excellent person, and, both for learning and Piety, eminent Prelate,
Dr. Sanderson, late Bishop of Lincoln; because I know your ability to
know, and integrity to write truth: And sure I am, that the life
and actions of that pious and learned Prelate will afford you matter
enough for his commendation, and the imitation of posterity. In order
to the carrying on your intended good work, you desire my assistance,
that I would communicate to you such particular passages of his life,
as were certainly known to me. I confess I had the happiness to be
particularly known to him for about the space of twenty years; and,
in Oxon, to enjoy his conversation, and his learned and pious
instructions while he was Regius Professor of Divinity there.
Afterwards, when (in the time of our late unhappy confusions) he
left Oxon, and was retired into the country, I had the benefit of his
letters; wherein, with great candour and kindness, he answered those
doubts I proposed, and gave me that satisfaction, which I neither had
nor expected from some others of greater confidence, but less judgment
and humility. Having, in a letter, named two or three books writ (_ex
professo_) against the being of any original sin; and that Adam,
by his fall, transmitted some calamity only, but no crime to his
posterity; the good old man was exceedingly troubled, and bewailed the
misery of those licentious times, and seemed to wonder (save that the
times were such) that any should write, or be permitted to publish
any error so contradictory to truth, and the doctrine of the Church
of England, established (as he truly said) by clear evidence of
Scripture, and the just and supreme power of this nation, both sacred
and civil. I name not the books, nor their authors, which are not
unknown to learned men (and I wish they had never been known) because
both the doctrine and the unadvised abettors of it are, and shall be,
to me apocryphal.
[Sidenote: "De Conscientiâ"]
Another little story I must not pass in silence, being an argument
of Dr. Sanderson's piety, great ability, and judgment, as a casuist.
Discoursing with an honourable person[1] (whose piety I value more
than his nobility and learning, though both be great) about a case of
conscience concerning oath and vows, their nature and obligation; in
which, for some particular reasons, he then desired more fully to
be informed; I commended to him Dr. Sanderson's book "De Juramento;"
which having read, with great satisfaction, he asked me,--"If I
thought the Doctor could be induced to write Cases of Conscience,
if he might have an honorary pension allowed him to furnish him with
books for that purpose?" I told him I believed he would: And, in a
letter to the Doctor, told him what great satisfaction that honourable
person, and many more, had reaped by reading his book "De Juramento;"
and asked him "whether he would be pleased, for the benefit of the
Church, to write some tract of Cases of Conscience;" He replied, "That
he was glad that any had received any benefit by his books:" and added
further, "That if any future tract of his could bring such benefit
to any, as we seemed to say his former had done, he would willingly,
though without any Pension, set about that work." Having received this
answer, that honourable person, before mentioned, did, by my hands,
return 50_l_. to the good Doctor, whose condition then (as most
good men's at that time were) was but low; and he presently revised,
finished, and published that excellent book, "De Conscientiâ:" a book
little in bulk, but not so if we consider the benefit an intelligent
reader may receive by it. For there are so many general propositions
concerning conscience, the nature and obligation of it, explained and
proved, with such firm consequence and evidence of reason, that he who
reads, remembers, and can with prudence pertinently apply them _hic
et nunc_ to particular cases, may, by their light and help, rationally
resolve a thousand particular doubts and scruples of conscience. Here
you may see the charity of that honourable person in promoting,
and the piety and industry of the good Doctor, in performing that
excellent work.
[Sidenote: A good casuist:]
[Sidenote: his equipment]
And here I shall add the judgment of that learned and pious Prelate
concerning a passage very pertinent to our present purpose. When he
was in Oxon, and read his public lectures in the school as Regius
Professor of Divinity, and by the truth of his positions, and
evidences of his proofs, gave great content and satisfaction to all
his hearers, especially in his clear resolutions of all difficult
cases which occurred in the explication of the subject-matter of his
lectures; a person of quality (yet alive) privately asked him, "What
course a young Divine should take in his studies to enable him to be a
good casuist?" His answer was, "That a convenient under of the learned
languages, at least of Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, and a sufficient
knowledge of arts and sciences presupposed; I there were two things in
human literature, a comprehension of which would be of very great use,
to enable a man to be a rational and able casuist, which otherwise was
very difficult, if not impossible: I. A convenient knowledge of moral
philosophy; especially that part of it which treats of the nature of
human actions: To know, _'quid sit actus humanus (spontaneus, invitus,
mixtus), unde habet bonitatem et malitiam moralem? an ex genere et
objecto, vel ex circumstantiis?'_ How the variety of circumstances
varies the goodness or evil of human actions? How far knowledge and
ignorance may aggravate or excuse, increase or diminish the goodness
or evil of our actions? For every case of conscience being only
this--'Is this action good or bad? May I do it, or may I not?'--He
who, in these, knows not how and whence human actions become morally
good and evil, never can (_in hypothesi_) rationally and certainly
determine, whether this or that particular action be so.--2. The
second thing, which," he said, "would be a great help and advantage to
a casuist, was a convenient knowledge of the nature and obligation of
laws in general: to know what a law is; what a natural and a positive
law; what's required to the _'latio, dispensato, derogatio, vel
abrogalio legis;'_ what promulgation is antecedently required to
the obligation of any positive law; what ignorance takes off the
obligation of a law, or does excuse, diminish, or aggravate the
transgression: For every case of conscience being only this--'Is this
lawful for me, or is it not?' and the law the only rule and measure by
which I must judge of the lawfulness or unlawfulness of any action;
it evidently follows, that he who, in these, knows not the nature and
obligation of laws, never can be a good casuist, or rationally assure
himself or others, of the lawfulness or unlawfulness of actions in
particular."
[Sidenote: Conclusion]
This was the judgment and good counsel of that learned and pious
Prelate: And having, by long experience, found the truth and benefit
of it, I conceive, I could not without ingratitude to him, and want
of charity to others, conceal it.--Pray pardon this rude, and, I fear
impertinent scribble, which, if nothing else, may signify thus much,
that I am willing to obey your desires, and am indeed,
Your affectionate friend,
THOMAS LINCOLN.
London, May 10, 1678.
[Footnote 1: Robert Boyle, Esq.]
THE WORKS OF DR. ROBERT SANDERSON.
[Sidenote: Sanderson's Works]
I. "LOGICÆ ARTIS COMPENDIUM. _Oxon._ 1615." 8vo.
II. "PHYSICÆ SCIENTIÆ COMPENDIUM, à ROBERTO SANDERSON, Coll. Lincoln,
in almâ Oxoniensi olim socio, &c. _Oxoniæ_, 1671."
III. SERMONS. "Dr. Sanderson's XII. Sermons, 1632." 4to.--"Dr.
Sanderson's Sermons (including the twelve before printed), 1664."
Folio.--"Ditto, with his Life by Isaac Walton, 1689." Folio.
IV. "NINE CASES OF CONSCIENCE DETERMINED, 1678. 1685." 8vo.
V. "DE JURAMENTI PROMISSORII OBLIGATIONE PRÆLECTIONES SEPTEM: HABITÆ
in SCHOLA THEOLOGICA OXONII, Termino Michaëlis anno Dom. MDCXLVI.
à ROBERTO SANDERSON. Præmissâ Oratione ab eodem habitâ cùm Publicam
Professionem auspicaretur, 26 Octobris, 1646. _Lona_. 1647."
These Lectures were translated into the English language by Charles I.
during his confinement in the Isle of Wight, and printed at London, in
1655--8vo.
VI. "DE OBLIGATIONE CONSCIENTIÆ PRÆLECTIONES DECEM OXONII in SCHOLA
THEOLOGICA HABITÆ, anno Dom. MDCXLVII." An English translation of the
"Prelections on the Nature and Obligation of Promissory Oaths and of
Conscience," was published in 3 vols. 8vo. _London_, 1722.
VII. "CENSURE OF MR. ANTON. ASCHAM his BOOK of the CONFUSIONS and
REVOLUTIONS of GOVERNMENT, _London_, 1649." 8vo.
VIII. "EPISCOPACY (as established by Law in England) NOT PREJUDICIAL
to REGAL POWER. Written in the Time of the Long Parliament, by the
special Command of the late King. _London_, 1673."
IX. "DISCOURSE CONCERNING the CHURCH, in THESE PARTICULARS: First,
concerning the Visibility of the true Church: Secondly, concerning the
Church of Rome. _London_, 1688."
X. 1. "BISHOP SANDERSON'S JUDGMENT concerning SUBMISSION to USURPERS."
2. "PAX ECCLESIÆ." 3. "BISHOP SANDERSON'S JUDGMENT in ONE VIEW for the
SETTLEMENT of the CHURCH." 4. "REASONS of the present JUDGMENT of the
UNIVERSITY of OXFORD, concerning the SOLEMN LEAGUE and COVENANT,
the NEGATIVE OATH, the ORDINANCES concerning DISCIPLINE and WORSHIP.
_London_, 1678."
XI. A large "PREFACE" to a book written at the command of Charles I.
by Archbishop Usher, and published by Dr. Sanderson, entitled "The
POWER communicated by GOD to the PRINCE, and the OBEDIENCE required of
the SUBJECT. _London_, 1661."--4to. Second corrected edition of this
work was published in 8vo. 1683.
XII. "A PREFATORY DISCOURSE," in defence of Usher and his Writings,
prefixed to a collection of Treatises, entitled 'CLAVI TRABALES, or
NAILES fastened by some great MASTERS of ASSEMBLYES, concerning the
KING'S SUPREMACY and CHURCH GOVERNMENT under BISHOPS.'
The Preface is dated "London, Aug. 10, 1661," and subscribed "The
unworthy servant of Jesus Christ, Ro. LINCOLN."
XIII. "PROPHECIES concerning the RETURN of POPERY," inserted in a book
entitled 'Fair Warning: The Second Part. _London_, 1663.'
XIV. "The PREFACE to the BOOK of COMMON PRAYER," beginning with these
words; "It hath been the wisdom of the Church"----.
XV. "[Greek: EPINOMIS], seu EXPLANATIO JURAMENTI," &c., inserted in
the 'Excerpta è Corpore Statutorum Univ. Oxoniensis,' p. 194.
XVI. "ARTICLES of VISITATION and ENQUIRY concerning MATTERS
ECCLESIASTICAL, exhibited to the Ministers, Churchwardens, and Sidemen
of every Parish within the Diocese of Lincoln, in the first episcopal
Visitation of the Right Rev. Father in God, ROBERT, by Divine
Providence, Lord Bishop of Lincoln; with the oath to be administered
to the Churchwardens, and the Bishop's Admonition to them. _London_,
1662." 4to.
XVII. Peck, in the 'Desiderata Curiosa,' Vol. II., has inserted "The
HISTORY and ANTIQUITIES of the CATHEDRAL CHURCH of the Blessed Virgin
St. MARY at LINCOLN; containing an exact Copy of all the Monumental
Inscriptions there, in Number 163, as they stood in 1641; most of
which was soon after torn up, or otherwise defaced. Collected by
ROBERT SANDERSON, S.T.P., afterwards Lord Bishop of that Church, and
compared with and corrected by Sir WILLIAM DUGDALE'S MS. Survey."
Dr. White Kennet, Bishop of Peterborough, had in his possession the
copies of two letters transcribed from the originals that were in the
hands of Bishop Barlow. 1. Superscribed "For Mr. Thomas Barlow, at the
Library in Oxon," and subscribed "Your very loving friend and
servant, ROBERT SANDERSON," dated "Botheby Pagnell, Sept. 28, 1656,"
importuning Dr. Barlow, "to undertake the managing that dispute in the
question of great importance upon the ancient landmarks, by Dr. Jeremy
Taylor; so unhappily (and so unseasonably too) endeavoured to be
removed in the doctrine of original sin." 2. Another letter of Dr.
Sanderson to Dr. Barlow, at Queen's College, dated "Botheby Pagnell,
Sept. 17, 1657," expressing himself, "That Dr. Taylor is so peremptory
and pertinacious of his errors as not to hearken to the sober advices
of his grave, reverend, and learned friends, amidst the distractions
of these times," &c.
Dr. Sanderson and Dr. Hammond were jointly concerned in a work
entitled "A PACIFIC DISCOURSE of GOD'S GRACE and DECREES," published
by the latter in 1660.
It would be improper not to observe, that in the Preface to the
Polyglott Bible, printed at London in 1657, Dr. Bryan Walton has
classed Dr. Sanderson among those of his much honoured friends who
assisted him in that noble work.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
_The numbers at the beginning of paragraphs refer to the pages_
LIFE OF HOOKER
_Frontispiece._--The portrait here given is from Hooker's monument in
Bishopsbourne Church.
_Text, etc._--_The Life of Mr. Richard Hooker_ was first published
in small _octavo_ in 1665. The second edition was prefixed to the
_Ecclesiastical Polity_ of 1666, _folio_, and again in 1676 and 1682.
It was also included in Walton's collection of 1670. A valuable essay
on Hooker by Dean Church is prefixed to the Clarendon Press edition of
the first book of _Ecclesiastical Polity_, 1876.
_Page_
3. _at this time of my age._ He says at p. 4 that he was "past the
seventy of his age."
5. _John Hales._ See vol. i. p. 193, note.
7. _He was born, etc._ "Probably in March, 1553-54," says the _Dict.
of Nat. Biography_.
8. _a school-boy._ He was educated at Exeter grammar school.
14. _the Bishop said to him. Cf._ chap. iii. of the _Vicar of
Wakefield_, where this anecdote is referred to. Indeed Hooker is there
alleged to have been the "great ancestor" of George Primrose.
23. _elemented._ See note to vol. i. p. 53.
26. _I cannot learn the pretended cause._ It seems probable that
the views of Hooker and his friends had offended Barfoot, who was a
zealous Puritan.
17. _he entered into Sacred Orders._ About 1581.
30. _her conditions_, personal qualities, manners. Recent
investigations tend to show that honest Izaak's account is prejudiced,
as Hooker in his will makes his "wel-beloved wife" sole executrix and
residuary legatee, and his father-in-law was one of the overseers.
Nevertheless Wood calls her "a clownish, silly woman, and withal a
mere Xanthippe."
58. _The forenoon ... Geneva._ The speaker was Fuller, but the
quotation is not quite textual.
70. _and behold God's blessings. Cf._ p. 33.
71. _corps_, endowment. "When the _corps_ of the profit or benefice
is but one the title can be but one man's" (Hooker, _Ecclesiastical
Polity_, v. lxxx, § 11).
94. _Judicious Hooker._ This is the first application to Hooker of
this time-honoured epithet. Sir W. Cowper was the grandfather of
William, first Earl Cowper. The monument was erected in 1635.
97. _one of his elder daughters. I.e._ Cicely.
97. _both died before they were marriageable._ Alice died unmarried in
1649; but Jane (or Jone) married Edward Nethersole at Bishopsbourne,
23rd March 1600.
99. _dead in her bed._ In March 1601.
108, _regiment_, regimen, regulation, management. _Cf_. Bacon's essay
"Of Regiment of Health."
121. _in devise_, in contemplation.
LIFE OF HERBERT
_Text, etc.--The Life of Mr. George Herbert_ was first published in
1670, 12mo, with his letters to his mother, etc. It was also included
in the collected _Lives_ of 1670. All his known writings have been
edited by Dr. Grosart for the _Fuller Worthies Library_, 1874, and the
_Aldine Poets_, 1876.
134. _he was elected ... Cambridge._ He was admitted scholar 5th May
1609, and matriculated pensioner at Trinity 18th December 1609.
135. _her husband died._ Sir Richard Herbert died in 1597.
136. _in Oxford four years._ From 1598 to 1603-4.
142. _Bachelor of Arts in 1611._ The correct date is 1612-13.
142. _Matter of Arts, 1616._ See also p. 143. These data were
furnished to Dr. Grosart by the University authorities.
143. _chosen Orator._ 18th January 1620.
149. _many Seals._ See vol. i. p. 72.
150. _a sinecure._ Whitford is in Flintshire.
152. _cross-bias me._ A bowling-green image.
154. _Prebend of Layton Ecclesia._ Grosart points out that Walton was
wrong here. Herbert was not a Deacon. He held the prebendary of Layton
(Leighton Bromswold) as a laic, as he did the sinecure rectorship of
Whitford.
163. _she died in the year_ 1627. In June. On July 1 Donne preached
her Funeral Sermon. See _ante_, p. 139. When it was published (London,
1627, 12mo) Herbert appended to it the Greek and Latin poems to
her memory, entitled _Parentalia_; these were the chief verses he
published in his lifetime.
165. _three months after this marriage._ It took place at Edington on
5th March 1629.
167. _canonical clothes._ This, as Dr. Grosart says, shows that he
"was still a layman."
167. _Parsonage of Bemerton._ In the presentation in the Record
Office, which is dated 16th April 1630, ten days before his induction,
it is styled "Rectory of the parish church of Fulston (Fuggleston) St.
Peter's and Bemerton."
175. "_The Country Parson._" For further particulars see p. 212. Of
the simplicity of this beautiful little book Canon Ainger has well
said, "Not for the first or last time in our literature was it to be
shown that the euphuistic tendency is killed when the writer begins
to think more of his topic than himself" (Craik's _English Prose_, ii.
(1894), 204).
190. _being_, seeing. _Cf._ also p. 258.
193. _genteel_, refined, well-bred.
201. "_The Temple._" See full title on p. 213.
205. _passion_, violent commotion of the mind, perturbation.
206. _my last Will._ This, which Walton had not seen, is printed by
Dr. Grosart (_Herbert's Poetical Works_, 1876, p. lxi).
207. _buried 3rd day of March, 1632._ I.e. in 1633, as the rest of the
note seems to imply. He lies under the altar in the church.
LIFE OF SANDERSON
_Text, etc_ The first separate edition of the _Life of Dr. Robert
Sanderson_ was printed in 1678, 8vo. It is corrected and supplemented
in Jacobson's edition of Sanderson's works, 1854, 6 vols.
223. _the place of his birth was Rotherham._ As stated in the note, it
was Sheffield, in a house called the Lane Head Stane. He was baptized
on the 10th September.
240. _about this time._ He was presented to the Rectory of Boothby
Pagnell in 1619. There is a print of Boothby Parsonage in the
_Gentleman's Magazine_ for 1801, i. 105.
241. _resigned his Fellowship._ In May 1619.
241. _pennyworths_, bargains.
271. _prevented him_, anticipated him.
282. _Little Britain_. Like Duck Lane, Little Britain was (in Strype's
words) "much inhabited by booksellers."
296. _conversation_, intercourse with the world.
303. _blacks_, mourning. _Cf_. Bacon "Of Death" (Essay 2).
305. _29th of January 1662._ Should be 1663. He was buried in the
chancel of Buckden Church.