Herbert's being made Prebend, and tell the Reader, that not long
after, his Mother being informed of his intentions to rebuild that
Church, and apprehending the great trouble and charge that he was like
to draw upon himself, his relations and friends, before it could
be finished, sent for him from London to Chelsea,--where she then
dwelt,--and at his coming, said, "George, I sent for you, to persuade
you 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 desired he might have a day's 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 rebuild that Church." And
then shewed her such reasons for his resolution, that she presently
subscribed to be one of his benefactors; and undertook to solicit
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,[18] 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
outlive their lives. Of Mr. Farrer, I shall hereafter give an account
in a more seasonable place; but before I proceed farther, I will give
this short account of Mr. Arthur Woodnot.
[Sidenote: Mr. Arthur Woodnot]
He was a man that had considered overgrown estates do often require
more care and watchfulness to preserve than get them, and considered
that there be many discontents, that riches cure not; and did
therefore set limits to himself, as to desire of wealth. And having
attained 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 to his friends; and
he proved to be so to Mr. Herbert; for besides his own bounty,
he collected and returned most of the money that was paid for the
rebuilding 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. Herbert's
father, and to his mother, and continued to be so to him, till he
closed 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 carried to his
mother this following letter, and delivered it to her in a sickness,
which was not long before that which proved to be her last.
[Sidenote: A Letter]
A Letter of Mr. GEORGE HERBERT to his Mother, In her Sickness."
"MADAM,
"At my last parting from you, I was the better content, because I was
in hope I should myself 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 cheerful,
and comfort yourself in the God of all comfort, who is not willing to
behold any sorrow but for sin.--What hath affliction grievous in it
more than 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 compared 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 yourself: but would you divide and choose too?
Our College customs allow not that: and I should account myself most
happy, if I might change with you; for I have always observed the
thread of life to be like other threads or skeins 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 myself, dear Mother, I
always feared sickness more than 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 discharged that part, having both ordered your
family and so brought up your children, that they have attained to the
years of discretion, and competent maintenance. So that now, if they
do not well, the fault cannot be charged on you, whose example
and care of them will justify 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 ought they
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, O God! most carry themselves so, as if
they not only not desired, but even feared to be blessed.--And for
afflictions of the body, dear Madam, remember the holy Martyrs of God,
how they have been burned by thousands, and have endured such other
tortures, as the very mention of them might beget amazement: but their
fiery trials have had an end; and your's--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 should 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
Philistine.'--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 inmate 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.'
[Psal. lv. 22.] To which join that of St. Peter, 'Casting all your
care on the Lord, for he careth for you.' [1 Pet. v. 7.] What an
admirable thing is this, that God puts his shoulder to our burden, 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:
Philipp. iv. 4. St. Paul saith there, 'Rejoice in the Lord always: 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 not
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 verses: '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. Coll. May 25th,_ 1622."
[Sidenote: Sickness]
About the year 1629, and the thirty-fourth 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
remained about twelve months, and there became his own physician, and
cured himself of his ague, by forbearing to drink, and not eating any
meat, no not mutton, nor a hen, or pigeon, unless they were
salted; and by such a constant diet he removed 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
extreme 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.
[Sidenote: At Dauntsey]
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 Dauntsey in Wiltshire, a noble house, which stands in a
choice air; the owner of it then was the Lord Danvers, Earl of Danby,
who loved Mr. Herbert so very much, that he allowed him such an
apartment in it as might best suit with his accommodation and liking.
And in this place, by a spare diet, declining all perplexing studies,
moderate exercise, and a cheerful conversation, his health was
apparently improved to a good degree of strength and cheerfulness. And
then he declared 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 lived 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 Orator's
place till after her death, and then presently declined it; and
the more willingly, that he might be succeeded by his friend Robert
Creighton,[19] who now is 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 his wife, and of some circumstances concerning
both.--He was for his person of a stature inclining towards tallness;
his body was very straight, and so far from being cumbered with too
much flesh, that he was lean to an extremity. His aspect was cheerful,
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.
[Sidenote: Jane Danvers]
These, and his other visible virtues, 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 publicly
declared 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 platonic, as
to fall in love with Mr. Herbert unseen.
[Sidenote: His marriage]
This was a fair preparation for a marriage; but, alas! her father died
before Mr. Herbert's retirement to Dauntsey: yet some friends to
both parties procured their meeting; at which time a mutual affection
entered into both their hearts, as a conqueror enters into a surprised
city; and love having got such possession, governed, and made there
such laws and resolutions, as neither party was able to resist;
insomuch, that she changed her name into Herbert the third day after
this first interview.
This haste might in others be thought a love-frenzy, 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. Herbert's 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 proved so happy to both parties; for the eternal lover of mankind
made them happy in each other's mutual and equal affections, and
compliance; indeed, so happy, that there never was any opposition
betwixt them, unless it were a contest which should most incline to
a compliance with the other's 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.
[Sidenote: A presentation]
About three months after this 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. Curie's 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 endured," as he would
often say, "such spiritual conflicts, as none can think, but only
those that have endured them."
[Sidenote: Rector of Bemerton]
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 wife's friends and relations,--and was joyful to be
an eye-witness of his health and happy marriage. And after they had
rejoiced 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 resolved 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 kinsman's irresolution. And the Bishop did the next day so
convince Mr. Herbert, that the refusal of it was a sin, that a tailor
was sent for to come speedily from Salisbury to Wilton, to take
measure, and make him canonical clothes against next day; which
the tailor did: and Mr. Herbert being so habited, went with his
presentation to the learned Dr. Davenant,[20] 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 26th, 1630--inducted into the good, and more
pleasant than healthful, Parsonage of Bemerton; which is a mile from
Salisbury.
[Sidenote: Preparation]
I have now brought him to the Parsonage of Bemerton,[21] 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 virtues, that it deserves the
eloquence of St. Chrysostom to commend 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
pleased with myself that I must; and profess myself amazed, when I
consider how few of the Clergy lived 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 very great diligence to
inform myself, 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 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 returned to those friends
that staid expecting him at the Church-door, that his friend Mr.
Woodnot looked 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.
[Sidenote: and resolutions]
And the same night that he had his induction, he said to Mr. Woodnot,
"I now look back upon my aspiring thoughts, and think myself more
happy than if I had attained what then I so ambitiously thirsted for.
And I now can 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 enjoyed. 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 dependents to
a love and reliance on Him, who never fails those that trust him. But
above all, I will be sure to live well, because the virtuous life of
a Clergyman is the most powerful eloquence to persuade 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
honoured 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 Governor;
and I am so proud of his service, that I will always observe, and
obey, and do his will; and always call him, Jesus my Master; and I
will always contemn my birth, or any title or dignity that can be
conferred upon me, when I shall compare them with my title of being a
Priest, and serving at the Altar of Jesus my Master."
[Sidenote: "The Odour"]
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 rejoice in the thoughts of that word Jesus, and say, that
the adding these words, my Master, to it, and the often repetition of
them, seemed 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," (Matt. xiii. 45,
46,) to rejoice and say--"He knew the ways of learning; knew what
nature does willingly, and what, when it is forced by fire; knew the
ways of honour, and when glory inclines the soul to noble expressions;
knew the Court; knew the ways of pleasure, of love, of wit, of music,
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 grovelling wit,
But thy silk twist, let down from Heaven to me,
Did both conduct, and teach me, how by it To climb to thee.
[Sidenote: A Priest's Wife]
The third day after he was made Rector of Bemerton, and had changed
his sword and silk clothes into a canonical coat, he returned 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
Minister's wife, and must now so far forget your father's house, as
not to claim a precedence of any of your parishioners; for you are to
know, that a Priest's 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 cheerful willingness."
And, indeed, her unforced 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 conversed with her; and this love followed her in all
places, as inseparably as shadows follow substances in sunshine.
[Sidenote: A parishioner]
It was not many days before he returned back to Bemerton, to view the
Church, and repair the Chancel: and indeed to rebuild almost three
parts of his house, which was fallen down, or decayed by reason of his
predecessor's living at a better Parsonage-house; namely, at Minal,
sixteen or twenty miles from this place. At which time of Mr.
Herbert's 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 surprised with a fear, and that begot a
shortness of breath, so that her spirits and speech failed 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, and 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 heard with
patience,--he, like a Christian Clergyman, comforted her by his meek
behaviour and counsel: but because that cost him nothing, he relieved
her with money too, and so sent her home with a cheerful heart,
praising God, and praying for him. Thus worthy, and--like David's
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 betwixt him and the poor woman; with which she
was 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 the poor
woman; and with them a message, "That she would see and be acquainted
with her, when her house was built at Bemerton."
[Sidenote: Bemerton Parsonage]