Sermons (LXXX Sermons etc.); Holy Sonnets

been my hawkings in my sorry journeys. I ccompany them with another rag of verses, worthy of that naine for the smalhess and age, for it bath long lay among my other papers, and laughs at them th3t haro adventured to you: for I think till now you saw it not, and neither you, nor I shod repent it. Sir, if I were anything, my love to you might multiply it, and dignify if: but infinite nothings are but one such; yet since even chimeras have some names and titles. I ara also

If I would calumniate, I could sy no iii of tht gentleman: I know hot vhether my lord or myselï took the first pprehension of i't; but I remember that very soon we coneurred in  good opinion of him; thereupon for justifying out own forwardness, we observed him more thoroughly, and found ail the way good reason fo ratify out first estimation of him. This gave my lord occasion to send him abroad in hls service after: how he satisfied him in that employment, indeed I know not. But, that I disguise nothing, I remember my lord told me sometimes in his absence, that he had hOt account from him of some things, whieh he had deposed in him. And af his entering into his coach, at his last going, I asked my lord, Goes not the gentleman with you . and hc told me with some coldness, No. So that if you be hot pressed to a rcsolution, you may be pleased to forbear a few days, till I may occaaionally discern, whether he bave demerited or sunk iu my lord's opinion: and then you shall bave another character of him from Your very humble and thankful servant 25th July. J. Dos;.

To the Ilonourable ]ff.qkt, Sir Robert I(arre.

This is but a postscript to the last letter, and itis only to tell you, that it was an impertinent jealousy that I conceived of that gentleman's absence from my lord, for he glves that full testimony of him, that he never discerned any kind of unfitness in him for any employment, except too nmch goodness and conscientiousness may sometimes nlake him sonlewhat less fit for some kinds of business, than a man of a looser rein. And this is ail, that I conceive to have been in the conmmndment wherewith you honoured Your very humble and thankfid servant in Christ Jesus, 2d August, 1622. J.:DONNE.

I have scarce had at any rime anything so like news to write to you, as that I ara at this town; we came from Spâ with so much resolution of passing by Holland. But at hlastricht we found that the lowness, and slackness of the river, would incommodate us so much, as we charged our whole gests, and came hither by land. In the way at Lovaine we net the Earl of Arundcl, to recompensc the loss we had of missing my Lord Cauds and his company, who came fo Spâ within a few hours after ve calue away. Sir Edward Conaway, by occasion of his body's indisposition, was gone home before: he told ne he had some hope of you about Bartholomew-tide: but because I half understood by a letter from you, tbat you were determined upon the country till Michaelmas, I ana not so earnest in endeavouring fo prolong our stay in these parts, as otherwise I should. If I could join with him in that hope of seeing you on this side the water; and if you should hold that purpose of coming at that rime, I should repent extremely my laying of our journeys; for (if we should by miracle hold any resolution) we should be in

England about that time, so that I might miss you both here, and there. Sir, out greatest business is more in out power than the Icat, and we may be surer to meet in heaven than in any place upon earth; and whilst we arc distant here, we may meet as often as we list in God's presence, by soliciting in our prayers for one another. I received four letters from you at Spâ by long circuits. In the last, one from my Lord Dorset: I, who had a conscience of mine own unworthiness of any favour from him, eould not choose but present my thanks for the least. I do hot thereïore repent my ïorwardness in that office; and I beseech you hot to repent your part therein. Since we came to this town, there arrived an extraordinary from Spain, with a reconfirmation of the Duke d'Aunml's pension, which is thereby 2400/. a-year, and ho brings the title of count, to Rodrigo de Calderon, who, from a very low place, having grown to be secretary to Lerma, is now ambassador here, and in great opinion of wisdom: they say yet he goes to Pragate with the lIarquis Spinola, and the General Buquoy, to congratulate the emperor: but we all conclude bore, that persons of such quality, being great in marrer of war, are hot sent for so small an employment: we believe certainly, that they deliberate a war, and that the reduction of Aix being hot worthy this diligence, their intentions must be upon Cleve, for the nev tovn which the two princes make by Collen, despites them ranch. The Elector of h[entz bath lately been bore, upon pretence of coming in devotion to Sichem, and shortly the electors of Coleiu and Saxony are to be here severally: al] concurs to a disposition of such a war, and the Landgrave of Hesse (who is as yet in the union) is much solicited and caressed by this party, and I doubt, will prove  frail and corruptible man. I durst thiuk confidently, that they wil] at least proceed so far towards a war, as to try how France will dispose itself in the business: for it is conceived that the Duke of Bouillon brought to our klng good assurances from the queen regent, that she would pursue all ber husband's purposes in advancing the designs of those princes who are in possession of Clerc, and in the union. If she declare herself to do so, when they stir, they are like to divert their purposes; but if she stand but neutral (as it is likely, cousideriug how Spanish the court is at this rime) I VOL. VIo "2 C

sec hot that the princes of the union are much likely to retard thcm. Sir, you sco what unconcerning things I ara fain to writo of, lest I should write of nlyself, who ara so little a history or t.ale, that I should hOt hold out to make a letter long enough to send over a sea fo you; for I should despatch mysclf in this one word, that I ara Your affectlonate servant and loyer, August 16th, here*, 1622. J. DONN..

All out noralities are bt out outworks, or Christlanity is out citadel; a man who considers duty but the dignity of his being a nan, is hot easily beat from his outworks, but from his ('hristianity never; and thercfore I date trust you, who cotcnplate them both. Evcry distemper of thc body now, is COmldicated with the spleen, and when we were young men we scarce over heard of the spleen. In out dcclinations now, e-ery accident is accompanied with heavy clouds of nelancholy; and in out youth we never admitted any. It is the spleen of the mind, and we aro affected with vapours from thence; yet truly, evcn this sadness that overtakes us, and this yielding to the sadness, is hot so vehcment a poison (though it be no physic neithcr) as those false ways, in which we sought out comforts in out looser days. You are able to make rules to yourself, and out blessed Saviour continue to you an ability to keep within those rulcs. And this particu]ar occasion of your present sadness must ho helped by the rule, for, for examples you will scarce find any, scarce any that is hot encumbered and distressed in his fortmes. I had loeked myselt , sealed and secured myself against al/possibilities of falling into new debts, and in good faith, this year hath thrown ne 400/. lower than when I entered this house. I ara a father as well as you, and of children (I humbly thank God) of • Iost pl'obably Faakt'ort.Ev.

as good dispositions; and in saying se, I make aceount that I have taken my comparison as high as I could go; for in good faith I believe yours te be se: but as those my daughters (who are capable of such considerations) cannot but sec my dcsire te accommodate them in this world, se I thiuk they wiil net murmur if heaven rnust be their nunnery, and they associated te the blessed virgins there: I know thcy would ho content te pass their lires in a prison, mther thall I should macerate myself for them, mueh more te surfer the mediocrity of my bouse, and my means, though that canner prefer them: yours are such too, ami it need net that patience, for your fortune doth net se far exerciso their patience. But te leave all in God's hands, frein whose hands notbing tan be wrung by whining but by praying, ner by praying wiflout thoflat volunta» tua. Sir, you are used te my hand, and, I think haro leisure te spend seine time in piekillg out sense, in rags; else I had written less, and in longer time. I[cro is room for an amen; the prayer — se I ana going te my bcdsido te make for ail you ami 11 yours, with Your truc friend and servant in Christ Jesus,

I would have intermitted this weck without writing, if I had net round tho naine of my Lady Huntington in your letter. The devotion which I owc, and (in good faith) pay in my best prayers for her good, in all kind awakens me te present my humble thanks for this, that her ladyship retains my naine in her rnemory: sho never laid obligations upon any man, readier te express his acknowledgment of them, te any servant of ber servants; I ara bound te say much of this, for your indernnity; beeause though I had a little preparation te her knowledge in the houso where I served at first, yet, I think, she took her charaeters of me, frein you: and at what time soever she thought best of me in her lire, I ara better than that, for my goodness is my thankfulness, and I ara every day fidler of that than before, te lier ladyship. I say nothing te you of foreign names in this letter, because your son Sir Francis is here. For that which you write concerning your son, I only gave my man Martin in charge, te use his interest in the keeper, that your son should rail under no wants there, which it seems your son discharged, for I hear net of them. For other trifles, I bade my man let him bave whatsoever he asked, se, as it might seem te corne frein him, and net nie; and laying that look upon it, it came te almost nothing. Tell both your daughters a piece of a story of my Constance, which luay accustom them te endure disappointments in this world: an honourable person (whose naine I give you in a schedule te burn, lest this letter should be mislaid) had an intention te give lier one of his sons, and had told it me, and would haro been content te accel»t what I, by my friends, could haro begged for ber; but he intended that son te my profession, and had provided him already 300/. a-year, of his own gift in church livings, and hath estated 300/. more of inheritance for their children: and new the youth, (who yet knows nothing of his father's intention ner lnine) flies ri'oto his resolutions for that calling, and importunes his father te let him travel. The girl knows net lier loss, for I never told lier of it: but tru]y, it is a great disapl)ointment te me. More than these, Sir, we must all surfer, in out way te heavcn, wherc, I hope you and ail yours shall meet Your poor friend, and affectionate servant, 18th October, 1622. J. Dor¢rE.

This is a second letter: the enclosed was written before. Now we are sure that Heidelberg is taken, and entered with cxtreme cruelties. Almost ail the defenders forsook their stations; only Sir George Herbert maintained his nobly, to the repulsing of the enemy three rimes, but having ease in the other parts, eight hundred new fresh men were put upon his quarter, and after he had broke four pikes, and done very well, he w shot dead in the place. Manheim was soon after besieged, and is still. Heydclth was lest the sixth of this month. The king upon news of this, sent te the SDanish anabassador, that the Deople werc like te resent it, and therefore, if he doubted aughL he should bave a guard: but I de net see, that he seems te need it, in his own opinion, neither, in truth does he; the people are fiat: or trust in God, and thc kins ways. Sit" Horace Vcre hath written te his wifi, (as I ara told) a lettcr in the nature of a wil], for thc disposing of his cstate and chi]drcn, as though ho di,1 net aceount te see lier auy more, but yct Mauhcim cauuot bc lest, but by storming. ¥our man stays, and out bcll rings me iuto the church; there, air, I shall recommcnd you te God's goodness, with Your friend, 24th Sept. J. Do,'.

I have the honour of your letter, which I ara almost sorry to have received: sone few days before the rcceipt dlereof Dr. Turner, who accompanied my Lord Carow to Siou to dilmer, dmwed me a letter f»om you, f»om which I conceived good hopes that your businesses being devolvcd into the hands of the treasuret, had been in much more forwardness, than by your letter to lne they appear to be. I beseech God establish them, and hasten theln, and with them, or without them, as he sees most conducible to his pnrpose upon yon, continue in)'ou a relying upon him, and. satisfaction in his ways. I know hot xvhether any letter from your son, or any other report, may have given you any mention of me; he writ to me from the Compter, that he was uader  trifling arrest, and that three pounds and some little more would discharge him. I sent my man with that money, but bid him ce if employed for his discharge: he round more actions, and returned. Next day he writ to me that eight pounds would discharge hiln, aud that Mr. Sclden woul,l lay down hall But hlr. Selden and I.pcaking toget]lcr, thotght it the fittcst way to redite all, till, in a few days, by his writing to you, we might be directeel therein; ancl in tho meantime, took ortier with tho kecper to accommodate him, and I bade my man Martin, as from himself, to serve his present want with some things. Since we told him, that we would attend a return of his letter to you, I heard no more of him, but I hear he is out. ,Vhosoever serres you with relations from this town, I am sure prevents me of ail I eau say. The Palatinate is absolutely lost; for belote this lctter corne to you, we make account that Heidelberg and Frankindale is lost, and Manhcim distressed. Mansfeld came to Breda, and Gonzales, to ]3russels, with great losses on both sidcs, but equal. The Prince of Orange is but now corne to Breda, aud with him, all that he is able to make, even out of the gartisons of their towns. The ways of victual to Spinola's army, are ahnost ail precluded by him, and he likely to put upon the raising of Spinola, between whom and the town, there are botter disputes, than e'er our rimes saw. The secretary of the States hcre showed me a letter yesterday-night, that the town spends six thousand pounds of powder a-day, and bath spent since the siege two hundred and fifty thousand pounds. Argit's regiment and my Lord Vaux, are so diminished by comings away, as that both (I think) make hot now in muster above six hundred. Mr. Gage is returning to Romc, but of his negotiation I date say nothing by a letter of adventure. The direction which his majesty gavo for preachers, had scandalized nmny; thcrefore he deseended to pursue them with certain reasons of his proceedings therein; an«l I had COlnnmndment to publish them in a sermon at the Cross, to as great a congregation as ever I saw together, where they received comfortable assurance of his majesty's constancy in religion, and of his desire that ail men should be brcd in the knowledge of such things, as might preserve them from the superstition of Rome. I presume it la but a little while belote we shall sec you here, but that little time is likely to produce many things greatly considerable. Prescrit, I pray, my thankful services to your good daughters. I can give them no better a room in my prayers, and wishes, than my poor Constance hath, and thcy have that; so have you sir, with Your very truc fricnd and servant in Christ Jesus, J. DOSNF..

A few hours aftcr I had the honour of your letter, I had another from my Lord of Bath and Wells, commanding from tho king a copy of my sermon T. I ara in preparations of that, with diligence, yet this morning I waited upon his lordship, and laid up in him this truth, that of the Bishop of Canterbury's sermon, to this hour, I noyer heard a syllablc, nor what way, nor upon w|lat points he went: and for mine, it was put into tht vcry ordcr, in whieh I dcli,-ered if, more than two months sincc. Freely fo you I suy, I would I were a little more guilty: only mine innocency makes me afrMd. I hopod for thê king's approbation heretoforo in many of my serinons; and I bave lmd it. But yesterday I came very near looking for thanks; for, in my lifc, I was ucver in any one piece, so studious of his service. Thercfore, exceptions being taken, and displeasure kindled at this, I mn afraid, it was mther brought thither, than met there. If you know any moro, fit for me (because I hold that unfit for nie, to appcar in my nmster's sight, as long as this eloud hangs, and thcrefore, this day forbcar my ordinary waitings) I beseech you to intimato if to Your very humblo and very thankful servant, J. DONNZ.

To tlte lyht Hononrable,STr Robert Karre, ai Court.

I humbly thank you, for this eontinuing me in your mcmory, and enlarging me so far, tre fo the memory of my overeign, and (I hope) my toaster. My tenets are always, for tho preservation of the roligion I wns born in, and the peaee of the which he talres to himself, is presently cast in a mould, and in an instant ruade fit for his use; for heaven is not a place of a proficiency, but of present perfection. That piece which he leaves behind in this world, by the death of a part thereof, grows fitter and fitter for him, by the good use of his corrections, and the entire conformity to his will. Nothing disproportions us, nor makes us so incapable of being reunitcd to those whom we loved here, as murmuring, or hot advancing the goodness of him, who hath removed them from hence. SVe would wonder, to see a man, who in a wood were left to his liberty, to fell what trees he would, taire only the crookcd, and leave the straightest trees; but that man bath perchance a ship to build, and hot a housc, and so bath use of that kind of tituber: let hot us, who know that in Gooes bouse there are many mansions, but yet have no model, no design of tho form of that building, wonder at his taking in of his materials, why he talres the yonng, and leavcs the old, or why the sicldy overlive those, that had better hcaltll. We are hot bound to thinlr that souls departed, bave divested ail afl'ections towards them, whom they left here; but we are bound fo thinlr, that for ail their loves they would hot bo here again; then is the will of God done in earth, as it is in heaven, whcn we ncither preternfit his actions, nor resist them; neither pass them over in an inconsideration, as though God had no hand in them, nor go about to taire thcm out of his hands, as though we could direct him to do them better. As God's scriptures are |ris will, so his actions are his will; both are testaments, becauso they testify his mind to us. It is hot lawful to add a schedul to either of his wills: as they do ill, who add to his written wil], thc Scriptures, a schedule of apocryphal books: so do they also, who to his other will, his manifested actions, add apocryphal conditions, and a schedule of such limitations as these, if God would have stayed thus long, or, if God would have proceeded in this or this manner, I could bave borne it. To say that out afflictions are greater than we can bear, is so near to despairing, as that the saine words express both; for when we consider Cain's words in that original tongue in which Goal spake, we cannot tell whethcr the words bo, 1My lmnishment is greater than can bo borne; or, lIy sin is greater than can be forgiven. But madam, you who willingly sacrificed yourself te God, in your obedieuce te him, in your own sickness, cannot be doubted te dispute with him, about any part of you, which he shall bc pleased te require at your hands. The difference is great in the loss, of au arm, or a head; of a child, or a husband: but te them, who are incorporated into Christ, their head, there can be no beheading; upon you, who are a member of thc spouse of Christ the church, there can fall no widowhead, ner orphanage upon those children te whom God is father. I have net another office by your husband's dcath; for I was your chaplain belote, in my daily praycrs; but I shall en]argc that office with other collccts, than bcforc, that God will continue te you, that peace which you bave ever had in him, and send you quiet, and peaceable dispositions in ail them with whom you shŒEll have anything te de, in your temporal cstate and matters of this world. Amen. ¥our ldyship's vcry humble and thankful servant in Christ Jesus, At my poor bouse, at St. Paul's, J. Do.N. 26th October, lç2.

I have obeyed the ferres of out church of Paul's se much, as te have been a solcmn Christmas man, and tried conclusions upon myself, how I could sit out the siege of new faces, every dinncr. Se that I bave net seen the bishop in aome wecks. Aud I know net whether he bo in case, te afford that privacy, which you justly desire. This day, I am in my bondage of entcrtaining. Suppers I presume, are inconvenient te you. But this evening I will spy upon the bishop, and give you an account to-morrow morning of his disposition; when, if he cannot be entiro te you, since you are gone se far downwards in your favours te nie, be pleased te pursue you humiliation se far as te chooso your da)-, and either te surfer the solitude of this place, or te change it, by such company, as shall wait upon you, and corne as a visiter and ovseer of this hospital of nfine, and dine or sup at this miaerable chezmey. Your humblest and thankfullest ser-ant, 4th Jn., 1626. J. DONNE.

Though I h:ve left my bed, I have net left my bedside; I sit there still, and as n prisoner discharged, sits at the prison door, te beg fees, se sit I here, te gather crumbs. I have used this leisure, te put the meditations had in my sickness*, into seine such order, as may nfinister seine boly delight. They arise te se many sheets (perchance twenty,) as that without staying for that furniture of an epistle, that my friends importuned me te print them, I importune my fi'iends te receive them printed. That, being in hand, through this lon.g trunk, that reaches frein St. Paul's, te St. James's, I whisper into:)'out car this question, whether there be any uncomeliness, or unsensonableness, in presenting marrer of devotion, or mortification, te that prince, whom I pray God nothing may ever mortify, but holiness. If:)'ou allo,v my purposes in general, I pmy eat yo,r eye upon the title and the epistle, and rectify me in them: [ submit substance, and eircumstance te:)'ou, and the poor Author of both, Your very humble and very thankfid servant in Chrisg Jesus, J. DONNI.

I know net which of us won it by the hand, in the last charge of letters. If:)'ou won, you won nothing, because I am nothing, or -,vhtsoever I ara, you won nothing, because I -,va all • His devotions; this fixes the date of this letter te 1627.E». "l" l'robably writtcn in 1629.Ev.

yours before. I doubt net but I were better delivered of dangers of relapses, if I were at London; but the very going would endanger me. Upon which truc debility, [ waa forced te excuse myself te my Lord Chamberlain, from whom I had a letter of command te bave preached the 5th of November sermon te the king. A service which I would net bave declined, if I could bave conceived any hope of standing it. I beseech you entreat my Lord Percy in my behalf, that he will be pleased te name George te my Lord Carlisle, and te wonder, if net te inquire, where he is. The world is disposed te charge my lord's honour, and te charge my natural affection with neglecting him, and God knows, I know net which way te turn towards him; uor upon any message of nfine, when I send te kiss my lord's hands, doth my lord make any kind of mention of him. For the diamond lady, when time serves, I pray look te it; for I would fain be discharged of it. And for the test, let them be but remembered how long it hath been in my hands, and then leave it te their discretion. If they incline te anything, I should choose shirt IIolland, rather under than above four shillings. Out blessed Saviour multiply his blessings upon that noble family where you are, and yomelf, aud your son; as upon all them that are dcrived fivm, Your poor friend and servant,

Te the worthiest Kni#ht,,Sir Henry Goodyere *.

Our blessed Saviour, who abounds in power and goodness towards us ail, bless you, and your family, with blessings proportioaed te his ends in you ail, and bless you with the testimony of a rectified conscience, of having discharged all the offices of a father, toxvards your discreet and worthy daughters, and bless them xvith a satisfaction, and quiescence, and more, with a complacency and a joy, in good ends, and ways towards them, Amen. Your man brought me your letter of the 8th of December this 21st of the saine, te Chelsey, and gives me the largeness, till

Friday te send a letter te PauFs-house. There can scarce be piece of that, or of those things whereof you require light frein me, that is net corne te your knowledge, by sorne clearer way, between the time of your letter, and this. Besicles, the report of my death, hath thus rnuch of truth in it, that though I ho net dead, yet I arn buried with]n a few weeks after I immured myselî in this bouse, the infection struck into the town, into se rnany houses, as that it becarne ill-manners, te make any visits. Therefore I never went te Knoll, ner Hanworth, ner Kenton, ner te the court, since the court carne into these quarters, ner arn yet corne te London; therefore I arn little able te give you account oï high stages. Perchance you look net se low, as out Olxlinary Gazette, and that tells us, (with a second assurance) that the Duke of Brunswick, Christian, is dead of an ague. My Lord of Dorset even upon the day, when ho should have becn installcd with his six fellows, fell sick at London; and at court (whieh does net exalt ail rnen) his lever was exalted te the p]aguc; but he is in gooà convalescence. Of the navy I hear of no great lirnb corne back yet, but rny Lord of Essex; something of thc disappointing of the design they had, is imputed te sorne difference, in point of cornmand, between hirn and the Master of the Ordnance, rny Lord of Valencia, but as yet there is little rnanifested. Already is issued a proclamation, that there be no disbanding oï the soldiers, upon their landing, in xvhat part soever, and that his majesty bath present employrne,t for them. What the main business at Haoale bath been, I know nothing; but I hear that their offbr of pawning oï jewcls te a very very great value, te the States or private men, bath round no acceptance, at le, round no rnoney. Occasionally I heard h'om the Hague, that the qeen having taken into ber care, the promoving and advancing of sorne particular rnen's businesses, by way of recommendations to the duke, expressed herself very royally, in your behalf. This I tell you not, as though you knew it hOt, but because I had the fortune to see it in  letter of the simple gentlewoman, frorn thence; by whieh naine if you know her not, I bave omitted heretofore to tell you a good tale. They continue af coin% in the resolution of the queen pastoral; when Queen Aime loved garnbols, you loved the court; perchance you

may donbt whether yon ho a thorongh courtier, if yon corne net u I) te see this, the qneen a shepherdess: but I speak net this by way of connsel, te draw you ni), it is net on]y on «yo, but eo Dus eo eyo, te call you hither, but upon fait pearances of nseîul comings. Mr. George Herbert is here the receil)t of yonr letter, and with his service te you, tells you that ail of Uvedall-house are well. I reserve net the mention of my L,tly Huntington te tho end of ny letter, as grains te the/o11 weight, but as tincture te ake the botter /old, when you find room te intrnde se poer and impertinent a nme, as mine is, in her presence. I beseech yon let hot ladyship know, that ho bath sowed her îavours towards me, in nch a gronnd, that if I ho grown botter (as I hole I ara) her favours are grown with mi, and though they were gret when she conferred them, yet, (if I mend every day) they increase in mv every day, and therefore every day multilJly my thankfulness towards ber ladyship: ay what you will (if you liko net this ixirission) that may mako lier ladyship kllOW, that I shall noyer let fall tho memory, ner the just valuation of her noble îavours te me, ner leave them unrcluited in my exchequer, v¢hieh is the blessings of God upon my pi'ayei's. If I should write another sheit, I should be able te serve your curiosity no more of doEes ner lords ner courts, and this liMf line serres te tell)'ou, that I ara truly Your poor friind and humble servant in Christ Jesus,

This advantage you and my other friends bave, by my frequent revers, that I ara se much the oftener at thc gates of heaven, and this advantage by the solitude and close imprisonment that they rcduce me te after, that I ara thereby the oftener at my praycrs; in which I shall noyer leave out your happines; and, 1 doubt net, but amongst his many other blessings, God will add te yo seine one for ny prayers. A man xvou]d almos be content te dic, (if there were no other benefit in death) te hear of se • No address ner date; ,Valton quotes tlds letter, as « te a dcar friœend;" proLb|y Ir. G. Gerrard. It was written in Januv.ry» 1630.—Er.

much sorrow, and so much good tcstimony ri'oto good men, as I, (God be blessed for it) did upon the report of my death. Yet, I perccive it went not through ail; for, one writ unto nie, that some (and he ald of my fi'iends) conceived, that I was not so ill, as I pretended, but withdrew myself, to save charges, and to lire at ease, discharged of preaching. It is an unfriendly, and God knows, an ill-grounded interpretation: for in these rimes of necessity, and multitudes of poor, there is no possibility of saving, to him that bath any tenderness in him; and for afl'ecting nly ease, I have been always more sorry, when I could not preach, than any could be, that they could not hear me. It hath been any desire, (and God may be pleased to grant it me) that I might die in the pulpit; if not that, yet that I might take my dcath in the pulpit, that is, die the sooner by occasiou of my former labours. I thank you, for keeping our.George in your memory; I hope God reserves it for so good a friend as you are, to send me the first good news of him. For the diamond lady,)'ou may safely deliver loper, whatsoever belongs to nie, and he will give you a discharge for the money. For my Lord Percy, we shall speak of it, when xve meet at London; which, as I do not much hope belote Christmas, so I do not lnuch fcar at beginning of terln; for I bave entreated one of my fellows to preach to my Lord lIayor, at Paul's upon Christmas-day, and rese'ved Candlemas-day to myself for that service, about which rime also, will fall my Lent sermon, except my Lord Chalnberlain believe me to be dead, and leave me out; for as long as I lire, and am not speechlenu, I xvould not decline that service. I bave better leisure to write, than you to read, yet I will hot oppress you with too much letter. God bless you, and your son, as Your poor friend and humble servant in Christ Jesus,

LETTER LXXXII. To my oble Friend, Mr«. Coi'aln, ai A«hburne. My noblest Sister, But that it is sweetened by your eonlmand, nothing eould trouble me more, than to writc of myself. Yet, if I would bave it known, I must write if myself; for, I neither tell children, nor servants, my state. I bave never good retaper nor good pulse, nor good appetite, 11or good sleep. Y'et, I bave so much leisure to recollect myself, as that I eau think I bave been long thus, or often thus.! ara hOt alive, because I have hot had enough upon me to kill me, but because it pleases God to pass me through ma»y ifirmities betb,'e he take me either by those particular remenbrances, to b,'ing me to particular repentances, or by them to gis'e ne hope of his particular mercies in heaven. Therefore have I been more affected with coughs in vehemeuce, more with deafess, mo'e with toothach, more with the vurbah, than heretofore. Ail this mellows me fog heaven, and so ferments me in this world, as I shall need no long concoction in the grave, but hasten fo the resurrection. Hot only to be earer that grave, but tobe uearer to t|e service of the church, as |oug as I shal| be al)le to do any, I purl)ose,God willing, to be at London, within a fortight after yoir receipt of this, as wel because I ara mder the obligatio of preaching at Paul's upou Candlemas-day, as because ] llosv nothiug to tle contrary, but tat I may be called to court, for Lent service; and my wituess is i heave, that! neveu- left out St. Dtmstan's, wbe I was able to do them that sers'ice; nor wi]l now; though thcy that lnosv the state of tlat church well, luosv that [ ara hot so boud, as the world thiks, to preach there; tbr I male hot a shilling profit of St. Duustan's as a churchman, but as my Lord of Dorset gave me the lease of the impropriation, for a certai rent, aud a higher rent, than my predecessor had it at. This I ara fain to say often, because they that lnow it not, bave deïamed me, of a det'ectivcness towards that church; ad evel that mistaling of theirs Iever bave, and ever shall endeavor to rectify, by as often preaching there, as my codition of body will adroit. All out company here is well, but hOt at home now, when I write; for, lest I should hOt bave another return to London, before the day of your carrier, I write this, and test, Your very affectiouate servant, and friend, and hrother, J. DoE. 15th January, 1630, Abrey-hatch.