SECTION X.

RICHARD HOOKER.

RICHARD HOOKER was born near Exeter, in the year 1553. He possessed great learning and sound judgment; and distinguished himself by a celebrated work, entitled, "The Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity." He was a meek and pious man, and spent his days in laboring to promote the glory of his Creator, and the happiness of men.

In 1585, he was made master of the Temple, which was deemed, by most persons, a noble preferment. But it was not so suitable to Hooker's temper, as the retirement of a living in the country; especially as he had to encounter much opposition. He therefore entreated the archbishop to remove him to a more peaceful residence.

"When I lost," said he, "the freedom of my cell which was my college, yet I found some degree of it in my quiet country parsonage. But I am weary of the noise and oppositions of this place: and, indeed, God and nature did not intend me for contentions, but for study and quietness."

His desire was, to be placed in a situation, "where," as he piously expresses himself, "I may

see God's blessings spring out of the earth, and eat my own bread, in peace and privacy; a place where I may, without disturbance, meditate on my approaching mortality, and on that great account, which all flesh must give at the last day, to the God of all spirits."

His exemplary and peaceable life did not, however, secure him from enemies, by whom he was grossly calumniated, and charged with conduct which he abhorred. Over these attacks, the good providence of God enabled him, at length, to triumph; and his slanderers were convicted, and duly punished.

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His grateful acknowledgments to Heaven, for this deliverance, were expressed in these terms:"O my God! neither my life, nor my reputation, is safe in my own keeping; but in thine, who didst care for me, when I yet hung on my mother's breast. Blessed are they who put their trust in thee for when false witnesses were risen up against me; when shame was ready to cover my face; when I was bowed down with a horrible dread, and went mourning all the day long; then thou, O Lord, didst hear my complaint, pity my condition, and art now become my deliverer. As long as I live, I will magnify thy mercy, who didst not give me over to my enemies."

When his slanderers were about to be punished, he endeavored to procure their pardon: but finding his labors for this purpose fruitless, he observed,

that "he would, however, pray, that God would give them repentance, and patience to undergo their punishment." After this deliverance, be was often heard to say: "O, with what quietness did I enjoy my soul, after I was free from the fears of this slander! And how much more, after the conflict with myself, and the victory over my desires of revenge!"

Hooker was not happy in his marriage: but he endeavored to profit by this trial, and to be cheerfully resigned to the will of God. To a friend, who expressed his sorrow for the troubles in which he saw him involved, he humbly replied in this manner: "My dear friend, I ought not to repine at what my wise Creator hath allotted for me: but I ought to labor, as indeed I do daily, to submit to his will, and to possess my soul in patience and peace."

A short time before his death, this humble and truly good man, expressed himself as follows: "I have lived to see that this world is full of perturba tions; and I have been long preparing to leave it, and gathering comfort for the awful hour of making up 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 my age, and labored to have a conscience void of offence towards him, and towards all men; yet, if thou, Lord, shouldst be extreme to mark what I have done amiss, how shall I abide it? Where I have

failed, Lord, show mercy to me; for I plead not my righteousness, but the forgiveness of my unrighteousness, through 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 choose thy own time; I submit to it. Let not mine, O Lord, but thy will be done!"

At another time he said: "God hath heard my daily petition: for I am at peace with all men, and he is at peace with me. From this blessed assurance, I feel that inward joy, which the world can neither give, nor take from me. My conscience beareth me this witness; and this witness makes the thoughts of death joyful. I could wish to live. to do the church more service; but I cannot hope it; for my days are past, as a shadow that returns not."

Soon after he had uttered these expressions, his spirits failed him; and a short conflict put a period to his life, in the 47th year of his age.

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CHAPTER III.

SIR PHILIP SIDNEY-SIR CHRISTOPHER HATTON-LORD BACON -SIR HENRY WOTTON-PETER DU MOULIN-Dr. DonnePHILIP III., KING OF SPAIN-CATHARINE BRETTERG-OXENSTIERN, CHANCELLOR OF SWEDEN-HUGO GROTIUS-JOHN SELDEN-CARDINAL RICHELIEU-LORD HARRINGTON-SAL

MASIUS.

SECTION I.

SIR PHILIP SIDNEY.

SIR PHILIP SIDNEY was born in Kent, in the year 1554. He possessed shining talents; was well educated; and at the early age of twenty-one, was sent by Queen Elizabeth, as her ambassador to the emperor of Germany. He is described by the writers of that age, as the finest model of an accomplished gentleman that could be formed, even in imagination.

An amiable disposition, elegant erudition, and polite conversation, rendered him the ornament and delight of the English court. Lord Brooke so highly valued his friendship, that he directed to be