Sermons (LXXX Sermons etc.); Holy Sonnets

7"0 the eortMest Lady, Mrs. Bridge White. I eould make.some guess whether souls that go fo heaven, retain any memory of us that.stay behind, if I knew whethcr you ever thought of us,.slnce you enjoyed your heaven, which is yourself, at home. Your goi,g away hath ruade London a dead earcase. A terre, and a court, do a littlespiee and enbahn it, and keep it from Imtrefaetion, but the.soul went away in you: and I think the only reasou -hy the plague is.somewhat slackcued, is, because the place is dead already, aud uobody lt.ft worth the killing. Wheresoever you are, there is London enough: and it i.s a diminishing of you to.say so,.since you are more than the re.st of the world. XVhen yo, have a desire to work a miracle, you will return hither, and raise the place from the dead, and the dead that are in it; of whieh I ana one, but that a hope that I have a room in your favour keeps nie alive; which you vhM1 abundantly confinn to me, if by one letter you tell me, that you have receivcd my.six; for now my lettcrs aro grown to that bulk, that I may divide thcm like Amadis the Gaul'.sbook, and tell you, that this is the first lêtter of the.second part of the tàrst book. ¥our humblest, and afl'ectionate.servant, Strand, St. PcteF.s-day, at nine. J. Doxre.

To the wortldest Lad!h 21Ifs. Bridflet lVhite.

I think the letters which I send fo you single lose themselves by the way for want of a guide, or faînt for want of eompany. h'ow, that ou your part there be no excuse, after three singlo letters, I send threo together, that every one of them may bave two witnesses of their delive T. They come also te wait upon another letter flvln Sir E. Herbert, of whose recovery frein a fever, you may apprehend , perfecter contentment th.n we, because you had noue of the foer sorrow. I ara an heretic if it be sound doctrine, that pleasure tastes best after sorrow. For my part, I can love health well enough, though I be never sick; and I noyer needed my mistress's frowns and disfavours, te make her favours acceptable te me. It states, it is  weakness te stand upon a defcnsive war, and safer net te be invaded, thau te have overcome: se in oursoul's health, an innocence is better than thc heartlest repentance. And in the pleasures of this life, it is better that the variety of the pleasures give us the faste and appetite te it, than a sour "and sad interruption ¢luicken oui" stomach; for then we lire by physic. I wish therefore ail your happinesses such as this entire, and without flaw, or spot of discontentment; and such is the love and service of Your humblest and affectionate servant, Strand, St. Peters-day, at four. J.

This letter which I send enclosed bath been yours many months, and hath languished upon my table for a passage se long, that as others send news in their letters, I send an antiquity in mine. I durst net tear it, after it was yours: there is some sacrilcge in defacing anhing conseerated te you, and seine iml)iety te despair that anything devoted te you should net be rescrved te a good issue. I remember I should bave sent it by a servant, of whose diligence I sec I was too confident. I know net what it says: but I dare make this letter no longer, because being very sure that I always think the saine thoughts of you, I ara afraid I should fall upon the saine words, and ,o send one lctter twice together. Your very affectionate servant, l'ovember 8. J. Des,w.

I bave but small comfort in this letter; the messenger cornes too easily to me, and I a,, too sure that the letter shall be delivered. AIl adventures towards you should be of more difl]- eulty and hazard. But perehauee I need hOt lament this; it may be so many of my letters are lost already that itis time that one should corne, like Job's servant, to bring word, that the test were lost. If)'ou have had more belote, this cornes to ask how they were reeeived; and if you bave had noue, it cornes to try how they should have been reeeived. It cornes to)'ou like a bashful servant, who though he have an extreme desire to put himself in your presenee, yet hath hot much to say when he is corne:)'et hath it as mueh to say as you eau think; because what degrees soever of honour, respect, and devotion, you eau imagine or believe tobe in any, this letter tells you, that all those are in nie towards you. o that for this letter you are my seeretary; for your worthiness, and your opinion that I have a just estimation of them, write it: so that itis as long, and as good, as you think it; and nothing is left to me, but as a witness, fo subseribe the naine of ¥our nost humble servant, J. I)ON,'F..

Though this letter be yours, it will hot misbecome or disproportion it that I mention your noble brother, who is gone to Cleave, hOt to return till towards Christmas, except the business deserve him not so long.

I have not received that letter, which by this, I perceive you sent to London; if there were anything in tlmt, by whieh I might bave taken occasion to have done you service belote this time, I haro a double reason ofgrief for the want of it. I came frein thence upon Thursday, where I left Sir Thomas Roe se indulgent te his sorrow, as it had been an injury te bave interrupted it with my unuseful company. I bave done nothing of that kind as your letter intimates, in the memory of that good gcntlewoman; if I had, I should net find any better use of it, than te put it into your hands. You teach me what I owe ber memory; and if I pay that debt se, you bave a part and interest in it, by doing me the honour of remembering it: and thereforo it must corne quickly te you. I hope net for your return frein court, till I corne thitber; which if [ can be toaster of myself, or servant te myself,,vhich I think is all one, I hope te de seine ten days hence, making it my vay te the Bath. Iï)'ou find any there that bave net forgot my naine, continue me in their faveur, and hold in yourself a firm assurance that I ara Your affectionate servant, J. Do..

Te Irs. $lart]ta Garret. hladam, Though there be much merit, iu the faveur your brother hatb donc me in a visit, yet that which doth enrich and perfect if, is that he brought)'ou with him; which he doth, as well by letting me sec how you do, as by giving me occasions, and lcave to talk with)'ou by this letter: if)'ou bave an)" servant, which wishes)'ou better than I, it must be because he is able to put 1,is wishes into a better ïrame, and express them better, and understand proportion, and greatness better flmn I. I ara willing to eonfess my imFotency, which is, that I knov no wish good cnough for you; if any do, my advantage is, tbat I can exceed his, by adding mine fo it. S'ou must not think that I begin to think thus, when you begin fo hear it, by a letter; as sometimes by the changing of the wind, you begin to hear a trumpet, which sounded long before you heard it; so are these thoughts of you ïamiliar and ordinary in me, though they bave seldom the help of this conve.vance fo your knowledge: I ara

To the Honourable Lady, 3Ir. Bridger lVMte.

I have but small comfort in this letter; the messenger cornes too easily to nie, and I ara too sure that the letter shall be delivered. Ail adventures towards you should be of more diffieulty and hazard. But perehanee I need hot lainent this; it may be so many of my letters are lost already that itis rime that one should corne, like Job's servant, to bring word, that the rest were lost. If you have had nore belote, this cornes to ask how they were reeeived; and if you have had none, it cornes to try how they should have been reeeived. It cornes to you like- a bashfid servant, who though he have an extreme desire to put himself in your presenee, yet bath hot much to say when he is eome:)'et bath it as much to say as you ean think; beeause what degrees soever of honour, respect, and devotion, you can imagine or believe tobe in any, this letter tells you, that all those are in me towards you. So that for this letter you are my seeretary; for your worthiness, and your opinion that I have a just estimation of them, write it: so that it is as long, and as good, as)'ou think it; and nothing is left to,ne, but as a witness, to subscribe the naine of Your most humble servant, J. Doxz.

Though this letter be yours, it will hot misbeeome or disproportion it that I mention your noble brother, who is gone to Cleave, hOt to return till towards Christmas, except the business deserve him hOt so long.

I have not received that letter, which by this, I perceive you ent to London; if there were anything in that, by which I might have taken occasion to bave donc you service before this time, I have a double reason of grief for the want of it. I came from thence upon Thursday, where I left Sir Thomas loe so indulgent to his sorrow, as it had been au injury to bave interrupted it with my unuseful company. I bave done nothing of that kind as your ]etter intimates, in the memory of that good gentlewoman; if I had, I should hot find any better use of it, than to put it into your hands. ¥ou teach me what I owe ber memory  and if I pay that debt so, you have a part and interest in it, by doing me the honour of remembering it: and therefore it must corne quickly to you. I hope hot for your retum ri'oto court, till I corne thlther which if I can be toaster of myself, or servant to myself, which I think is all one, I hope to do some ten days hence, making it my way to the Bath. If you find any there tbat bave hot forgot my naine, continue me in their favou.r, and hold in yourself a firm assurance that I ara Your affectionate servant, J.

To 3Ifs. 3artia Garret. Madanl, Though there be much merit, in thc favour)'our brother bath doue me in a visit, yet that which doth enrich and perfect it, is that he brou.bt you wifi him  which he doth, as well by letting me see how you do, as by giving nie occasions, and lcave to talk witb you by this letter: if you bave any servant, which wishes you better than I, it must le because he is able to put his wishes into a better frame, and express them bettcr, and under»tand proportion, and greatness better than I. I ara willing to confess my impotency, vhich is, that I know no wish good enough for vou; if any do, my advantage is, that I can exceed his, bv adding mine fo it. You must not think that I begin to tbink thus, when you begin to hear it, by a letter; as sometimes by the changing of the wind, you begin to hear a trmnpet, which sounded long before)ou heard it; so are these thoughts of)'ou familiar and ordinary in me, though they have seldom tho help of this conve.vance to your knowledye: I ara loth to leave; for as long as in any fashion, I can bave your brother and you here, your make my bouse a kind of Dorvey*; but rince I cannot rtay you here, I will corne thither to you, which I do, by wrapping uœe in tbis paper, the heart of Your most affectionate servant, J. DoNN..

lXTature hath made all bodies alike, by mingling and kneading up the same elements in every one. And amongst men, the other nature, custom hath ruade every mind like some other; we are patterns, or copies, we inform, or imitate. But as he hath hot presently attained fo write a good haud, whieh hath equalled one excellent toaster in his A, another in his B, mueh less he which hath sought all the excellent masters, and employed all his time to exceed in one letter, because hOt so much an cxcellency of any, nor every one, as an evenness and proportion, and respect fo one another gives the perfection: so is no man virtuous by particular example, lgot he that doth all actions to the pattern of the most valiant, or liberal, which histories afford: nor he which chooses from every one their best actions, and thereupon doth something like those. Perchance such may be i»z 1e(ficie»dor«m, which divines allow to monastical life, but hot erfectorun, which by them is only due to prelacy. For virtue is even, and continual, and the saine, and can therefore break nowhere, nor adroit ends, nor beginnings: it is not only not brokcn, but hot tied together. He is hot virtuous, out of whosc actions you can pick an excellent one. Vice and her fruits may be seen, because thcy arc thick bodies, but hot virtue, which is all light; and vices bave swcllings and fits, and noise, because being extremes, they dwell far asundcr, and they maintain both a forei&m war against virtue, and a civil against one another, and eflbct sovereignty, as virtue doth society. The later physicians sa)', that when out natural inborn preservative is corrupted or wasted, • Probably the name of the reeidence of Mr. Garret.E».

sos o o-vn. 40? aud muet be restored by a fie extracted ri'oto other bodes; the cirier ca s that the mummy bave n t no exce]fin quafity, but an equal]y dested retaper: and such s true vrtue. ut mon who bave preçerred money belote ail t]fink they dcM honoumbly wth vrtue, ff they compare her wth money: nnd t]fin that as money s hot ca]led base, tll the alloy cxceed the pure; so thcy are vuous enouh, ff they haro enouh to nmke ther ctons outrent, wlfich s, ff ether they et prase, or On a lower abasing) if they incur not infamy or penalty. But you know who said,.1 »»aa innocentia e»t ad lqem bonum esse: whieh rulo being giron for positive laws, severe mistakers apply even to God's law, and (perehanee against his eommandment) bind themselves to his eounsels, beyond hi laws. lut they are worse, that think that beeause some mon formerly wastcfu], lire botter with hall their rcnts than thcy did with ail, being now vantagcd with diseretiou and experienee, therefore our rimes need less moral virtue than the first, bause we have Christianity, whieh is the use and application of all virtue: as though out religion were but an a of thrit, to make a little virtue go far. For as plentiful springs are fittest, and best beeome large aquaduets, so doth lnuch virtue sueh a steward and oecr as a Chri»tlan. But I must hot give you a homily for a lettcr. said a great while sinee, that eustom ruade mon like; we who have heen aeeustomed to one another are like in this, that we love hot business: this tbefore shall hot be to you nor nm a busy letter. I end with a problem, whose errandçis, to ask for his fellows. I pray before you engulf yourself in the progress, lcave them for me, and sueh other of my papers as you vill lend me till you return. And besides this allegorieal lending, lend me truly your eounsels, and love God and me, whilst I love him and you.

LETr:R XC. To my very trw and very yood Friend, £;ir Henry Good!/ere.

At some latel" reading, I was more affeeted with that part of your letter, which is of tho book, and the nameless letters, than at first. I am hot sorry, for that affection were for a jealousy or suspicion of a flexibility in you. But I am angry, that any should thinl«, you had in your religion peccant hmuours, defecti-e, or abundant, or that such a book, (if I mistake it hot,) should be able to work upon you; my COnlfort is, that theirjudgment is too weak to endanger)'ou, since hy this it confesses, that it mistakes you, in thinking you irresolved or rations: yet let me be bold to fear, that that sound true opinion, that in ail Christian professions there is way to salvation (which [ think you thinl() may bave been so illcommodiously or intempestively sometimes uttered by you; or else your having friends equally neaï you of ail the impressions of religion, may lla'e testified such an indifferencc, as hath occasioned some to fm'ther such inclinations, as they have nliStaken to be in you. This l bave feared, because heretofore the inobediemJt puritans, and now the over-obedient pal)ists, atteml)t you. It hath hurt very many, hot iii their conscience, nor ends, but il thei" reputation, and ways, that othcrs bave thought them fit to be wrought upon. As some bodies are as wholesomely nourished as ours, with acorns, and endure nakeduess, both which would be dangerons to us, if we for them should leave our fol-mer habits, though theirs were the primitive diet and custom; so are many souls well fed with such forms, and dressings of religion, as would distemper and misbecome us, and make us corrupt towal'ds God, if ally hunmn circumstance nmved it, and in the opinion of men, though none. You shai1 sehlom see a coin, up, n which the stanlp were renmved, though to imprint it hetter, l,ut it lool(s awry and _quint. And so, for tlle nmst paloE, do minds which have received divers impressions. I -ill hot, nor need to you, compare the religions. The channe]s of God's mercies ruu through both tïelds  and they are sister teats of his graces, yet both diseased and intbcted, 1,ut hot both alike. And I think, that as Co]oerMclsm in the nmthematics bath carried earth farther np, from the stupid centre; and yet hot honoured it, nor advantaged it, because for the necessity of appearances, it hath carried heaven so much higher from it: so the Roman profession seems to exhale, and refine out wills from ealoEhly drugs, and lees, more than the reforrned, and so seems to bring us nearer heaven; but then that carries heaven falther from us, by making us pass so many courts, and offices of saints in this lire, in ail our petitions, and lying in a painful prison in the next, during the pleasure, hot of him to whom we go, and who must be our judge, but of them from whom we corne, who know hot out case. Sir, as I said last time, labour to keep your alacrity and dignity, in an even temper: for in a dark sadness, indifl'erent things seem abominable, or necessary, being neither; as trees, and sheep, te melancholy night-walkers, have unproper shal,es. And when you dcsccnd te satisfy ail men in your own religion, or te excuse others te ail; you l,rostitute yourself and your understanding, though net a prey, yet a mark, and a hope, and a subject, for every sophister in religion te work on. For the other part of your letter, spent in the praise of the countess, I ara always very apt te believe it of her, and tan uever believe it se wcll, and se reasonably, as new, when it is averred by you; but for the expressing it te her, in that sort as you seem te counsel, I have these two reasons te decline it. That that knowledge which she hath of me, was in the bcginning of a graver course, than of a poet, into which (that I mav also keep my dignit.v) I wouhl net seem te relapse. The Spanish proverb informs me, that he is a fool which cannot make one sommet, and he is mad which makes two. The other stronger reason, is my integrity te the other countess, of whose worthiness though I swallowed your opinion at first ul,m your words, yet I have had since an cxplicit thith, and nov a kuowledge: and for her dclight (since she descends te them) I had reserved net only all the verses, which I should make, but ail the thoughts of women's worthiness. But bccanse I hope she will uot disdain, that I should write well of her picturc, I have obey¢d you thus far, as te write: but entreat you by your friendship, that t,v this occasion of versifying, I be net traduced, ner esteemed light in that tribe, and that bouse where I have livcd. If those reasons which moved you te bid me write be net constant in you still, or if you meant net that I shouhl write verses: or if these verses be too bad, or too good, over or under her understanding, and net fit; I pray receive them, as a companion and supplement of this letter te you; and as such a token as I use te send, which use, because I wish rather thev should serve (except)'ou ufish otherwise) I send 11o other: but after I bave told you, that here at a christening at Peckham, you are remembered by di'ers of ours, and I commandcd to tell you so, I kiss your hands, and so seal to you my pure love, which I would hot refuse to'do by any labour or danger. Your ver T true friend and servant, J. Dor'Nl.

7b the Honourable It'nl.qht,,.ç'ir Robert A'arre.

I had rather like tho first best; not only becauso it is clcaulier, but because it reflects lcast upon the other party, which, in all jest and earnest, in this aflir, I wish avoided. If my muse werc only out of fashion, and but wounded and maimcd like freewill in the Roman church, I should adventure to put ber to au epithalamium. But since shc is dead, like fi'ee-will iJt our chm'ch, I have hot 8o nmch muse left as to lainent hcr loss. Pcrchance this business lllli" produce occasions, wherein I may express my opinion of it, in a more serious manner, a, Vhich I «peak neither upou any apparent conjccture, nor upon any overvaluing of my abilities, but out of a general readincss and alacl'ity to be serviceable and gratefid iu any kind. In both which poor virtues of mine, none eau prctend a lnorc primary interest, than you may, in Your humble and affectionato servant, J.

Perchance others lna)" have told you, that I ara relapsed into my foyer; but that which I must entreat you to condole with me, is, that I ara relapsed into good degrees of health; your cause of sorrow for that, is, that you are likely to be the moro t'oubled with such au impertinence, as I ara; and miue is, that I ara fallen from fair hopes» of ending ail; yet I bave escaped no botter, cheap, than that I have paid death one of my children for my ransom. Bccause I loved it xvell, I make account that I dignify the memory of it, by mentioning of it to you, e]se I should hot be so homely. Impute this brevity of writing to you upon no subject, to my sickness, in which mon use to talk idly: but nty profession of desiring to be retained in your memory, imputo to your own virtues, which have wrought so much upon Your humble servant, J. Do.N ..

Bêcause fo romain in this sort guilty in your lordship's opinion doth not only dêfeat all my future endcavours, but lay a hcavier lmrdeu Ul)on lne, of which I ara more sensible, which is ingratitude towards your lordship, by whose favours I have 1)een forluêrly so lnuch bouud; I hope your lordship 'ill pardon me tbis care aud diligence which I use to rectify myself towards you. To which purpose I hulnbly beseech your lordship, to adroit thus much into yom" consideration, that I neither huuted after this busiuess at first, but al)prehcndêd it as it was prcseuted to mê, and might perchance havc fallen into worse hands, nor pl'(r. ceeded otherwise therein, than to my poor discretion at that time scemcd lawful and requisite and necessary fol" my reputation, who hcld myself bound fo be al)le to give satisfaction fo auy who.hould doubt of the case. Of all which, if your lordship were returncd to your formcr favourable opinions of me,)'ou might be pleed to make this some argument, that after his majesty had showcd llis iuclination to the first lnOtiOn ruade in my behalt', I was not earnest fo urge and solicit that advantage of priority, but as becalue me, contented myself to join with him who had ruade a latcr pctition therein: and as soon as I understood how it was opl)osed or distasted, I threw if down at your lordship's foot, and abandoned it fo your pleasure. Vhich it is necessary for me to say at tlfis time, lest, if ho who was interested vith me in that business shall have proeeeded any farther therein since that time, your lordship ufight conceive new suspicions of me. That your lordship's naine was at all used therein, or that any words of mine occasioned such an error in my servant, I ara so sorry as nothing but a conscience of a truc guiltiness of having perfonned an injm T to your lordship (whieh ean never fall upon me) could affect me more. But l, who fo the measure ofmy comprehension, lmve ever uuderstood your lordship's nobility and evenness, eauhot fear that your lordship will puuish an oversight, like a crime: which shouhl be effeeted upon me, if your lordship should continue your disf,our towards me, since no penalty eould como so burdenous to my mind and to my fortune as that. Aud since the repose of both consists in your lordship's favour, I humbly entreat to be restored to your tkvour, giving your lordship my faith in pawn that I will be as wa D, of forfeiting it by any second occasion, as I ara sorry for this. Yours,

To my honoured Fri«nd, llr. Georye Gerrard.

I eannot ehoose lmt make it a presage that I shall bave no good tbrtunc in England, that I missed the honour of enjoying that eoml,any, which vou brought to town. But I heseech you let my ill luek determiuc in that ominousness: tbr if my hot eoming shouhl be bv lier or vou interpreted for a negllgenee or eoldness in inc, l were already in aetual and present affliction. For that eeelesiastieal lady of whom you write, siuee I presume it is a work of darkness that you go about, we will dêfer it for winter. Perehalee the eold weather, mav bc as good physic to)'ou, as she, for quenehing you. I bave ehanged my purpose of going to ,Vindsor, and will go direetly into the Wight: vhich I tell you hOt as a eoneerning thing, bnt in obedienee to your eommandment, as one poor testimony that I ara 'our affectionate servant, J. Dox-,- 1.

This is the fourth of this month,and I received your packet se late, that I bave scarce xvaking time enough te tell you se, or te v«rite anything but dreams. I bave both veut letters, nmther and daughter, and ara gladdcr of tbem, than if'l had the mother and daughter here in our neighbourhood; you kuow [ mean Sir H. GooElyel'e's parties. Sir, you do uie double honour when my naine passes through you to that noble lady in whose presence you are. It is a better end and a better way to that than I ara worth. cau give you nothing in recompense of that favour, but good counsel; which is to speak sparingly of any ability in lne, lest you eudanger your own reputation, by overvaluing nie. If I shall at auy rime take courage by your letter, to express my meditations of that lady in writing, I shall scarce think less rime to be due to that employment, than to be all my lire in making those vel'ses, aud so take them with me and sing them amougst lier fellowangels iii heaven. I sbould be loth that in an.vthing of mine, composed of lier, slm should not appear much better than some of those of whom I have written. And yet l cannot hope for botter expressings than I have given of them. So you see how nmch I shonld wrong lier, by making her but equal to others. I would I could be believed, when I say that all that is written of theln, is but prophecy of ber. I must use your favour iii getting lier pardon, for having brougbt lier into so narrow, aud low-roofed a room as mv consideration, or for adventuring to give any estimation of lier; and when I see how nmcb sbe cau pardon, I sball the better disceru how far farther I may date to offend in that kind. My noble neighbour is well, and makes nie the steward of his service to you. Before this letter reaches you, I presume you will be gathering towards these parts, a»d then ail news will meet you so fast, as that out of your abundance you will impart 8Ollle te l'out aflectiouate friend te serve you,

If you were here, you would not think me importune, if I bid you good-morrow every day; and sueh a patience will excuse my often letters. No other kind of conveyance is better for knowledge, or love. What treasures of moral knowledge are in Seneca's letters te only one Lucilius.  and what of natural in l'liny's, how much of the story of the rime is in Cicero's lêtters. and how all of these times, in the Jesuit's eastern and western epistles; where can we find se perfect a character of Phalaris, as in his own letters, which are almost se many writs of execution.  or of Brutus, as in his privy seals ïor money.  The Evangiles and Acts, teach us what te believe, but the Epistles of tbe Apostles what te de. And those who have endeavoured te digniîy Seneca above his worth, bave no way fitter, than te imagine letters between him and St. Paul. As they think aise that they haro expressed an excellent person, in that letter which they obtrude, frein our blessed Saviour te King Agbarus. The Italians, which are most discursive, and think the world owes them all wisdom, abound se much in this kind oï expressing, that Michel Montaigne says, he bath seen (as I remember) four hundred volumes of Italian letters. But it is the other capacity whieh must mako mine acceptable, that tlley are also tho best conveyers of love. But, though all knowledge be in those authors already, yet, as seine poisons, and seine medicines, hurt net, ner profit, except the creatures in which they reside, contribute their lively activity, and vigour; se, nmch of the knowledge buried in books perisheth, and becomes inefl'ectual, if it be net applied, and reïreshed by a companion, or îriend. Much of their goodness, hath the same period, which seine physicians of Italy bave observed te be in the biting of their tarantula, that it affects no longer, than the fly lires. For with how much desire we read the papers of any living new, (especially fi'iends) which we would scarce allow a box in out cabinet, or shelf in our library, if they were dead.  And we de justly in if, for the writings and words of men prescrit, we may examine, control, nd expostulate, and recelve satisfaction frein the authors; but the other we must believe, or discredit they present no mean. Since then at this time, I ara upon the stage, you nmy be content te hear me. And new that perchance I bave brought you te it, (as Thonms Badgcr did the king) new I have nothing te say. And it is wel|, for the letter is already long cnough, else let this problem supply, which was occasioned by you, of women wearing stones; which, it seems, you wcrc afi'aid women should read, because you arert them at the beginning, with a protestation of cleanliness. Martial round no wav fitter te draw the Roman matrons te read onc ofhis books, vhich he thinks most moral and cleanly, thau te counsel them by the lïrst cpigram te skip thc book, because it was obscene. But either you write net at all for women, or for those of sincerer palates. Though their unworthiness, and your own case be advocates for me with you, yet I must add my entreaty, that you let go no copy of my problems, till I review them. it be too late, at least be able te tell me who hath them. Your$ J. Do.," .

I send hot my letters as tribute, nor interest, hot recoinpense, nor for commerce, nor as testimonials of my love, nor provokers of yours, nor fo justify my eustom of writing, nor for a vent and utteranee of my meditations; for my letters are either above or under ail sueh offices; yet I write very affectionatcly, and I chide and accuse myself of diminishing that affection which sends them, when I ask myself why: on|y I ana sure that I desire that you might have in your hands letters of naine of zll klnds, as eonveyanees and deliverers of me to you, whether you aeeept me as, friend, or as a patient, or as  penitent, or as a beadsman, for I decline no jurisdietion, nor refuse any tenure. I would hot open any door upon you, but look in when you open it. Angels bave hot, nor affeet hot other knowledge of one another, than they list to revcal to one another. It is then in this only, that friends are angels, that they are capable and fit for such revelations when they are offered. If at any time I seem to study you more inquisiti-ely, it is for no other end but to know laow to present you to God lu my prayers, and what to ask of him for you; for even that ho|y exercise may hOt be done inopportunely, no nor importunely. I find little error in that Grecian's counsel, who says, If thou ask anything of God, offer no sacrifice, nor ask elegantly, nor vehemently, but remember that thou 'ouldest notgive to such an ker. or in his other countryman, who affirms sacrifice of blood to be so unproportionable to God, th.t perfumes, though much more spirituai, are too gross. Yea words which are out subtilest and delicatest outward creatures, being composed of thoughts and breath, are so muddy, so thick, that out thoughts themselves are so, because (except at the first rising) they are ever leavened with passions and affections: and that advantage of nearer familiarity with God, which the act of incarnation gave us, is grounded upon God's assuming us, hot out going to him. And, our accesses to his presence are but his descents into us; and when we get anything by prayer, he gave us beforehand the thing and the 10etition. For I scarce think any ineffectual pr.yer free from both sin, and the punishment ofsin: yet as God SUl)loosed a seventh of out time for his exterior worship, and as his Ch'istian church early prcsented him a type of the whole year it a Lent, and after imposed the obligatiolt of canonic hours, constituting thereby moral Sabbaths every dav; I ara f:u" from dehorting those fixed devotions: but I had rather it were bestowed upon thanksgiving than loetition, upon praise than prayer; hot that God is endeared by that, or wea'ied by this; ail is one in the receiver, but hot in the scder: and thanks doth both offices; for nothing doth so innocently provoke new graces, as gratitude. I would a]so rather make short prayers than extend them, though God can neither be surprised, nor besieged: for long prayers bave more of the man, as ambition of eloquence, and a complacency in the work, and more of the devil by often distractions: for, after in the beginning we bave well entreated God to hearken, we speak no more to him. Even this letter is some example of such infirmity, vhich being intended for a letter, is extended and stmyed into a homily. And whatsoever is not what it was purposed, is worse, therefore it shall at last end like a letter by assuring you I ara 'ours, J. Dom¢z.