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TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND REVEREND FATHER IN GOD,

GEORGE LORD

BISHOP OF WINCHESTER,

AND

PRELATE OF THE MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER*.

MY LORD,

And

I did, some years past, present you with a plain relation of the life of Mr. Richard Hooker, that humble man, to whose memory, princes and the most learned of this nation, have paid a reverence at the mention of his name. now, with Mr. Hooker's, I present you, also, the life of that pattern of primitive piety, Mr. George Herbert; and with his the life of Dr. Donne, and your friend Sir Henry Wotton, all reprinted. The two first were written under your roof: for which reason, if they were worth it, you might justly challenge a Dedication. And indeed, so you might of Dr. Donne's, and Sir Henry Wotton's: because, if I had been fit for this undertaking, it would not have been by acquired learning or study, but by the advantage of forty years' friendship, and thereby, with hearing and discours

ing with your Lordship, that hath enabled me to make the relation of these Lives passable-if they prove so-in an eloquent and captious age.

And indeed, my Lord, though these relations be wellmeant sacrifices to the memory of these worthy men ; yet I have so little confidence in my performance, that I beg pardon for superscribing your name to them: and desire all that know your Lordship, to apprehend this not as a dedication, at least by which you receive any addition of honour;-but rather as an humble, and a more public acknowledgement, of your long-continued, and your now daily favours to

My Lord, Your most affectionate, and most humble servant, IZAAK WALTON.

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THOUGH the several introductions to these several lives have partly declared the reasons how and why I undertook them, yet since they are come to be reviewed, and augmented, and reprinted, and the fourt are now become one book, I desire leave to inform you that shall become my reader, that when I sometime look back upon my education and mean abilities, it is not without some little wonder at myself, that I am come to be publicly in print. And though I have in those introductions declared some of the accidental reasons that occasioned me to be so, yet let me add this to what is there said: that by my undertaking to collect some notes for Sir Henry Wotton's writing the Life of Dr. Donne, and by Sir Henry's dying before he performed it, I became like those men that enter

* Dr. George Morley, who was distinguished for his unshaken loyalty and attachment to Charles I., and by his exemplary conduct as a divine. Though nominated one of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, he refused to take part in their councils, and sought a refuge abroad, where he continued constantly and scrupulously to exercise his pastoral functions among his fellow-exiles at Antwerp, and subsequently at Breda. Until the Scottish expedition he was a constant attendant on Charles II., who, however, prohibited him from following on that occasion; but when he returned at the Restoration, Dr. Morley was first made Dean of Christchurch, and then Bishop of Worcester, and in 1662 was translated to the see of Winchester. For further particulars, see Wood's Athenæ Oxoniensis.

The Life of Dr. Sanderson was not written when this address was first published.

easily into a law-suit or a quarrel, and having begun, cannot make a fair retreat and be quiet, when they desire it and really, after such a manner, I became engaged into a necessity of writing the Life of Dr. Donne, contrary to my first intentions; and that begot a like necessity of writing the life of his and my everhonoured friend, Sir Henry Wotton.

And having writ these two lives, I lay quiet twenty years, without a thought of either troubling myself or others by any new engagement in this kind; for I thought I knew my unfitness: but, about that time, Dr. Gauden, then Lord Bishop of Exeter, published the Life of Mr. Richard Hooker, so he called it, with so many dangerous mistakes, both of him and his books, that discoursing of them with his Grace, Gilbert, that now is Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, he enjoined me to examine some circumstances, and then rectify the bishop's mistakes, by giving the world a fuller and a truer account of Mr. Hooker and his books, than that bishop had done: and I know I have done so. And let me tell the reader, that till his Grace had laid this injunction upon me, I could not

Dr. Gauden is now, upon sufficient evidence, believed to have been the author of the greater part, if not the whole of that remarkable book, the Eikon Basilike, which was long attributed to Charles I. Dr. Gauden certainly had a great share in it; but Mr. D'Israeli is still of opinion that some passages in it could not have been written by any other than Charles himself. Dr. Gauden was a conscientious man, and was celebrated as a preacher.

admit a thought of any fitness in me to undertake it: but when he had twice enjoined me to it, I then declined my own, and trusted his judgment, and submitted to his commands; concluding that, if I did not, I could not forbear accusing myself of disobedience, and indeed of ingratitude for his many favours. Thus I became engaged into the third life.

For the life of that great example of holiness, Mr. George Herbert, profess it to be so far a free-will offering, that it was writ chiefly to please myself; but yet not without some respect to posterity: for though he was not a man that the next age can forget, yet many of his particular acts and virtues might have been neglected or lost, if I had not collected and presented them to the imitation of those that shall succeed us: for I humbly conceive writing to be both a safer and truer preserver of men's virtuous actions than tradition, especially as it is managed in this age. And I am also to tell the reader, that though this Life of Mr. Herbert was not writ by me in haste, yet I intended it a review, before it should be made public: but that was not allowed me, by reason of my absence from London when it was printing; so that the reader may find in it some mistakes, some double expressions, and some not very proper, and some that might have been contracted, and some faults that are not justly chargeable upon me, but the printer; and yet I hope none so great, as may not by this confession purchase pardon from a good-natured reader.

And now I wish that as that learned Jew, Josephius, and others, so these men had also writ their own lives: but since it is not the fashion of these times, I wish

their relations or friends would do it for them, before delays make it too difficult. And I desire this the more, because it is an honour due to the dead, and a generous debt due to those that shall live, and succeed us, and would to them prove both a content and satis faction. For when the next age shall (as this does) admire the learning and clear reason which that excel| lent casuist, Doctor Sanderson (the late Bishop of Lincoln), hath demonstrated in his sermons and other writings; who, if they love virtue, would not rejoice to know that this good man was as remarkable for the meekness and innocence of his life as for his great and useful learning, and indeed as remarkable for his fortitude in his long and patient suffering (under them that then called themselves the godly party) for that doctrine which he had preached and printed in the happy days of the nation's and the church's peace? and who would not be content to have the like account of Dr. Field*, that great schoolman, and others of noted learning? And though I cannot hope that my example or reason can persuade to this undertaking, yet I please myself, that I shall conclude my Preface with wishing that it were so.

I. W.

Dr. Richard Field, chaplain to James I., and Dean of Gloucester, died Nov. 21st, 1616. He was the friend of

Mr. Richard Hooker, and one of the most learned men of

the age. But although well skilled to shine in the scholastic disputes of his time, he discouraged such vain exhibitions of worldly learning; for, as has been well said of him, "it was his ambition to conciliate, not to irritate."

THE

COPY OF A LETTER WRIT TO MR. IZAAK WALTON,

BY

DR. KING, LORD BISHOP OF CHICHESTER†

HONEST IZAAK,

THOUGH a familiarity of more than forty years' continuance and the constant experience of your love, even in the worst of the late sad times, be sufficient to endear

+ Dr. Henry King, Bishop of Chichester, son of Dr. John King, Bishop of London, and great-nephew of Robert King, the first Bishop of Oxford and the last Abbot of Osney. He was the author of a metrical translation of the Psalms,-of several poems in English, Latin, and Greek; and he also published several sermons and religious tracts. Being disinclined to go all lengths with the high-church party, he was suspected of puritanism; and at a time when the king judged it advisable to conciliate that party-" when," says Jacob, "it was conceived that the most effectual method for the restitution of episcopacy was to prefer persons not only of unblameable lives and eminent for their learning, but such as were generally beloved by all disinterested people," Dr. King, then Dean of Rochester, was advanced to the see of Chichester. But his merits could not save him, and during the ascendancy of Cromwell, Dr. King was obliged to leave the kingdom. He returned at the Restoration, and survived that event nine years, dying on the 1st of October, 1669.

our friendship; yet I must confess my affection much improved, not only by evidences of private respect to many that know and love you, but by your new demonstration of a public spirit, testified in a diligent, true, and useful collection of so many material passages as you have now afforded me in the life of venerable Mr. Hooker of which, since desired by such a friend as yourself, I shall not deny to give the testimony of what I know concerning him and his learned books: but shall first here take a fair occasion to tell you, that you have been happy in choosing to write the lives of three such persons, as posterity hath just cause to honour; which they will do the more for the true relation of them by your happy pen: of all which I shall give you my unfeigned censure.

I shall begin with my most dear and incomparable friend, Dr. Donne, late dean of St. Paul's church, who not only trusted me as his executor, but three days before his death delivered into my hands those excellent

↑ Censure is here and in other places used in the sense of judgment.

sermons of his, now made public; professing before Dr. Winniff, Dr. Monford †, and, I think, yourself then present at his bed-side, that it was by my restless importunity, that he had prepared them for the press : together with which (as his best legacy) he gave me all his sermon notes, and his other papers, containing an extract of near fifteen hundred authors. How these were got out of my hands, you, who were the messenger for them, and how lost both to me and yourself, is not now seasonable to complain: but since they did miscarry, I am glad that the general demonstration of his worth was so fairly preserved and represented to the world by your pen in the history of his life; indeed, so well, that, beside others, the best critic of our later time (Mr. John Hales, of Eton College) affirmed to he had not seen a life written with more advantage to the subject, or more reputation to the writer, than that of Dr. Donne."

me,

After the performance of this task for Dr. Donne, you undertook the like office for our friend Sir Henry Wotton: betwixt which two there was a friendship begun in Oxford, continued in their various travels, and more confirmed in the religious friendship of age; and doubtless this excellent person had writ the life of Dr. Donne, if death had not prevented him; by which means, his and your pre-collections for that work fell to the happy manage of your pen: a work which you would have declined, if imperious persuasions had not been stronger than your modest resolutions against it. And I am thus far glad that the first life was so imposed upon you, because it gave an unavoidable cause of writing the second: if not, it is too probable we had wanted both; which had been a prejudice to all lovers of honour and ingenious learning. And let me not leave my friend Sir Henry without this testimony

* Dr. Thomas Winniff, successively Dean of Gloucester and of St. Paul's, was promoted to the bishopric of Lincoln in 1641, on the translation of Dr. Williams to York. His promotion, in consequence of his principles, which were suspected to lean too much towards puritanism, became a source of care and discomfort, and he was at last under the necessity of retiring to a country parish, Lambourn in Essex, where he died in 1654. Lord Clarendon, in such a case an impartial witness, naming this prelate and four other divines who were appointed bishops at the same time as he, characterises them all as "of the greatest eminency in the church, frequent preachers, and not a man to whom the faults of the then governing clergy were imputed, or against whom the least objection could be made."

+ Dr. Thomas Mountfort, canon residentiary of St. Paul's, died February 27th, 1632.

John Hales, an eminent divine and critic, usually distinguished by the appellation of "The ever-memorable;" Greek Professor in the University of Oxford, and afterwards Fellow of Eton College. From his vast erudition, he was called "The Walking Library," and was esteemed one of the greatest scholars in Europe. Sir David Dalrymple, Lord Hailes, who edited a beautiful edition of his works, says, that they who are acquainted with the literary and political history of England, will perceive that the leading men of all parties, however different and discordant, have, with a wonderful unanimity, concurred in praise of the ever-memorable Mr. John Hales of Eton." Hales was a staunch royalist, and suffered severely during the usurpation of Cromwell, and was reduced to sell a part of his valuable library to Cornelius Bee, a bookseller in London, for 7001.; but there appears no reason to give credit to the story generally current that he died in extreme poverty, since in his will, which is dated on the day of his death, he bequeathes several legacies, as well in money as in books and rings. He died on the 19th of May, 1656, aged 72 years.

added to yours; that he was a man of as florid a wit, and as elegant a pen, as any former (of ours, which in that kind is most excellent) age hath ever produced.

And now, having made this voluntary observation of our two deceased friends, I proceed to satisfy your desire concerning what I know and believe of the evermemorable Mr. Hooker, who was "schismaticorum malleus," so great a champion for the church of England's rights, against the factious torrent of separatists that then ran high against church discipline; and in his unanswerable books continues to be so against the unquiet disciples of their schism, which now, under other names, still carry on their design; and who (as the proper heirs of their irrational zeal) would again rake into the scarce closed wounds of a newly bleeding state and church.

And first, though I dare not say that I knew Mr. Hooker; yet as our ecclesiastical history reports to the honour of St. Ignatius, "that he lived in the time of St. John, and had seen him in his childhood;" so I also joy that in my minority I have often seen Mr. Hooker with my father, who was after Bishop of London; from whom, and others, at that time, I have heard most of the material passages which you relate in the history of his life; and from my father received such a character of his learning, humility, and other virtues, that, like jewels of unvaluable price, they still cast such a lustre, as envy or the rust of time shall never darken.

From my father I have also heard all the circumstances of the plot to defame him; and how Sir Edwin Sandys outwitted his accusers, and gained their confession and I could give an account of each particular of that plot, but that I judge it fitter to be forgotten, and rot in the same grave with the malicious authors.

I may not omit to declare, that my father's knowledge of Mr. Hooker was occasioned by the learned Dr. John Spencer, who, after the death of Mr. Hooker, was so careful to preserve his unvaluable sixth, seventh, and eighth books of Ecclesiastical Polity, and his other writings, that he procured Henry Jackson, then of Corpus Christi College, to transcribe for him all Mr. Hooker's remaining written papers; many of which were imperfect: for his study had been rifled, or worse used, by Mr. Chark, and another, of principles too like his. But these papers were endeavoured to be completed by his dear friend Dr. Spencer §, who bequeathed them as a precious legacy to my father; after whose death they rested in my hand, till Dr. Abbot ||, then Archbishop of Canterbury, commanded them out of

§ President of Corpus Christi College in Oxford. After the death of Mr. Hooker he published the five books of Ecclesiastical Polity, with an excellent preface.

Dr. George Abbot, a man of great learning and piety, but whose character has, in consequence of the part he took in the political and religious controversies of the times, been very roughly handled by many historians of opposite opinions. He was much favoured by James I., but his opposition to the projects of Laud brought him into disgrace with Charles. His life has been well written, and his character set in a true light, by Mr. Arthur Onslow, Speaker of the House of Commons. He says, that "if he had some narrow notions in divinity, they were rather the faults of the age he had his education in, than his; and the same imputation may be laid on the best and most learned of the reformers. His parts seem to have been strong and masterly, his preaching grave and eloquent, and his style equal to any of that time. He was eminent for piety, and a care for the poor; and his hospitality fully answered the injunction King James laid on him, which was to carry his house nobly and live like an archbishop."

my custody, by authorizing Dr. John Barkeham *, to require, and bring them to him to his palace in Lambeth: at which time, I have heard, they were put into the bishop's library, and that they remained there till the martyrdom of Archbishop Laud; and were then by the brethren of that faction given, with all the library, to Hugh Peters †, as a reward for his remarkable service in those sad times of the church's confusion. And, though they could hardly fall into a fouler hand, yet there wanted not other endeavours to corrupt and make them speak that language for which the faction then fought, which indeed was, to subject the sovereign power to the people.

But I need not strive to vindicate Mr. Hooker in this particular: his known loyalty to his prince whilst he lived, the sorrow expressed by King James at his death, the value our late sovereign (of ever-blessed memory) put upon his works, and now the singular character of his worth by you given in the passages of his life, especially in your appendix to it, do sufficiently clear him from that imputation: and I am glad you mention how much value Thomas Stapleton, pope Clement the Eighth, and other eminent men of the Romish persuasion, have put upon his books; having been told the same in my youth by persons of worth that have travelled Italy.

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times, you have given us a more short and significant account than I have received from any other pen. You have done much for the learned Sir Henry Savile, his contemporary and familiar friend; amongst the surviving monuments of whose learning (give me leave to tell you so) two are omitted; his edition of Euclid, but especially his translation of King James's Apology for the Oath of Allegiance, into elegant Latin: which. flying in that dress as far as Rome, was by the pope and conclave sent to Salamanca unto Franciscus. Suarez‡, (then residing there as president of that college,) with a command to answer it. And it is worth noting, that when he had perfected the work, which he calls, Defensio Fidei Catholica," it was transmitted to Rome for a view of the Inquisitors; who, according to their custom, blotted out what they pleased, and (as Mr. Hooker hath been used since his death) added whatsoever might advance the pope's supremacy, or carry on their own interest; commonly coupling together "deponere et occidere," the deposing and then killing of princes. Which cruel and unchristian language Mr. John Saltkel§, the amanuensis to Suarez, when he wrote that answer, (but since a convert, and living long in my father's house,) often professed the good old man (whose piety and charity Mr. Saltkel magnified much) not only disavowed, but detested. Not to trouble you further; your reader, (if, according to your desire, my approbation of your work carries any weight) will here find many just reasons to thank you for it; and possibly for this circumstance here mentioned (not known to many) may happily apprehend one to thank him, who heartily wishes your happiness, and is unfeignedly,

Lastly, I must again congratulate this undertaking of yours, as now more proper to you than any other person, by reason of your long knowledge and alliance to the worthy family of the Cranmers, (my old friends also,) who have been men of noted wisdom; especially Mr. George Cranmer, whose prudence, added to that of Sir Edwin Sandys, proved very useful in the completing of Mr. Hooker's matchless books: one of their letters I herewith send you, to make use of, if you think fit. And let me say further, you merit much from many of Mr. Hooker's best friends then living: namely, from the ever-renowned Archbishop Whitgift, Chichester, Nov. 17, 1664. of whose incomparable worth, with the character of the

Chaplain to Archbishop Bancroft, as well as to his successor, Dr. Abbot, and Dean of Bocking in Essex; an able divine and an amiable man. To his knowledge in divinity he added other literary accomplishments, being an accurate historian, well skilled in coins and antiquities, and so great a proficient in heraldry, that he is generally supposed to have been the author of that celebrated work which was published in the name of John Guillim.

The history of this warlike chaplain of Cromwell's is too well known to need further notice here. He was a man of considerable talents, but very little principle. Of his behaviour during his trial and at his execution, see the State Trials.

Sir,

Your ever faithful

and affectionate old Friend,

HENRY CHICHESTER.

A celebrated Jesuit, the author of many controversial and other tracts. He was born in 1548, and died in 1617. § Mr. John Saltkel, or Saltkeld, was for some years a member of the church of Rome and a Jesuit. He was profoundly read in theological and other authors; but being for the fame of his learning brought before King James, he was so far convinced by his majesty's arguments as to come over to the church of England, for which he was wont to style himself "The Royal Convert;" and the king honoured him so far as to call him "The learned Salkeld," in his works and writings. Mr. Salkeld became rector of Church Taunton in Devonshire, in 1635, and was afterwards, for his loyalty, deprived of his preferment. He died at Ulculm, in February 1659-60.

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