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and holy mortifications; his face full of heat-pimples, begot by his inactivity and sedentary life. And to this true character of his person let me add this of his disposition and behaviour: God and nature blessed him with so blessed a bashfulness, that, as in his younger days, his pupils might easily look him out of countenance; so neither then, nor in his age, did he ever willingly look any man in the face; and was of so mild and humble a nature, that his poor parishclerk and he did never talk but with both their hats on, or both off, at the same time. And to this may be added, that though he was not purblind, yet he was short or weak-sighted; and where he fixed his eyes at the beginning of his sermon, there they continued till it was ended.

His use was to preach once every Sunday, and he or his curate to catechize after the second lesson in the evening prayer: his sermons were neither long nor earnest, but uttered with a grave zeal, and an humble voice; his eyes always fixed on one place, to prevent his imagination from wandering, insomuch that he seemed to study as he spake. The design of his sermons (as indeed of all his discourses) was to show reasons for what he spake; and with these reasons, such a kind of rhetoric, as did rather convince and persuade, than frighten men into piety; studying not so much for matter (which he never wanted) as for apt illustrations, to inform and teach his unlearned hearers by familiar examples, and then make them better by convincing applications; never labouring

by hard words, and then by needless distinctions and sub-distinctions, to amuse his hearers, and get glory to himself, but glory only to God. Which intention, he would often say, was as discernible in a preacher, as a natural from an artificial beauty.

About the year 1600, and of his age forty-six, he fell into a long and sharp sickness, occasioned by a cold taken in his passage by water betwixt London and Gravesend; from the malignity of which he was never recovered: for, after that time, till his death, he was not free from thoughtful days and restless nights; but a submission to His will, that makes the sick man's bed easy, by giving rest to his soul, made his very languishment comfortable: and yet all this time he was solicitous in his study, and said often to Dr. Saravia (who saw him daily, and was the chief comfort of his life), That he did not beg a long life of God, for any other reason, but to live to finish his three remaining books of polity; and then, "Lord, let thy servant depart in peace!" which was his usual expression. And God heard his prayers, though he denied the church the benefit of them, as completed by himself; and it is thought that he hastened his own death, by hastening to give life to his books: but this is certain, that the nearer he was to his death, the more he grew in humility, in holy thoughts- and resolutions.

About a month before his death, this good man, that never knew, or at least never considered, the pleasures of the palate, became first to lose his appetite, and then to have an averseness to all food; inso

much, that he seemed to live some intermitted weeks by the smell of meat only, and yet still studied and writ. And now his guardian angel seemed to foretell him that the day of his dissolution drew near; for which his vigorous soul appeared to thirst. In this time of his sickness, and not many days before his death, his house was robbed; of which he having notice, his question was, Are my books and written papers safe?" and being answered, "That they were,"

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his reply was, "Then it matters not; for no other loss can trouble me."

About one day before his death, Dr. Saravia, who knew the very secrets of his soul (for they were supposed to be confessors to each other), came to him, and, after a conference of the benefit, the necessity, and safety of the Church's absolution, it was resolved that the Doctor should give him both that and the sacrament the day following. To which end, the Doctor came; and, after a short retirement and privacy, they two returned to the company; and then the Doctor gave him, and some of those friends that were with him, the blessed sacrament of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus. Which being performed, the Doctor thought he saw a reverend gaiety and joy in his face : but it lasted not long; for his bodily infirmities did return suddenly, and became more visible, insomuch that the Doctor apprehended death ready to seize him; yet, after some amendment, left him at night, with a promise to return early the day following; which he did, and then found him better in appear

ance, deep in contemplation, and not inclinable to discourse; which gave the Doctor occasion to require his present thoughts. To which he replied, "That he was meditating the number and nature of angels, and their blessed obedience and order, without which peace could not be in heaven: and oh, that it might be so on earth!" After which words, he said, "I have lived to see this world is made up of perturbations; and I have been long preparing to leave it, and gathering comfort for the dreadful hour of making my account with God, which I now apprehend to be near and though I have, by his grace, loved him in my youth, and feared him in' mine age, and laboured to have a conscience void of offence to him, and to all men ; yet, if thou, O Lord, be extreme to mark what I have done amiss, who can abide it? and therefore, where I have failed, Lord, show mercy unto me; for I plead not my righteousness, but the forgiveness of my unrighteousness, for His merits who died to purchase pardon for penitent sinners: and since I owe thee a death, Lord, let it not be terrible; and then take thine own time, I submit to it: let not mine, O Lord, but let Thy will be done!" with which expression he fell into a dangerous slumber; dangerous as to his recovery; yet recover he did but it was to speak only these few words: "Good Doctor, God hath heard my daily petitions; for I am at peace with all men, and he is at peace with me; and from that blessed assurance I feel that inward joy, which this world can nei< ther give nor take from me: my conscience beareth

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me this witness, and this witness makes the thoughts of death joyful. I could wish to live to do the Church more service, but cannot hope it; for my days are past as a shadow that returns not." More he would have spoken, but his spirits failed him; and, after a short conflict betwixt nature and death, a quiet sigh put a period to his last breath, and so he fell asleep.

And here I draw his curtain, till, with the most glorious company of the Patriarchs and Apostles, and the most noble army of Martyrs and Confessors, this most learned, most humble, holy man, shall also awake to receive an eternal tranquillity; and with it a greater degree of glory than common Christians shall be made partakers of. In the mean time, bless, O Lord! Lord, bless his brethren, the clergy of this nation, with effectual endeavours to attain, if not to his great learning, yet to his remarkable meekness, his godly simplicity, and his Christian moderation! for these will bring peace at the last: and, Lord! let his most excellent writings be blessed with what he designed, when he undertook them; which was, glory to thee, O God on high! peace in thy Church, and good-will to mankind. Amen, Amen.

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