herself, and complaining, that she had lost the delight of her eyes;
but more that she had lost the spiritual guide for her poor soul; and
would often say, "O that I had, like holy Mary, the Mother of Jesus,
treasured up all his sayings in my heart! But since I have not been
able to do that, I will labour to live like him, that where he now is
I may be also." And she would often say,--as the Prophet David for his
son Absalom,--"O that I had died for him!" Thus she continued mourning
till time and conversation had so moderated her sorrows, that she
became the happy wife of Sir Robert Cook, of Highnam, in the County
of Gloucester, Knight. And though he put a high value on the excellent
accomplishments of her mind and body, and was so like Mr. Herbert, as
not to govern like a master, but as an affectionate husband; yet
she would even to him often take occasion to mention the name of Mr.
George Herbert, and say, that name must live in her memory till she
put off mortality. By Sir Robert she had only one child, a daughter,
whose parts and plentiful estate make her happy in this world, and her
well using of them gives a fair testimony that she will be so in that
which is to come.
Mrs. Herbert was the wife of Sir Robert eight years, and lived his
widow about fifteen; all which time she took a pleasure in mentioning
and commending the excellencies of Mr. George Herbert. She died in the
year 1663, and lies buried at Highnam: Mr. Herbert in his own
Church, under the altar, and covered with a gravestone without any
inscription.
[Sidenote: Lost relics]
This Lady Cook had preserved many of Mr. Herbert's private writings,
which she intended to make public; but they and Highnam House were
burnt together by the late rebels, and so lost to posterity.
I.W.
[Footnote 1: A fortress first erected by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of
Shrewsbury, under William I., to secure his conquests in Wales, though
it was twice partly destroyed by the Welsh. It stands near the Severn,
on a gentle ascent, having a fair prospect over the plain beneath. The
order of Parliament for its destruction was made June 11th, 1649.]
[Footnote 2: That eloquent and acute biographer, Edmund Lodge, thus
truly gives the character of Lord Herbert of Cherbury. "Of that
anomaly of character by the abundance and variety of which foreigners
are pleased to tell us that our country is distinguished, we meet with
few examples more striking than in the subject of this memoir--wise
and unsteady; prudent and careless; a philosopher, with ungovernable
and ridiculous prejudices; a good humoured man, who even sought
occasions to shed the blood of his fellow creatures; a deist,
with superstition too gross for the most secluded cloister. These
observations are not founded on the report of others, but on the
fragment which remains of his own sketch of his life,--a piece of
infinite curiosity." His autobiography has been edited by Horace
Walpole and Scott. He is also the author of a volume of poems written
in the style of Donne, frequently marred by harsh rhythm and violent
conceits, but occasionally displaying artistic excellence of a very
high order.]
[Footnote 3: It has been said of Dr. Richard Neale, that no one
was more thoroughly acquainted with the distresses as well as the
conveniences of the clergy, having served the Church as Schoolmaster,
Curate, Vicar, Rector, Master of the Savoy, Dean of Westminster,
Clerk of the Closet to James I. and Charles I., Bishop of Rochester,
Lichfield, Durham, Winchester, and Archbishop of York (1631). "He
died," says Echard, "full of years as he was full of honours; a
faithful subject to his prince, an indulgent father to his clergy,
a bountiful patron to his chaplains, and a true friend to all that
relied upon him."]
[Footnote 4: He was made Master of Westminster School in 1599, and
continued so to 1610.]
[Footnote 5: Thomas Nevil, D.D., eminent for the splendour of his
birth, his extraordinary piety and learning, was educated at Pembroke
Hall in the University of Cambridge. In 1582 he was admitted Master of
Magdalen College in the same University, and in 1593 he succeeded Dr.
John Still in the Mastership of Trinity College, being then Dean
of the Cathedral Church of Peterborough, over which he presided
commendably eight years. Upon the demise of Queen Elizabeth, Dr.
Nevil, who had been promoted to the Deanery of Canterbury in 1597, was
sent by Archbishop Whitgift to King James in Scotland, in the names of
the Bishops and Clergy of England, to tender their bounden duties, and
to understand his Highness's pleasure for the ordering and guiding of
the Clergy. The Dean brought a most gracious answer of his Highness's
purpose, which was to uphold and maintain the government of the late
Queen, as she left it settled.]
[Footnote 6: Born on 28th June, 1573; created Baron Danvers in 1603,
and Earl of Danby 7th February, 1625-6; died on 10th January, 1643-4.]
[Footnote 7: This gentleman was born in Suffolk, in 1563, and was
descended from a very ancient family in that County. He was educated
at Trinity College, Cambridge, and on January 8th, 1617-18, was made
Secretary of State: King James I. having been previously so well
pleased with his eloquence and learning as to appoint him Master
of the Court of Wards. Sir Robert Naunton was the Author of the
interesting "Fragmenta Regalia, or Observations on Queen Elizabeth and
her Favourites." He died on Good Friday, 1633-34.]
[Footnote 8: Sir Francis Nethersole was a native of Kent, Ambassador
to the Princes of the Union, and Secretary to the Queen of Bohemia,
and was equally remarkable for his doings and sufferings in her
behalf.]
[Footnote 9: This royal work is divided into three books; the first on
"A Christian King's duty towards God." The second on "A King's duty in
his office." The third on "A King's behaviour in things indifferent."]
[Footnote 10: Andrew Melville procured the Basilicon Doron in
Manuscript, and circulated it in Scotland, which produced a libel
against it and first caused its publication in 1599. This celebrated
person was born in 1545, and was educated at the University of St.
Andrews, which he left with an eminent character for learning, and
travelled through France to Geneva. He was elected principal Master
of Glasgow College in 1574, when he began to enforce the Presbyterian
System; and after much opposition, and two years' imprisonment, he
died Professor of Divinity to the Protestants of Sedan, in 1622.]
[Footnote 11: Andrew Melville was not present at the celebrated
conference held at Hampton-Court, in the first year of King James
I., upon the complaint of the Puritans against the ceremonies and the
liturgy of the Church of England. He was summoned to appear before the
King and Council in 1604. In the first edition of "Mr. Walton's Life
of Mr. George Herbert," Melville is described to be "Master of a great
wit; a wit full of knots and clenches; a wit sharp and satirical;
exceeded, I think, by none of that nation, but their Buchanan."]
[Footnote 12: Daughter of Charles Stuart, Earl of Lenox, the younger
brother of Henry, Earl of Darnley, father of King James I. She was
born at Hampstead in 1577, and received a very liberal education;
added to which, she possessed a large estate, and, the English
succession being doubtful, she was supposed to be a probable heir
to the crown. She incurred the displeasure of James, by marrying Mr.
William Seymour, grandson of the Earl of Hertford, for which she was
sent to the Tower; and although she had made her escape thence, she
was overtaken, brought back, and died there in 1615.]
[Footnote 13: James Duport, the learned son of a learned father, John
Duport, Master of Jesus College, Cambridge, was Greek Professor in
that University. On the promotion of Dr. Edward Rainbow to the See
of Carlisle, he was appointed Dean of Peterborough, and in 1668 was
elected Master of Magdalen College, Cambridge.]
[Footnote 14: In the margin of the 1670 edition is written "Albumazar,
Ignoramus." The author of "Albumazar," a piece presented before the
King at Cambridge in 1614, and printed in the same year, was John
Tomkis. "Ignoramus," a Latin comedy by James Ruggle (or Ruggles), was
first printed in 1630.]
[Footnote 15: Dr. Richard Parry, who died September 26, 1623. The
"sinecure" here mentioned was the rectory of Whitford.]
[Footnote 16: Mr. Herbert Thorndike was then Fellow of Trinity
College. He was ejected from his Fellowship by the usurped powers, and
admitted to the Rectory of Barley in Hertfordshire, July 2, 1642.
On the death of Dr. Samuel Ward, he was elected to the Mastership of
Sidney College, but was kept out of it by the oppression of the times.
For his sufferings and great learning he was installed Prebendary
of Westminster, Sept. 5, 1660. In the year following he resigned his
living of Barley, and died in 1672. He assisted Dr. Walton in the
edition of the Polyglot Bible.]
[Footnote 17: Dr. John Williams, afterwards Archbishop of York, was
then Bishop of Lincoln, the last ecclesiastic who was Lord Keeper of
the Great Seal.]
[Footnote 18: See Prof. Mayor's "Nicholas Farrer: Two Lives by his
brother John and Dr. Jebb." (Cambridge, 1855.)]
[Footnote 19: A native of Scotland, educated at Westminster School
and Trinity College, Cambridge, afterwards Greek Professor of the
University. During the Civil Wars, he suffered extremely for the Royal
Cause, and was an exile with Charles II., who gave him the Deanery of
Wells on the Restoration, and in 1670, he was made Bishop of Bath and
Wells. He died in 1672.]
[Footnote 20: He was, in 1609, Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity
at Cambridge, and in 1611, Bishop of Salisbury. He was appointed by
James I. to attend the Synod of Dort, and his endeavours to effect an
union between the reformed Churches were zealous and sincere. He died
in 1641.]
[Footnote 21: The House and grounds of this Rectory were in the same
state as in the time of Herbert, when the late Archdeacon Coxe was
presented to the living; the principal part of the former was single,
with small windows, and the river Neder flowed at the bottom of the
garden. Bemerton is two miles west by north of Salisbury, and the
Church is dedicated to St. Andrew.]
[Footnote 22: At the time Dr. Henchman was Prebendary of Salisbury,
of which See he became Bishop in 1660, and in 1663 he was removed to
London. He was much esteemed by King Charles II., whose escape at the
battle of Worcester, he was very instrumental in promoting: but when
the declaration for liberty of conscience was published in 1671-72,
this Prelate was not afraid of the King's displeasure, but enjoined
his Clergy to preach against Popery. He died in 1675.]
[Footnote 23: A private Clergyman, of Clare Hall, Cambridge, who
suffered much for his gallant devotion to the cause of his King,
Charles I.]
[Footnote 24: The extraordinary course of life pursued at Gidding, the
strictness of their rules, their prayers, literally without ceasing,
their abstinence, mortifications, nightly watchings, and various
other peculiarities, gave birth to censure in some, and inflamed the
malevolence of others, but excited the wonder and curiosity of all. So
that they were frequently visited with different views by persons of
all denominations, and of opposite opinions. They received all who
came with courteous civility; and from those who were inquisitive they
concealed nothing, as indeed there was not any thing either in their
opinions or their practice, in the least degree necessary to be
concealed. Notwithstanding this, they were by some abused as Papists,
by others as Puritans, Mr. Ferrar himself, though possessed of
uncommon patience and resignation, yet in anguish of spirit complained
to his friends, that the perpetual obloquy he endured was a sort
of unceasing martyrdom. Added to all this, violent invectives and
inflammatory pamphlets were published against them. Amongst others,
not long after Mr. Ferrar's death, a treatise was addressed to the
Parliament, entitled, "The Arminian Nunnery, or a brief description
and relation of the late erected monastical place called the Arminian
Nunnery at Little Gidding in Huntingdonshire: humbly addressed to the
wise consideration of the present parliament. The foundation is by a
company of Ferrars at Gidding," printed by Thomas Underbill, 1641.
Soon after Mr. Ferrar's death, certain soldiers of the Parliament
resolved to plunder the house at Gidding. The family being informed of
their hasty approach, thought it prudent to fly; while these military
zealots, in the rage of what they called _reformation_, ransacked both
the church and the house; in doing which, they expressed a particular
spite against the organ. This they broke in pieces, of which they made
a large fire, and at it roasted several of Mr. Ferrar's sheep, which
they had killed in his grounds. This done, they seized all the plate,
furniture, and provision, which they could conveniently carry away.
And in this general devastation perished the works which Mr. Ferrar
had compiled for the use of his household, consisting chiefly of
harmonies of the Old and New Testament.]
[Footnote 25: Valdesso died at Naples in 1540.]
[Footnote 26: Altered from a Dirge in Shirley's "Contention of Ajax
and Ulysses."--The lines in Shirley are
"Your heads must come
To the cold tomb--
Only the actions of the just
Smell sweet and blossom in their dust."]
[Footnote 27: "Mr. George Herbert, Esq., Parson of Fuggleston and
Bemerton, was buried 3d day of March, 1632." (_Parish Register of
Bemerton_.')--It does not appear whether he was buried in the parish
church or in the chapel. His letter to Mr. Nicholas Ferrar, the
translator of Valdesso, is dated from his Parsonage at Bemerton, near
Salisbury, Sept. 29, 1632. It must be remembered, that the beginning
of the year, at that time, was computed the 25th of March. In this
year also, he wrote the short address to the Reader, which is prefixed
to his "Priest to the Temple," which was not published till after his
death.]
[Footnote 28: It is not to be supposed that Andrew Melville could
retain the least personal resentment against Mr. Herbert; whose verses
have in them so little of the poignancy of satire, that it is scarce
possible to consider them as capable of exciting the anger of him to
whom they are addressed.]
LETTER FROM
MR. GEORGE HERBERT
TO
NICHOLAS FARRER,
_the Translator of Valdesso_
[Sidenote: Concerning Valdesso]
My dear and deserving brother, your Valdesso I now return with many
thanks, and some notes, in which perhaps you will discover some care
which I forbear not in the midst of my griefs; first for your sake,
because I would do nothing negligently that you commit unto me:
secondly for the Author's sake, whom I conceive to have been a true
servant of God; and to such, and all that is their's, I owe diligence:
thirdly for the Church's sake, to whom by printing it, I would have
you consecrate it. You owe the Church a debt, and God hath put this
into your hands--as he sent the fish with money to St. Peter--to
discharge it; happily also with this--as his thoughts are
fruitful--intending the honour of his servant the Author, who, being
obscured in his own country, he would have to flourish in this land
of light, and region of the Gospel among his chosen. It is true, there
are some things which I like not in him, as my fragments will express,
when you read them: nevertheless, I wish you by all means to publish
it, for these three eminent things observable therein: First, that God
in the midst of Popery, should open the eyes of one to understand and
express so clearly and excellently, the intent of the Gospel in the
acceptation of Christ's righteousness,--as he sheweth through all
his Considerations,--a thing strangely buried and darkened by the
adversaries, and their great stumbling block. Secondly, the great
honour and reverence which he every where bears towards our dear
Master and Lord; concluding every Consideration almost with his holy
name, and setting his merit forth so piously; for which I do so love
him, that were there nothing else, I would print it, that with it the
honour of my Lord might be published. Thirdly, the many pious rules
of ordering our life about mortification, and observation of God's
kingdom within us, and the working thereof; of which he was a very
diligent observer. These three things are very eminent in the Author,
and overweigh the defects--as I conceive--towards the publishing
thereof.
From his Parsonage of
Bemerton, near Salisbury,
Sept. 29th, 1632.
THE WORKS OF MR. GEORGE HERBERT.
[Sidenote: Herbert's Works]
I. "ORATIO quâ auspicatissimum serenissimi Principis CAROLI reditum
ex Hispaniis celebravit GEORGIUS HERBERT, Academæ Cantabrigiensis
Orator.--1623."
II. "ORATIO ... habita coram Dominis Legatis cum Magistro in Artib.
titulis insignirentur. 27 Febr. 1622."
III. "A TRANSLATION of LEWIS CORNARO'S TREATISE on TEMPERANCE."
Printed at Cambridge in 1634, along with Mr. Nicholas Ferrar's
translation of "The Hygiasticon, or the right Course of preserving
Health, by Leonard Lessius." To Mr. Herbert's Translation is annexed
"A Paradox, translated out of Italian, That a more spare diet is
better than a splendid or sumptuous."
IV. "HERBERT'S REMAINS; or Sundry Pieces of that sweet Singer of the
Temple, Mr. GEORGE HERBERT, some time Orator of the University of
Cambridge, now exposed to public Light." _London, 1652._
This volume consists of--1. "A Priest to the Temple, or the Country
Parson in his Character and Rule of Holy Life; with a Prefatory View
of the Life and Virtues of the Author and Excellencies of this Book,
by Barnabas Oley." In the second and subsequent impressions of this
volume is added, "A Preface to the Christian Reader," consisting
of six paragraphs, by Mr. Oley. 2. "Jacula Prudentum; or Outlandish
Proverbs, Sentences, &c., selected by Mr. George Herbert."
V. "THE TEMPLE: SACRED POEMS and Private EJACULATIONS, by Mr. GEORGE
HERBERT, late orator of the University of Cambridge. In his Temple
doth every Man speak of his Honour, Psal. xxix. _Cambridge, 1633_."
VI. "MUSÆ RESPONSORÆ AD ANDREÆ MELVINI ANTI-TAMI-CAMI-CATEGORIAM. Ex
officinâ, Joh. Field, _Cantab. 1662._" 12mo.
During his residence at Cambridge, he composed Latin Poems on the
Death of Henry Prince of Wales; and of Anne, Queen to James I. See
"Epicedium Cantabrigiense in obitum immaturum semperque deflendum
Henrici illustrissimi Principis Walliæ, _Cantab. 1612._" And
"Lachrymæ Cantabrigienses in obitum serenissimæ Regiæ Annæ, Conjugis
dilectissimæ Jacobi Magnæ Britanniæ, Franciæ, et Hiberniæ Regis.
_Cantab. 1619._"
The following letters, written by Herbert, when he was Public Orator,
are in the Orator's Book at Cambridge:
1. "To Sir Robert Naunton, with thanks for some acts of kindness
procured by him from Government to the University."
2. "To Fulke Greville, on the same account."
3. "To George Villiers, Marquis of Buckingham, on his being created a
Marquis."
4. "To Sir Francis Bacon, with thanks for his Novum Organum."
5. "To Sir Thomas Coventry, Attorney-General."
6. "To Montagu, Lord Treasurer," and
7. "To Sir Robert Heath, Solicitor-General, congratulating them on
their several promotions."
8. "To King James, with thanks for a present of his Doron Basilicon."
9. "To the same, with thanks for the preservation of the river."
10. "To Sir Francis Bacon, on the same subject."
11. "To Dr. Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury, against the London
Printers monopolizing foreign books."
12. "To Sir Francis Bacon, on the same subject."
13. "To Leigh, Chief Justice, on his promotion."
14. "To Cranfield, Lord Treasurer, on the same occasion."
THE LIFE
OF
DR. ROBERT SANDERSON,
LATE BISHOP OF LINCOLN.
"Blessed is the man in whose spirit there is no guile."--Ps. xxxii.
2.
TO THE RIGHT REVEREND AND HONOURABLE,
GEORGE,
LORD BISHOP OF WINCHESTER, PRELATE OF THE GARTER, AND ONE OF HIS
MAJESTY'S PRIVY COUNCIL.
[Sidenote: Dedication]
MY LORD,
If I should undertake to enumerate the many favours and advantages
I have had by my very long acquaintance with your Lordship, I
should enter upon an employment, that might prove as tedious as the
collecting of the materials for this poor Monument, which I have
erected, and do dedicate to the Memory of your beloved friend, Dr.
Sanderson: But though I will not venture to do that; yet I do remember
with pleasure, and remonstrate with gratitude, that your Lordship made
me known to him, Mr. Chillingworth,[1] and Dr. Hammond; men, whose
merits ought never to be forgotten.
My friendship with the first was begun almost forty years past, when
I was as far from a thought, as a desire to outlive him; and farther
from an intention to write his Life. But the wise Disposer of all
men's lives and actions hath prolonged the first, and now permitted
the last; which is here dedicated to your Lordship,--and, as it ought
to be--with all humility, and a desire that it may remain as a public
testimony of my gratitude.
My Lord,
Your most affectionate old friend,
and most humble servant,
IZAAK WALTON.
[Footnote 1: William Chillingworth, born at Oxford in 1602, and
educated at Trinity College. He was proverbially celebrated there
for clear and acute reasoning; but he so much involved himself in the
Romish Controversy with John Fisher, a Jesuit, as to become a convert,
and enter the College at Douay. His re-conversion was brought about by
his godfather, Archbishop Laud, in 1631, when he returned to England;
and in 1638, he wrote his famous work called "The Religion of
Protestants a safe Way to Salvation." Fol. He was zealously attached
to the Royal cause, and served at the Siege of Gloucester: but being
taken prisoner, he was carried to the Bishop's Palace, at Chichester,
on account of his illness, and, dying there Jan. 30th, 1644, was
buried in the Cathedral, without any other ceremony than that of his
book being cast into the grave by the hand of a fanatic.]
THE PREFACE
[Sidenote: Introductory]
I dare neither think, nor assure the Reader, that I have committed no
mistakes in this relation of the Life of Dr. Sanderson; but I am sure,
there is none that are either wilful, or very material. I confess, it
was worthy the employment of some person of more Learning and greater
abilities than I can pretend to; and I have not a little wondered
that none have yet been so grateful to him and to posterity, as to
undertake it. For it may be noted, that our Saviour hath had such
care, that, for Mary Magdalen's kindness to him, her name should never
be forgotten: and doubtless Dr. Sanderson's meek and innocent life,
his great and useful Learning, might therefore challenge the like
endeavours to preserve his memory: And 'tis to me a wonder, that it
has been already fifteen years neglected. But, in saying this, my
meaning is not to upbraid others,--I am far from that,--but excuse
myself, or beg pardon for daring to attempt it. This being premised, I
desire to tell the Reader, that in this relation I have been so bold,
as to paraphrase and say, what I think he--whom I had the happiness
to know well--would have said upon the same occasions: and if I have
erred in this kind, and cannot now beg pardon of him that loved me;
yet I do of my Reader, from whom I desire the same favour.
[Sidenote: Reasons for writing]
And, though my age might have procured me a Writ of Ease, and that
secured me from all further trouble in this kind; yet I met with such
persuasions to begin, and so many willing informers since, and from
them, and others, such helps and encouragements to proceed, that when
I found myself faint, and weary of the burthen with which I had loaden
myself, and ready to lay it down; yet time and new strength hath at
last brought it to be what it now is, and presented to the Reader, and
with it this desire; that he will take notice, that Dr. Sanderson did
in his Will, or last sickness, advertise, that after his death nothing
of his might be printed; because that might be said to be his, which
indeed was not; and also for that he might have changed his opinion
since he first writ it. And though these reasons ought to be regarded,
yet regarded so, as he resolves in that Case of Conscience concerning
Rash Vows; that there may appear very good second reasons why we may
forbear to perform them. However, for his said reasons, they ought to
be read as we do Apocryphal Scripture; to explain, but not oblige us
to so firm a belief of what is here presented as his.
[Sidenote: Tracts and a Sermon]