before him, much commended works of charity, and showed that as they were enjoined on all men, so especially on those in high stations. The same day, after dinner, the king sent for the doctor into his gallery, made him sit in a chair by him, and would not suffer him to be uncovered. Then, after thanking the doctor for his sermon, he repeated the chief heads of it, and added, "I took myself to be chiefly touched by your discourse; for as in the kingdom I am next under God, so ought I most nearly approach to Him in goodness and mercy. As our miseries stand most in need of help from Him, so are we the greatest debtors; and therefore as you have given me this general exhortation, direct me, I intreat you, by what particular act I may best discharge my duty." The result of this conference was a determination in the king to found, and endow with ample revenues, those excellent institutions, Christ's Hospital, St. Thomas's, and Bridewell.

About three hours before his decease, with his eyes closed, and supposing that no one heard him, he offered up the following prayer, "O Lord God, deliver me out of this miserable and wretched life, and take me among thy chosen : Howbeit, not my will, but thine be done. Lord, I commit my spirit to Thee. O Lord, Thou knowest how happy it were for me to be with Thee; yet for thy chosen's sake, send me life and health, that I may truly serve Thee. O my Lord God, bless thy people, and save thine inheritance. O Lord God, save thy chosen people of England. O my Lord God, defend this realm from papistry, and maintain thy true religion, that I and my people may praise thy Holy Name, for thy Son Jesus Christ his sake." Then turning his face, and seeing some near him, he said, "Are you so

nigh? I thought you had been further off." His last words were, "I am faint. Lord, have mercy upon me, and take my spirit."

Thus died this blessed king, our young Josias '.

REFLECTION.-Death knocks at the palace gate, and the cottage door. He calls aloud to the young and the aged: "Prepare to meet thy God."

DR. JOHN HOOPER, Bishop of Gloucester, was eminent for his piety and meekness of character; and he was one of the noble army of martyrs. A short time before his death he said, "I am come hither to end this life, and to suffer death here, because I will not gainsay the former truth that I have heretofore taught among you

5 Writings of Edward the VI. (with a Notice of his Life), Lady Jane Grey, and others. 8vo. 1831.

6 Amos iv. 12.

in this diocese (of Gloucester) and elsewhere. True it is, that death is bitter and life is sweet; but, alas! consider that the death to come is more bitter, and the life to come is more sweet. Therefore, for the desire and love I have to the one, and the terror and fear of the other, I do not so much regard this death, nor esteem this life, but have settled myself, through the strength of God's Holy Spirit, patiently to pass through the torments and extremities of the fire now prepared for me, rather than to deny the truth of his word, desiring you and others, in the mean time, to commend me to God's mercy in your prayers."

A short time before the Bishop suffered he was heard thus to pray: "Lord, Thou art a gracious God, and a merciful Redeemer. Have mercy therefore upon me, after thy great mercy, and according to thine inestimable goodness. Thou art ascended into heaven; receive me to be partaker of thy joys, where Thou sittest in equal glory with thy Father. Strengthen me of thy goodness, that I break not the rules of patience; or else assuage the terror of the pains, as shall seem most to thy glory." To others he observed, "I doubt not but God will give strength to abide the extremity of the fire." His last words were, "Lord Jesu, have mercy upon me.

Lord Jesu, have mercy upon me: Lord Jesu, receive my spirit." It is remarked, that notwithstanding his great sufferings, he died as quietly as a child in his bed and we may hope that, as a blessed martyr, he now shares in the bliss prepared for the faithful in Christ before the foundation of the world for whose constancy, all Christians are bound to praise God'.

7 Wordsworth's Eccl. Biog., vol. ii.

The following are some of Bishop Hooper's Reflections on death:- 1. He is blessed that loseth his life full of mortal miseries, and findeth the life full of eternal joys. 2. It is a grief to depart from goods and friends; but yet not so much as to depart from grace and heaven itself. 3. There is neither felicity nor adversity of this world, that can appear to be great, if it be weighed with the joys or pains in the world to come. 4. Beware of looking too much on the felicity or the misery of this world; for the consideration and earnest love or fear of either draweth from God. 5. Seeing all our salvation resteth in this, that we die in the Lord, whiles we be in health, let us learn this doctrine well, and exercise the same. 6. It is not a Christian's part to sleep in sin, as an ill soldier, till the trump blow; neither yet to provide for weapon only till his enemy be upon him; but to have it ready, that it serve as time and necessity requireth. 7. Live hereafter virtuously, that ye may die godly. 8. Make ready, therefore, while ye have time for yourselves, in the blood of Christ, and study amendment of life. 9. Of none ye may learn so well as by the life and death, and also the doctrine, of the patriarchs, prophets, Christ, and the apostles; whose example, if ye follow not here, in case hereafter ye never come where they be, thank yourselves.

HUGH LATIMER was Bishop of Worcester: Nicholas Ridley, Bishop of London. Latimer assisted Cranmer in the composition of the Homilies. Ridley was instrumental in settling the Articles, the Liturgy, and the Homilies. They both suffered for the truth on the same day, nearly opposite Balliol College, Oxford. When arrived at the place appointed for their suffering, Latimer said to Ridley, "Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man. We shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out." Ridley's last words were, "Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit." Latimer, on the other side, as earnestly praying, "O Father of heaven, receive my soul." At last Ridley fell down at Latimer's feet.

We are informed by Dr. Glocester Ridley, that Bishop Ridley had prepared himself for his approaching death, which a sound judgment and a good conscience made him look upon as a matter