did not, and that your share continues, or rather increaseth, I wish earnestly that I were again with you: and would quickly make good my wish, but that my employment does fix me here, it being now but a month to our Commencement: wherein, my absence by how much it naturally augmenteth suspicion, by so much shall it make my prayers the more constant and the more earnest for you to the God of all Consolation. --- In the mean time, I beseech you to be chearful, and comfort your self in the God of all Comfort, who is not willing to behold any sorrow but for sin. --- What hath Affliction grievous in it more then for a moment? or why should our afflictions here, have so much power or boldness as to oppose the hope of our Joys hereafter? --- Madam! As the earth is but a point in respect of the heavens, so are earthly Troubles compar'd to heavenly Joys; therefore, if either Age or Sickness lead you to those Joys, consider what advantage you have over Youth and Health, who are now so near those true Comforts. --- Your last Letter gave me Earthly preferment, and I hope kept Heavenly for your self: but, wou'd you divide and choose too? our Colledge Customs allow not that, and I shou'd account my self most happy if I might change with you: for, I have always observ'd the thred of Life to be like other threds or skenes of silk, full of snarles and incumbrances: Happy is he, whose bottom is wound up and laid ready for work in the New Jerusalem. --- For my self, dear Mother, I alwaies fear'd sickness more then death, because sickness hath made me unable to perform those Offices for which I came into the world, and must yet be kept in it; but you are freed from that fear, who have already abundantly discharg'd that part, having both ordered your Family, and so brought up your Children that they have attain'd to the years of Discretion, and competent Maintenance. --- So that now if they do not well the fault cannot be charg'd on you, whose Example and Care of them, will justifie you both to the world and your own Conscience: insomuch, that whether you turn your thoughts on the life past, or on the Joys that are to come, you have strong preservatives against all disquiet. --- And for temporal Afflictions: I beseech you consider all that can happen to you, are either afflictions of Estate, or Body, or Mind. --- For those of Estate, of what poor regard they ought to be, since if we had Riches we are commanded to give them away: so that the best use of them is, having, not to have them. --- But perhaps being above the Common people, our Credit and estimation calls on us to live in a more splendid fashion? --- but, O God! how easily is that answered, when we consider that the Blessings in the holy Scripture, are never given to the rich, but to the poor. I never find Blessed be the Rich; or, Blessed be the Noble; but, Blessed be the Meek, and, Blessed be the poor, and, Blessed be the Mourners, for they shall be comforted --- And yet, Oh God! most carry themselves so, as if they not only not desir'd, but even fear to be blessed. --- And for Afflictions of the Body, dear Madam, remember the holy Martyrs of God, how they have been burnt by thousands, and have endur'd such other Tortures, as the very mention of them might beget amazement; but their Fiery-trials have had an end: and yours (which praised be God are less) are not like to continue long. --- I beseech you let such thoughts as these, moderate your present fear and sorrow; and know, that if any of yours shou'd prove a Goliah-like trouble, yet you may say with David, --- That God who hath delivered me out of the paws of the Lion and Bear, will also deliver me out of the hands of this uncircumcised Philistin. --- Lastly, for those Afflictions of the Soul: consider, that God intends that to be as a sacred Temple for himself to dwell in, and will not allow any room there for such an in-mate as Grief; or allow that any sadness shall be his Competitor. --- And above all, If any care of future things molest you, remember those admirable words of the Psalmist: Cast thy Care on the Lord and he shall nourish thee. To which join that of St.Peter, Casting all your Care on the Lord, for he careth for you. --- What an admirable thing is this, that God puts his shoulder to our burthen! and, entertains our care for us that we may the more quietly intend his service. --- To Conclude, Let me commend only one place more to you (Philip. 4.4.) St. Paul saith there: Rejoice in the Lord alwaies, and again I say rejoice. ®He doubles it to take away the scruple of those that might say, What shall we rejoice in afflictions? yes, I say again rejoice; so that it is not left to us to rejoice or nor rejoice: but whatsoever befalls us we must always, at all times rejoice in the Lord, who taketh care for us: and it follows in the next verse: Let your moderation appear to all men, the Lord is at hand: be careful for nothing. What can be said more comfortably? trouble not yourselves, God is at hand to deliver us from all, or in all. --- Dear Madam, pardon my boldness, and accept the good meaning of,
Your most obedient Son,George Herbert
- Trin. Col.
- May 25.
- 1622.
About the yeat 1629, and the 34th of his Age, Mr Herbert was seized with a sharp Quotidian Ague, and thought to remove it by the change of Air; to which end, he went to Woodford in Essex, but thither more chiefly, to enjoy the company of his beloved Brother Sir Henry Herbert and other Friends then of that Family. In his House he remain'd about Twelve Months, and there became his own Physitian, and cur'd himself of his Ague, by forbearing Drink, and not eating any Meat, no not Mutton, nor a Hen, or Pidgeon, unless they were salted; and by such a constant Dyet, he remov'd his Ague, but with inconveniences that were worse: for he brought upon himself a disposition to Rheums, and other weaknesses, and a supposed Consumption. And it is to be Noted, that in the sharpest of his extream Fits, he would often say, Lord, abate my great affliction, or increase my patience; but, Lord, I repine not, I am dumb, Lord, before thee, because thou doest it. By which, and a sanctified submission to the Will of God, he shewed he was inclinable to bear the sweet yoke of Christian Discipline, both then, and in the latter part of his life, of which there will be many true Testimonies.
And now his care was to recover from his Consumption by a change, from Woodford into such an air as was most proper to that end. And his remove was to Dantsey in Wiltshire, a noble House which stands in a choice Air; the owner of it then was Lord Danvers Earl of Danby, who lov'd Mr.Herbert so very much, that he allow'd him such an apartment in it, as might best sute with his accommodation and liking. And, in this place, by a spare Dyet, declining all perplexing Studies, moderate exercise, and a chearful conversation, his health was apparently improv'd to a good degree of strength and chearfulness: and then, he declar'd his resolution both to marry, and to enter into the Sacred Orders of Priesthood. These had long been the desires of his Mother, and his other Relations; but she liv'd not to see either, for she died in the year 1627. And, though he was disobedient to her about Layton Church, yet in conformity to her will, he kept his Orators place, till after her death; and then presently declin'd it: And, the more willingly, that he might be succeeded by his friend Robert Creighton who is now Dr.Creighton, and the worthy Bishop of Wells.
I shall now proceed to his Marriage; in order to which, it will be convenient, that I first give the Reader a short view of his person, and then an account of this Wife, and of some circumstances concerning both. --- He was for his person of a stature inclining towards Tallness; his body was very strait, and so far from being cumbred with too much flesh, that he was lean to an extremity. His aspect was chearful, and his speech and motion did both declare him a Gentleman; for they were all so meek and obliging, that they purchased love and respect from all that knew him.
These, and his other visible vertues, begot him much love from a Gentleman, of a Noble fortune, and a near kinsman to his friend the Earl of Danby; namely, from Mr. Charles Danvers of Bainton, in the County of Wilts Esq; this Mr. Danvers having known him long, and familiarly, did so much affect him, that he often and publickly declar'd a desire that Mr. Herbert would marry any of his Nine Daughters (for he had so many) but rather his Daughter Jane, than any other, because Jane was his beloved Daughter: And he had often said the same to Mr. Herbert himself; and that if he could like her for a Wife, and she him for a Husband, Jane should have a double blessing: and Mr. Danvers had so often said the like to Jane, and so much commended Mr. Herbert to her, that Jane became so much a Platonick, as to fall in love with Mr. Herbert unseen.
This was a fair preparation for a Marriage; but alas, her father died before Mr. Herberts retirement to Dantsey; yet some friends to both parties, procur'd their meeting; at which time a mutual affection entered into both their hearts, as a Conqueror enters into a surprized City, and Love having got such possession govern'd, and made there such Laws and Resolutions, as neither party was able to resist; insomuch, that she chang'd her name into Herbert, the third day after this first interview.
This haste might in others be thought a Love-phrensie, or worse: but it was not; for they had wooed so like Princes, as to have select Proxies: such, as were true friends to both parties; such as well understood Mr. Herberts, and her temper of mind; and also their Estates so well, before this Interview, that, the suddenness was justifiable, by the strictest Rules of prudence: and the more, because it prov'd so happy to both parties; for the eternal lover of Mankind, made them happy in each others mutual and equal affections, and compliance; indeed, so happy, that there was never any opposition betwixt them, unless it were a Contest which should most incline to a compliance with the others desires. And though this begot, and continued in them, such a mutual love and joy, and content, as was no way defective: yet this mutual content, and love, and joy, did receive a daily augmentation, by such daily obligingness to each other, as still added such new affluences to the former fulness of these divine Souls, as was only improvable in Heaven, where they now enjoy it.
About three months after his Marriage, Dr. Curle, who was then Rector of Bemerton in Wiltshire, was made Bishop of Bath and Wells (and not long after translated to Winchester, and by that means the presentation of a Clerk to Bemerton, did not fall to the Earl of Pembroke (who was the undoubted Patron of it) but to the King, by reason of Dr. Curles advancement: but Philip, then Earl of Pembroke (for William was lately dead) requested the King to bestow it upon his kinsman George Herbert; and the King said, Most willingly to Mr. Herbert, if it be worth his acceptance: and the Earl as willingly and suddenly sent it him, without seeking; but though Mr. Herbert had formerly put on a resolution for the Clergy: yet, at receiving this presentation, the apprehension of the last great Account that he was to make for the Cure of so many Souls, made him fast and pray often, and consider, for not less than a month: in which time he had some resolutions to decline both the Priesthood, and that Living. And in this time of considering, He endur'd (as he would often say) such spiritual Conflicts, as none can think, but only those that have endur'd them.
In the midst of these Conflicts, his old and dear friend Mr. Arthur Woodnot, took a journey to salute him at Bainton (where he then was with his Wives Friends and Relations) and was joyful to be an Eye-witness of his Health, and happy Marriage. And after they had rejoyc'd together some few days, they took a journey to Wilton, the famous Seat of the Earls of Pembroke; at which time, the King, the Earl, and the whole Court were there, or at Salisbury, which is near to it. And at this time Mr. Herbert presented his Thanks to the Earl, for his presentation to Bemerton, but had not yet resolv'd to accept it, and told him the reason why; but that night, the Earl acquainted Dr. Laud, then Bishop of London, and after Archbishop of Canterbury, with his Kinsmans irresolution. And the Bishop did next day so convince Mr. Herbert, that the refusal of it was a sin; that a Taylor was sent for to come speedily from Salisbury to Wilton, to take measure, and make him Canonical Cloaths, against next day: which the Taylor did; and Mr. Herbert being so habited, went with his presentation to the learned Dr. Davenant, who was then Bishop of Salisbury, and he gave him Institution immediately (for Mr. Herbert had been made Deacon some years before) and he was also the same day (which was April 26. 1630) inducted into the good, and more pleasant, than healthful Parsonage of Bemerton: which is a Mile from ®Salisbury¯.
I have now Brought him to the Parsonage of Bemerton, ®and to the thirty sixth Year of his Age, and must stop here, and bespeak the Reader to prepare for an almost incredible story, of the great sanctity of the short remainder of his holy life; a life so full of Charity, Humility, and all Christian vertues, that it deserves the eloquence of St. Chrysostom to commend it and declare it! A life, that if it were related by a Pen like his, there would then be no need for this Age to look back into times past for the examples of primitive piety: for they might be all found in the life of George Herbert. But now, alas! who is fit to undertake it! I confess I am not: and am not pleas'd with my self that I must; and profess my self amaz'd when I consider how few of the Clergy liv'd like him then, and how many live so unlike him now: but, it becomes not me to censure: my design is rather to assure the Reader, that I have used every great diligence to inform my self, that I might inform him of the truth of what follows: and though I cannot adorn it with eloquence, yet I will do it with sincerity.
When at his induction he was shut into the Bemerton Church, being left there alone to Toll the Bell, (as the Law requires him:) he staid so much longer than an ordinary time, before he return'd to those Friends that staid expecting him at the Church-door, that his Friend, Mr. Woodnot, look'd in at the Church-window, and saw him lie prostrate on the ground before the Altar: at which time and place (as he after told Mr. Woodnot) he set some Rules to himself, for the future manage of his life; and then and there made a vow, to labour to keep them.
And the same night that he had his Induction, he said to Mr. Woodnot, I now look back upon my aspiring thoughts, and think my self more happy than if I had attain'd what then I so ambitiously thirsted for: And, I can now behold the Court with an impartial Eye, and see plainly, that it is made up of Fraud, and Titles, and Flattery, and many other such empty, imaginary painted Pleasures: Pleasures, that are so empty, as not to satisfy when they are enjoy'd; but in God and his service, is a fulness of all joy and pleasure, and no satiety: And I will now use all my endeavours to bring my Relations and Dependants to a love and relyance on him, who never fails those that trust him. But above all, I will be sure to live well, because the vertuous life of a Clergyman, is the most powerful eloquence to perswade all that see it, to reverence and love, and at least, to desire to live like him. And this I will do, because I know we live in an Age that hath more need of good examples, than precepts. And I beseech that God, who hath honour'd me so much as to call me to serve him at his Altar: that as by his special grace he hath put into my heart these good desires, and resolutions: so, he will by his assisting grace give me ghostly strength to bring the same to good effect: and I beseech him that my humble and charitable life may so win upon others, as to bring glory to my JESUS, whom I have this day taken to be my Master and Governour; and I am so proud of his service, that I will alwaies observe, and obey, and do his Will; and alwaies call him Jesus my Master, and I will alwaies contemn my birth, or any title or dignity that can be conferr'd upon me, when I shall compare them with my title of being a Priest, and serving at the Altar of Jesus my Master.
And that he did so, may appear in many parts of his Book of Sacred Poems; especially, in that which he calls the Odour. In which he seems to rejoyce in the thoughts of that word Jesus, and say that the adding these words my Master to it, and the often repetition of them, seem'd to perfume his mind, and leave an oriental fragrancy in his very breath. And for his unforced choice to serve at God's Altar, he seems in another place of his Poems (the Pearl, Matth. 13.) to rejoyce and say --- He knew the waies of Learning: knew, what nature does willingly; and what, when 'tis forc'd by fire: knew the waies of honour, and when glory inclines the Soul to noble expressions; knew the Court: knew the waies of pleasure, of love, of wit, of musick, and upon what terms he declined all these for the service of his Master JESUS, and then concludes, saying,
- That, through these Labyrinths, not my groveling Wit,
- But thy Silk-twist, let down from Heaven to me;
- Did both conduct, and teach me, how by it,
- To climb to thee.
The third day after he was made Rector of Bemerton, and had changed his sword and silk Cloaths into a Canonical Coat; he return'd so habited with his friend Mr. Woodnot to Bainton: And, immediately after he had seen and saluted his Wife, he said to her --- You are now a Ministers Wife, and must now so far forget your fathers house, as not to claim a precedence of any of your Parishioners; for you are to know, that a Priests Wife can challenge no precedence or place, but that which she purchases by her obliging humility; and, I am sure, places so purchased, do best become them. And let me tell you, That I am so good a Herald, as to assure you that this is truth. And she was so meek a Wife, as to assure him it was no vexing News to her, and that he should see her observe it with a chearful willingness. And indeed her unforc'd humility, that humility that was in her so original, as to be born with her, made her so happy as to do so; and her doing so, begot her an unfeigned love, and a serviceable respect from all that converst with her; and this love followed her in all places, as inseperably, as shadows follow substances in Sunshine.
It was not many days before he return'd back to Bemerton, to view the Church, and repair the Chancel; and indeed, to rebuild almost three parts of his house which was fall'n down, or decayed by reason of his Predecessors living at a better Parsonage-house; namely, at Minal, 16 or 20 miles from this place. At which time of Mr. Herberts coming alone to Bemerton, there came to him a poor old Woman, with an intent to acquaint him with her necessitous condition, as also, with some troubles of her mind; but after she had spoke some few words to him, she was surpriz'd with a fear, and that begot a shortness of breath, so that her spirits and speech fail'd her; which he perceiving, did so compassionate her, and was so humble, that he took her by the hand, and said, Speak, good Mother, be not afraid to speak to me; for I am a man that will hear you with patience; and will relieve your necessities too, if I be able: and this I will do willingly, and therefore, Mother, be not afraid to acquaint me with what you desire. After which comfortable speech, he again took her by the hand, made her sit down by him, & understanding she was of his Parish, he told her, He would be acquainted with her, and take her into his care: And having with patience heard and understood her wants (and it is some relief for a poor body to be but hear'd with patience) he like a Christian Clergyman comforted her by his meek behaviour and counsel; but because that cost him nothing, he reliev'd her with money too, and so sent her home with a chearful heart, praising God, and praying for him. Thus worthy, and (like Davids blessed man) thus lowly, was Mr. George Herbert in his own eyes: and thus lovely in the eyes of others.
At his return that Night to his Wife at Bainton, he gave her an account of the passages 'twixt him and the poor Woman: with which she was so affected, that she went next day to Salisbury, and there bought a pair of Blankets and sent them as a Token of her love to that poor Woman: and with them a Message, That she would see and be acquainted with her, when her house was built at Bemerton.
There be many such passages both of him and his Wife, of which some few will be related; but I shall first tell, that he hasted to get the Parish-Church repair'd; then, to beautifie the Chappel (which stands near his House) and that at his own great charge. He then proceeded to re-build the greatest part of the Parsonage-house, which he did also very compleatly, and at his own charge; and having done this good work, he caused these Verses to be writ upon, or ingraven in the Mantle of the Chimney in his Hall.
To my Successor.
- If thou chance for to find
- A new House to thy mind,
- And built without thy Cost:
- Be good to the Poor,
- As God gives thee store,
- And then my Labour's not lost.
We will now by the Readers favour suppose him fixt at Bemerton, and grant him to have seen the Church repair'd, and the Chappel belonging to it very decently adorn'd, at his own great charge (which is a real Truth) and having now fixt him there, I shall proceed to give an account of the rest of his behaviour both to his Parishioners, and those many others that knew and convers'd with him.
Doubtless Mr. Herbert had consider'd and given Rules to himself for his Christian carriage both to God and man before he enter'd into Holy Orders. And 'tis not unlike, but that he renewed those resolutions at his prostration before the Holy Altar, at his Induction into the Church of Bemerton; but as yet he was but a Deacon, and therefore long'd for the next Ember-week, that he might be ordain'd Priest, and made capable of Administring both the Sacraments. At which time, the Reverend Dr. Humphrey Hinchman, now Lord Bishop of London (who does not mention him, but with some veneration for his life and excellent learning) tells me, He laid his hand on Mr. Herberts Head, and (alas!) within less than three Years, leant his Shoulder to carry his dear Friend to his Grave.
And that Mr Herbert might the better preserve those holy Rules which such a Priest as he intended to be, ought to observe; and that time might not insensibly blot them out of his memory, but that the next year might shew him his variations from this years resolutions; he therefore did set down his Rules, then resolv'd upon, in that order, as the World now sees them printed in a little Book, call'd The Country Parson, in which some of his Rules are:
The Parsons Knowledge.
The Parson Condescend-
The Parson on Sundays.
The Parson Praying.
The Parson in his Journey.
The Parson Preaching.
The Parson in his Mirth.
The Parsons Charity.
The Parson with his Church-
The Parson comforting
The Parson Blessing the
The Parson Arguing.
And his behaviour toward God and man, may be said to be a practical Comment on these, and the other holy Rules set down in that useful Book. A Book, so full of plain, prudent and useful Rules, that that Country Parson, that can spare 12 d. and yet wants it, is scarce excusable; because it will both direct him what he ought to do, and convince him for not having done it.
At the Death of Mr. Herbert, this Book fell into the hands of his friend Mr. Woodnot; and he commended it into the trusty hands of Mr Barnabas Oly, who publisht it with a most conscientious, and excellent Preface; from which I have had some of those Truths, that are related in this life of Mr. Herbert. The Text for his first Sermon was taken out of Solomons Proverbs, and the words were, Keep thy heart with all diligence. In which first Sermon, he gave his Parishioners many necessary, holy, safe Rules for the discharge of a good Conscience, both to God and man. And deliver'd his Sermon after a most florid manner; both with great learning and eloquence. But at the close of this Sermon, told them, That should not be his constant way of Preaching, for, since Almighty God does not intend to lead men to heaven by hard Questions, he would not therefore fill their heads with unnecessary Notions; but that for their sakes, his language and his expressions should be more plain and practical in his future Sermons. And he then made it his humble request, That they would be constant to the Afternoons Service, and Catechising. And shewed them convincing reasons why he desir'd it; and his obliging example and perswasions brought them to a willing conformity to his desires.
The Texts for all his future Sermons (which God knows were not many) were constantly taken out of the Gospel for the day; and, he did as constantly declare why the Church did appoint that portion of Scripture to be that day read: And in what manner the Collect for every Sunday does refer to the Gospel, or to the Epistle then read to them; and that they might pray with understanding, he did usually take occasion to explain, not only the Collect for every particular Sunday, but the reasons of all the other Collects and Responses in our Church-Service; and, made it appear to them, that the whole Service of the Church, was a reasonable, and therefore an acceptable Sacrifice to God; as namely, that we begin with Confession of our selves to be vile, miserable sinners: and that we begin so, because till we have confess'd our selves to be such, we are not capable of that mercy which we acknowledge we need, and pray for; but having in the prayer of our Lord, begg'd pardon for those sins which we have confest: And hoping, that as the Priest hath declar'd our Absolution, so by our publick Confession, and real Repentance, we have obtain'd that pardon: Then we dare and do proceed to beg of our Lord, to open our lips, that our mouths may shew forth his praise, for, till then, we are neither able, nor worthy to praise him. But this being suppos'd, we are then fit to say, Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; and fit to proceed to a further service of our God, in the Collects, and Psalms, and Lauds that follow in the Service.
And as to these Psalms and Lauds, he proceeded to inform them, why they were so often, and some of them daily repeated in our Church-service: namely, the Psalms every Month, because they be an Historical and thankful repetition of mercies past; and such a composition of prayers and praises, as ought to be repeated often, and publickly: for with such Sacrifices, God is honour'd, and well-pleased. This, for the Psalms.
And for the Hymns and Lauds, appointed to be daily repeated or sung after the first and second Lessons are read to the Congregation: he proceeded to inform them, that it was most reasonable, after they have heard the will and goodness of God declar'd or preach't by the Priest in his reading the two Chapters, that it was then a seasonable duty to rise up and express their gratitude to Almighty God for those his mercies to them, and to all Mankind; and then to say with the blessed Virgin, That their Souls do magnifie the Lord, and that their spirits do also rejoyce in God their Saviour; And that it was their Duty also to rejoice with Simeon in his Song, and say with him, That their eyes have also seen their salvation; for they have seen that salvation which was but prophesied till his time: and he then broke out into those expressions of joy that he did see it; but they live to see it daily, in the History of it, and therefore ought daily to rejoice, and daily to offer up their Sacrifices of praise to their God, for that particular mercy. A service, which is now the constant employment of that blessed Virgin, and Simeon, and all those blessed Saints that are possest of Heaven: and where they are at this time interchangeably and constantly singing, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God, Glory be to God on High, and on Earth peace. --- And he taught them, that to do this, was an acceptable service to God, because the Prophet David says in his Psalms, He that praiseth the Lord, honoureth him.
He made them to understand, how happy they be that are freed from the incumbrances of that Law which our Fore-fathers groan'd under: namely, from the Legal Sacrifices: and from the many Ceremonies of the Levitical Law: freed from Circumcision, and from the strict observation of the Jewish Sabbath, and the like: And he made them know that having receiv'd so many, and so great blessings, by being born since the days of our Saviour, it must be an acceptable Sacrifice to Almighty God, for them to acknowledge those blessings daily, and stand up and worship, and say as Zacharias did, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he hath (in our days) visited and redeemed his people; and (he hath in our days) remembred, and shewed that mercy which by the mouth of the Prophets, he promised to our Fore-fathers: and this he hath done, according to his holy Covenant made with them: And he made them to understand that we live to see and enjoy the benefit of it, in his Birth, in his Life, his Passion, his Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven, where he now sits sensible of all our temptations and infirmities: and where he is at this present time making intercession for us, to his and our Father: and therefore they ought daily to express their publick gratulations, and say daily with Zacharias, Blessed be that Lord God of Israel, that hath visited, and thus redeemed his people. --- These were some of the reasons by which Mr. Herbert instructed his Congregation for the use of the Psalms, and the Hymns appointed to be daily sung or said in the Church-service.
He informed them also, when the Priest did pray only for the Congregation, and not for himself; and when they did only pray for him, as namely, after the repetition of the Creed, before he proceeds to pray the Lords prayer, or any of the appointed Collects, the Priest is directed to kneel down, and pray for them, saying --- The Lord be with you --- And when they pray for him, saying --- And with thy spirit; and then they join together in the following Collects, and he assur'd them, that when there is such mutual love, then the holy Angels look down from Heaven, and are ready to carry such charitable desires to God Almighty; and he as ready to receive them; and that a Christian Congregation calling thus upon God, with one heart, and one voice, and in one reverend and humble posture, look as beautifully as Jerusalem, that is at peace with it self.
He instructed them also, why the prayer of our Lord was pray'd often in every full service of the Church: namely, at the conclusion of the several parts of that Service; and pray'd then, not only because it was compos'd and commanded by our Jesus that made it, but as a perfect pattern for our less perfect forms of prayer, and therefore fittest to sum up and conclude all our imperfect Petitions.
He instructed them also, that as by the second Commandment we are requir'd not to bow down, or worship an Idol, or false God; so, by the contrary Rule, we are to bow down and kneel, or stand up and worship the true God. And he instructed them, why the Church requir'd the Congregation to stand up, at the repetition of the Creeds; namely, because they did thereby declare both their obedience to the Church, and an assent to that faith into which they had been baptiz'd. And he taught them, that in that shorter Creed, or Doxology so often repeated daily; they also stood up to testify their belief to be, that, The God that they trusted in was one God, and three persons; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, to whom they & the Priest gave glory: And because there had been Hereticks that had deny'd some of these three persons to be God; therefore the Congregation stood up and honour'd him, by confessing and saying, It was so in the beginning, is now so, and shall ever be so World without end. And all gave their assent to this belief, by standing up and saying, Amen.
He instructed them also, what benefit they had, by the Churches appointing the Celebration of Holy-dayes, and the excellent use of them; namely, that they were set apart for particular Commemorations of particular mercies received from Almighty God; and (as Reverend Mr. Hooker saies) to be the Landmarks to distinguish times; for by them we are taught to take notice how time passes by us; and that we ought not to let the Years pass without a Celebration of praise for those mercies which those days give us occasion to remember; & therefore they were to note that the Year is appointed to begin the 25th day of March; a day in which we commemorate the Angels appearing to the B.Virgin, with the joyful tidings that she should conceive and bear a Son, that should be the redeemer of Mankind; and she did so Forty weeks after this joyful salutation; namely, at our Christmas: a day in which we commemorate his Birth, with joy and praise; and that eight days after this happy Birth, we celebrate his Circumcision; namely in that which we call New-years day. And that upon that day which we call Twelfth- day, we commemorate the manifestation of the unsearchable riches of Jesus to the Gentiles: and that that day we also celebrate the memory of his goodness in sending a Star to guide the three wise men from the East to Bethlem, that they might there worship, and present him with their oblations of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrhe. And he (Mr. Herbert) instructed them, that Jesus was Forty days after his Birth, presented by his blessed mother in the Temple; namely, on that day which we call, the Purification of the blessed Virgin, Saint Mary. And he instructed them, that by the Lent-fast we imitate and commemorate our Saviours humiliation in fasting Forty days; and, that we ought to endeavour to be like him in purity. And, that on Good-friday we commemorate and condole his Crucifixion. And at Easter, commemorate his glorious Resurrection. And he taught them, that after Jesus had manifested himself to his Disciples, to be that Christ that was crucified, dead and buried; and by his appearing and conversing with his Disciples for the space of Forty days after his Resurrection, he then, and not till then, Ascended into Heaven, in the sight of those Disciples; namely, on that day which we call the Ascension, or Holy Thursday. And that we then celebrate the performance of the promise which he made to his Disciples, at or before his Ascension: namely that although he left them, yet he would send them the Holy Ghost to be their Comforter; and that he did so on that day which the Church calls Whitsunday. --- Thus the Church keeps an Historical and circular Commemoration of times, as they pass by us; of such times, as ought to incline us to occasionoal praises, for the particular blessings which we do, or might receive by those holy Commemorations.
He made them know also, why the Church hath appointed Ember-weeks; and to know the reason why the Commandments, and the Epistles and Gospels were to be read at the Altar, or Communion Table: why the Priest was to pray the Litany kneeling; and, why to pray some Collects standing; and he gave them many other observations, fit for his plain Congregation, but not fit for me now to mention; for I must set limits to my pen, and not make a Treatise, which I intended to be a much shorter account than I have made it; --- but I have done, when I have told the Reader, that he was constant in Catechising every Sunday in the After-noon, and that his Catechising was after his second lesson, and in the Pulpit, and that he never exceeded his half-hour, and was always so happy as to have an obedient, and a full Congregation.
And to this I must add, That if he were at any time too zealous in his Sermons, it was in reproving the indecencies of the peoples behaviour, in the time of Divine Service; and of those Ministers that hudled up the Church-prayers, without a visible reverence and affection; namely, such as seem'd to say the Lords prayer, or a Collect in a breath; but for himself, his custom was, to stop betwixt every Collect, and give the people time to consider what they had pray'd, and to force their desires affectionately to God, before he engag'd them into new Petitions.
And by this account of his diligence, to make his Parishioners understand what they pray'd, and why they prais'd, and ador'd their Creator: I hope I shall more easily obtain the Readers belief to the following account of Mr. Herberts own practice; which was, to appear constantly with his Wife, and three Neeces (the daughters of a deceased Sister) and his whole Family, twice every day at the Church-prayers, in the Chappel which does almost joyn to his Parsonage-house. And for the time of his appearing, it was strictly at the Canonical hours of 10 and 4; and then and there, he lifted up pure and charitable hands to God in the midst of the Congregation. And he would joy to have spent that time in that place, where the honour of his Master Jesus dwelleth; and there, by that inward devotion which he testified constantly by an humble behaviour, and visible adoration, he, like Joshua brought not only his own Household thus to serve the Lord; but brought most of his Parishioners, and many Gentlemen in the Neighbourhood, constantly to make a part of his Congregation twice a day; and some of the meaner sort of his Parish, did so love and reverence Mr. Herbert, that they would let their Plow rest when Mr. Herberts Saints-Bell rung to Prayers, that they might also offer their devotions to God with him: and would then return back to their Plow. And his most holy life was such, that it begot such reverence to God, and to him, that they thought themselves the happier, when they carried Mr. Herberts blessing back with them to their labour. --- Thus powerful was his reason, and example, to perswade others to a practical piety, and devotion.
And his constant publick prayers did never make him to neglect his own private devotions, nor those prayers that he thought himself bound to perform with his Family, which alwaies were a Set-form, and not long; and he did alwaies conclude them with that Collect which the Church hath appointed for the day or week. --- Thus he made every days sanctity a step towards that Kingdom where Impurity cannot enter.
His chiefest recreation was Musick, in which heavenly Art he was a most excellent Master, and did himself compose many divine Hymns and Anthems, which he set and sung to his Lute or Viol; and, though though he was a lover of retiredness, yet his love to Musick was such, that he went usually twice every week on certain appointed days, to the Cathedral Church in Salisbury; and at his return would say, That his time spent in Prayer, and Cathedral Musick, elevated his Soul, and was his Heaven upon Earth: But before his return thence to Bemerton, he would usually sing and play his part, at an appointed private Musick-meting; and, to justify this practice, he would often say, Religion does not banish mirth, but only moderates, and sets rules to it.
And as his desire to enjoy his Heaven upon Earth, drew him twice every week to Salisbury, so his walks thither, were the occasion of many happy accidents to others: of which I will mention some few.
In one of his walks to Salisbury, he overtook a Gentleman that is still living in that City, and in their walk together, Mr. Herbert took a fair occasion to talk with him, and humbly begg'd to be excused, if he ask'd him some account of his faith, and said, I do this the rather, because though you are not of my Parish, yet I receive Tythe from you by the hand of your Tenant; and, Sir, I am the bolder to do it, because I know there be some Sermon-hearers, that be like those Fishes, that always live in salt water, and yet are always fresh.
After which expression, Mr. Herbert asked him some needful Questions, and having received his answer, gave him such Rules for the trial of his sincerity, and for a practical piety, and in so loving and meek a manner, that the Gentleman did so fall in love with him, and his discourse, that he would often contrive to meet him in his walk to Salisbury, or to attend him back to Bemerton; and still mentions the name of Mr. George Herbert with veneration, and still praiseth God for the occasion of knowing him.
In another of his Salisbury walks, he met with a Neighbour Minister, and after some friendly Discourse betwixt them, and some Condolement for the decay of Piety, and too general contempt of the Clergy, Mr. Herbert took occasion to say,
One Cure for these Distempers would be for the Clergy themselves to keep the Ember-Weeks strictly, and beg of their Parishioners to joyn with them in Fasting and Prayer, for a more Religious Clergy.And another Cure would be, for themselves to restore the great and neglected duty of¯ Catechising, ®on which the salvation of so many of the poor and ignorant Lay-people does depend; but principally, that the Clergy themselves would be sure to live unblameably; and that the dignifi'd Clergy especially, which preach Temperance, would avoid Surfeiting, and take all occasions to express a visible humility and charity in their lives; for this would force a love & an imitation, and an unfeigned reverence from all that knew them to be such. And for proof of this, we need no other Testimony, than the life and death of Dr. Lake, late Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells). This (said Mr. Herbert) would be a cure for the wickedness and growing Atheism of our Age. And, my dear Brother, till this be done by us, and done in earnest, let no man expect a reformation of the manners of the Laity: for 'tis not learning, but this, this only, that must do it; and till then, the fault must lye at our doors.
In another walk to Salisbury, he saw a poor man, with a poorer horse, that was fall'n under his Load; they were both in distress, and needed present help; which Mr. Herbert perceiving, put off his Canonical Coat, and help'd the poor man to unload, and after, to load his horse: The poor man blest him for it: and he blest the poor man; and was so like the good Samaritan, that he gave him money to refresh both himself and his horse; and told him, That if he lov'd himself, he should be merciful to his Beast. --- Thus he left the poor man, and at his coming to his musical friends at Salisbury, they began to wonder that Mr. George Herbert which us'd to be so trim and clean, came into that company so soyl'd and discompos'd; but he told them the occasion: and when one of the company told him, He had disparag'd himself by so dirty an employment; his answer was, That the thought of what he had done, would prove Musick to him at midnight; and that the omission of it, would have upbraided and made discord in his Conscience, whensoever he should pass by that place; for, if I be bound to pray for all that be in distress, I am sure that I am bound so far as it is in my power to practise what I pray for. And though I do not wish for the like occasion every day, yet let me tell you, I would not willingly pass one day of my life without comforting a sad soul, or shewing mercy; and I praise God for this occasion: And now let's tune our Instruments.
Thus, as our blessed Saviour after his Resurrection did take occasion to interpret the Scripture to Cleopas, and that other Disciple which he met with and accompanied in their journey to Emmaus; so Mr. Herbert, in his path toward Heaven, did daily take any fair occasion to instruct the ignorant, or comfort any that were in affliction; and did alwaies confirm his precepts, by shewing humility and mercy, and ministring grace to the hearers.
And he was most happy in his Wifes unforc'd compliance with his acts of Charity, whom he made his Almoner, and paid constantly into her hand, a tenth penny of what money he receiv'd for Tythe, and gave her power to dispose that to the poor of his Parish, and with it a power to dispose a tenth part of the Corn that came yearly into his Barn; which trust she did most faithfully perform, and would often offer to him an account of her stewardship, and as often beg an inlargement of his bounty, for she rejoyc'd in the employment; and this was usually laid out by her in Blankets and Shooes, for some such poor people, as she knew to stand in most need of them. This, as to her Charity. --- And for his own, he set no limits to it; nor did ever turn his face from any that he saw in want, but would relieve them; especially his poor Neighbours; to the meanest of whose Houses, he would go and inform himself of their wants, and relieve them chearfully if they were in distress; and would alwaies praise God, as much for being willing, as for being able to do it. --- And when he was advis'd by a friend to be more frugal, because he might have Children, his answer was, He would not see the danger of want so far off; but, being the Scripture does so commend Charity, as to tell us, that Charity is the top of Christian vertues, the covering of sins, the fulfilling of the Law, the life of Faith: And that Charity hath a promise of the blessings of this life, and of a reward in that life which is to come, being these, and more excellent things are in Scripture spoken of thee O Charity, and that, being all my Tythes, and Church-dues, are a Deodate from thee O my God! make me, O my God, so far to trust thy promise, as to return them back to thee; and, by thy grace, I will do so, in distributing them to any of thy poor members that are in distress, or do but bear the image of Jesus my Master. Sir (said he to his friend) my Wife hath a competent maintenance secur'd her after my death, and therefore as this is my prayer, so this my resolution shall by God's grace be unalterable.
This may be some account of the excellencies of the active part of his life; and thus he continued, till a Consumption so weakned him, as to confine him to his House, or to the Chappel, which does almost joyn to it; in which he continued to read Prayers constantly twice every day, though he were very weak; in one of which times of his reading, his Wife observ'd him to read in pain, and told him so, and that it wasted his spirits, and weakned him: and he confess'd it did, but said, His life could not be better spent, than in the service of his Master Jesus, who had done and suffered so much for him: But, said he, I will not be wilful: for though my spirit be willing, yet I find my flesh is weak; and therefore Mr. Bostock shall be appointed to read Prayers for me to morrow, and I will now be only a hearer of them, till this mortal shall put on immortality. And Mr. Bostock did the next day undertake and continue this happy employment, till Mr. Herberts death. --- This Mr. Bostock was a learned and vertuous man, an old friend of Mr. Herberts, and then his Curate to the Church of Fulston, which is a mile from Bemerton, to which Church, Bemerton is but a Chappel of ease. --- And, this Mr Bostock did also constantly supply the Church-service for Mr. Herbert in that Chappel, when the Musick-meeting at Salisbury caus'd his absence from it.
About one month before his death, his friend Mr Farrer (for an account of whom I am by promise indebted to the Reader, and intend to make him sudden payment) hearing of Mr. Herberts sickness, sent Mr Edmund Duncon (who is now Rector of Fryer Barnet in the County of Middlesex) from his House of Gidden Hall, which is near to Huntington to see Mr. Herbert, and to assure him, that he wanted not his daily prayers for his recovery; and Mr. Duncon was to return back to Gidden, with an account of Mr. Herberts condition. Mr. Duncon found him weak, and at that time lying on his Bed, or on a Pallat; but at his seeing Mr. Duncon, he rais'd himself vigorously, saluted him, and with some earnestness inquir'd the health of his brother Farrer? of which Mr. Duncon satisfied him; and after some discourse of Mr Farrers holy life, and the manner of his constant serving God, he said to Mr. Duncon --- Sir, I see by your habit that you are a Priest, and I desire you to pray with me; which being granted, Mr. Duncon ask'd him, what Prayers? to which, Mr. Herberts answer was, O Sir, the Prayers of my Mother, the Church of England, no other prayers are equal to them! but, at this time, I beg of you to pray only the Litany, for I am weak and faint; and Mr. Duncon did so. After which, and some other discourse of Mr. Farrer, Mrs. Herbert provided Mr. Duncon a plain Supper, and a clean Lodging, and he betook himself to rest. --- This Mr. Duncon tells me; and tells me, that at his first view of Mr. Herbert he saw majesty and humility so reconcil'd in his looks and behaviour, as begot in him an awful reverence for his person: and saies, his discourse was so pious, and his motion so gentile and meek, that after almost forty years, yet they remain still fresh in his memory.
The next morning Mr. Doncon left him, and betook himself to a journey to Bath, but with a promise to return back to him within five days, and he did so; but before I shall say any thing of what discouse then fell betwixt them two, I will pay my promis'd account of Mr. Farrer.
Mr Nicholas Farrer (who got the reputation of being call'd Saint Nicholas, at the age of six years) was born in London: and doubtless had good education in his youth; but certainly was at an early age made Fellow of Clare-Hall in Cambridge, where he continued to be eminent for his piety, temperance, and learning. --- About the 26th year of his Age, he betook himself to Travel: in which he added to his Latin and Greek, a perfect knowledge of all the Languages spoken in the Western parts of our Christian world; and understood well the principles of their Religion, and of their manner, and the reasons of their worship. --- In this his Travel he met with many perswasions to come into a communion with that Church which calls it self Catholick: but he return'd from his Travels as he went, eminent for his obedience to his Mother, the Church of England. In his absence from England, Mr Farrers father (who was a Merchant) allow'd him a liberal maintenance; and, not long after his return into England, Mr. Farrer had by the death of his father, or an elder brother, or both, an Estate left him, that enabled him to purchase Land to the value of 4 or 500 l. a year; the greatest part of which Land was at Little Gidden, 4 or 6 miles from Huntington, and about 18 from Cambridge: which place, he chose for the privacy of it, and for the Hall, which had the Parish-Church, or Chappel belonging, and adjoining near to it; for Mr. Farrer having seen the manners and vanities of the World, and found them to be, as Mr. Herbert says, A nothing between two Dishes; did so contemn it, that he resolv'd to spend the remainder of his life in mortifications, and in devotion, and charity, and to be alwaies prepar'd for Death: --- And his life was spent thus.
He, and his Family, which were like a little Colledge, and about Thirty in number, did most of them keep Lent, and all Ember-weeks strictly, both in fasting, and using all those mortifications and prayers that the Church hath appointed to be then used: and, he and they, did the like constantly on Fridays, and on the Vigils, or Eves appointed to be fasted before the Saints-days; and this frugality and abstinence, turn'd to the relief of the Poor; but this was but a part of his charity, none but God and he knew the rest.
This Family, which I have said to be in number about Thirty, were a part of them his Kindred, and the rest chosen to be of a temper fit to be moulded into a devout life; and all of them were for their dispositions serviceable and quiet, and humble, and free from scandal. Having thus fitted himself for his Family, he did about the year 1630. betake himself to a constant and methodical service of God, and it was in this manner. --- He being accompanied with most of his Family, did himself use to read the Common prayers (for he was a Deacon) every day, at the appointed hours of Ten and Four, in the Parish Church which was very near his House, and which he had both repair'd and adorn'd; for it was fallen into a great ruine, by reason of a depopulation of the Village before Mr Farrer bought the Mannor: And he did also constantly read the Mattins every Morning at the hour of six, either in the Church, or in an Oratory, which was within his own House: and many of the Family did there continue with him after the Prayers were ended, and there they spent some hours in singing Hymns, or Anthems, sometimes in the Church, and often to an Organ in the Oratory. And there they sometimes betook themselves to meditate, or to pray privately, or to read a part of the New Testament to themselves: and, in case the Psalms were not alwaies read in the day, then Mr. Farrer, and others of the Congregation, did at Night, at the ring of a Watch-bell, repair to the Church or Oratory, and there betake themselves to prayers, and lauding God, and reading the Psalms that had not been read in the day; and, when these, or any part of the Congregation grew weary, or faint, the Watch-bell was Rung, sometimes before, and sometimes after Midnight: and then another part of the Family rose, and maintain'd the Watch, sometimes by praying, or singing Lauds to God, or reading the Psalms: and when after some hours they also grew weary or faint, then they rung the Watch-bell, and were also reliev'd by some of the former, or by a new part of the Society, which continu'd their devotions (as hath been mentioned) until morning. --- And it is to be noted, that in this continued serving of God, the Psalter, or whole Book of Psalms, was in every four and twenty hours, sung or read over, from the first to the last verse: and this was done as constantly, as the Sun runs his Circle every day about the World, and then begins again the same instant that it ended.
Thus did Mr Farrer, and his happy Family, serve God day and night: Thus did they alwaies behave themselves, as in his presence. And they did alwaies eat and drink by the strictest rules of Temperance; eat and drink so, as to be ready to rise at Midnight, or at the call of a Watch-bell, and perform their devotions to God. --- And 'tis fit to tell the Reader, that many of the Clergy that were more inclin'd to practical piety, and devotion, then to doubtful and needless Disputations, did often come to Gidden Hall, and make themselves a part of that happy Society, and stay a week or more, and then join with Mr. Farrer and the Family in these Devotions, and assist and ease him or them in their Watch by Night; and these various Devotions, had never less than two of the Domestick Family in the Night; and the Watch was alwaies kept in the Church or Oratory, unless in extream cold Winter nights, and then it was maintain'd in a Parlour which had a fire in it: and the Parlour was fitted for that purpose; and this course of Piety, and great liberality to his poor Neighbours, Mr. Farrer maintain'd till his death, which was in the year 1639.
Mr Farrers, and Mr. Herberts devout lives, were both so noted, that the general report of their sanctity gave them occasion to renew that slight acquaintance which was begun at their being Contemporaries in Cambridge; and this new holy friendship was long maintain'd without any interview, but only by loving and endearing Letters. And one testimony of their friendship, and pious designs, may appear by Mr. Farrers commending the considerations of John Valdesso (a Book which he had met with in his Travels, and Translated out of Spanish into English) to be examin'd and censur'd by Mr. Herbert before it was made publick; which excellent Book, Mr. Herbert did read, and return back with many marginal Notes, as they be now printed with it: And with them, Mr. Herberts affectionate Letter to Mr. Farrer.
This John Valdesso was a Spaniard, and was for his Learning and Vertue, much valued and lov'd by the great Emperour Charles the fifth, whom Valdesso had followed as a Cavalier all the time of his long and dangerous Wars; and when Valdesso grew old, and grew weary both of War and the World, he took his fair opportunity to declare to the Emperour, that his resolution was to decline His Majesties Service, and betake himself to a quiet and contemplative life, because there ought to be a vacancy of time, betwixt fighting and dying. --- The Emperour had himself, for the same, or other like reasons, put on the same resolution: but, God and himself did till then, only know them; and he did therefore desire Valdesso to consider well of what he had said, and to keep his purpose within his own breast, till they two might have a second opportunity of a friendly Discourse: which Valdesso promis'd to do.
In the mean time, the Emperour appoints privately a day for him and Valdesso to meet again, and, after a pious and free discourse they both agreed on a certain day to receive the blessed Sacrament publickly: and, appointed an eloquent and devout Fryer, to preach a Sermon of contempt of the World, and of the happiness and benefit of a quiet and contemplative life; which the Fryer did most affectionately. --- After which Sermon, the Emperour took occasion to declare openly, That the Preacher had begot in him a resolution to lay down his Dignities, and to forsake the World, and betake himself to a Monastical life. And he pretended, he had perswaded John Valdesso to do the like; but this is most certain, that after the Emperour had called his son Philip out of England, and resign'd to him all his Kingdoms, that then the Emperour, and John Valdesso, did perform their resolutions.
This account of John Valdesso, I receiv'd from a Friend, that had it from the mouth of Mr. Farrer: And the Reader may note, that in this retirement, John Valdesso writ his 110 considerations, and many other Treatises of worth, which want a second Mr. Farrer to procure, and translate them.
After this account of Mr. Farrer, and John Valdesso, I proceed to my account of Mr. Herbert, and Mr. Duncon, who, according to his promise, return'd from the Bath the fifth day, and then found Mr. Herbert much weaker than he left him: and therefore their Discourse could not be long; but at Mr. Duncons parting with him, Mr. Herbert spoke to this purpose --- Sir, I pray give my brother Farrer an account of the decaying condition of my body, and tell him, I beg him to continue his daily prayers for me: and let him know, that I have consider'd, That God only is what he would bee; and that I am by his grace become now so like him, as to be pleas'd with what pleaseth him; and tell him, that I do not repine but am pleas'd with my want of health; and tell him, my heart is fixed on that place where true joy is only to be found; and that I long to be there, and do wait for my appointed change with hope and patience. Having said this, he did with so sweet a humility as seem'd to exalt him, bow down to Mr. Duncon, and with a thoughtful and contented look, say to him, --- Sir, I pray deliver this little Book to my dear brother Farrer, and tell him, he shall find in it a picture of the many spiritual Conflicts that have past betwixt God and my Soul, before I could subject mine to the will of Jesus my Master: in whose service I have now found perfect freedom; desire him to read it: and then, if he can think it may turn to the advantage of any dejected poor Soul, let it be made publick: if not, let him burn it: for I and it, are less than the least of God's mercies. --- Thus meanly did this humble man think of this excellent Book, which now bears the name of The TEMPLE: Or, Sacred Poems, and Private Ejaculations; of which, Mr. Farrer would say, There was in it the picture of a divine Soul in every page; and that the whole Book was such a harmony of holy passions, as would enrich the World with pleasure and piety. And it appears to have done so: for there have been more than Twenty thousand of them sold since the first Impression.
And this ought to be noted, that when Mr. Farrer sent this Book to Cambridge to be Licensed for the Press, the Vice-Chancellor would by no means allow the two so much noted Verses,
- Religion stands a Tip-toe in our Land,
- Ready to pass to the American Strand.