to that end both his own and his fifter's power to her lord; but with no fuccefs; for his answer was, "That though he "was unfeignedly forry for what he had "done, yet it was inconfiftent with his place and credit, to discharge and re"admit fervants at the request of paf"fionate petitioners."

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Sir George's endeavour for Mr. Donne's readmiffion was by all means to be kept fecret:-(for men do more naturally reluct for errors, than fubmit to put on those blemishes that attend their visible acknowledgment.)—But however it was not long before Sir George appeared to be so far reconciled, as to with their happiness, and not to deny them his paternal bleffing, but yet refused to contribute any means that might conduce to their livelihood.

Mr. Donne's eftate was the greatest part spent in many and chargeable travels, books, and dear-bought experience : he out of all employment that might yield a support for himself and wife, who had been curiously and plentifully

educated; both their natures generous, and accustomed to confer, and not to receive, courtefies: thefe and other confiderations, but chiefly that his wife was to bear a part in his fufferings, furrounded him with many fad thoughts, and fome apparent apprehenfions of want.

But his forrows were leffened and his wants prevented by the seasonable courtefy of their noble kinfman, Sir Francis Wolly, of Pirford in Surry, who intreated them to a cohabitation with him; where they remained with much freedom to themselves, and equal content to him, for fome years; and as their charge increased (fhe had yearly a child), so did his love and bounty.

It hath been observed by wife and confidering men, that wealth hath seldom been the portion, and never the mark to discover good people; but that Almighty God, who difpofeth all things wifely, hath of his abundant goodness denied it (he only knows why) to many, whofe minds he hath enriched with the greater bleffings of knowledge and virtue, as the fairer

c 3

to that end both his own and his fifter's power to her lord; but with no fuccefs; for his anfwer was, "That though he "was unfeignedly forry for what he had "done, yet it was inconfiftent with his

66

place and credit, to discharge and re"admit fervants at the request of pas"fionate petitioners."

Sir George's endeavour for Mr. Donne's readmiffion was by all means to be kept fecret:-(for men do more naturally reluct for errors, than fubmit to put on those blemishes that attend their visible acknowledgment.)-But however it was not long before Sir George appeared to be so far reconciled, as to with their happiness, and not to deny them his paternal bleffing, but yet refufed to contribute any means that might conduce to their livelihood.

Mr. Donne's eftate was the greatest part spent in many and chargeable travels, books, and dear-bought experience : he out of all employment that might yield a support for himself and wife, who had been curiously and plentifully educated;

educated; both their natures generous, and accustomed to confer, and not to receive, courtefies: thefe and other confiderations, but chiefly that his wife was to bear a part in his fufferings, furrounded him with many fad thoughts, and fome apparent apprehenfions of want.

But his forrows were leffened and his wants prevented by the seasonable courtefy of their noble kinsman, Sir Francis Wolly, of Pirford in Surry, who intreated them to a cohabitation with him; where they remained with much freedom to themselves, and equal content to him, for fome years; and as their charge increafed (fhe had yearly a child), fo did his love and bounty.

It hath been obferved by wife and confidering men, that wealth hath feldom been the portion, and never the mark to difcover good people; but that Almighty God, who difpofeth all things wifely, hath of his abundant goodness denied it (he only knows why) to many, whose minds he hath enriched with the greater bleffings of knowledge and virtue, as the fairer

c 3

fairer teftimonies of his love to mankind : and this was the prefent condition of this man of fo excellent erudition and endowments; whofe neceffary and daily expences were hardly reconcileable with his uncertain and narrow eftate. Which I mention, for that at this time there was a moft generous offer made him for the moderating of his worldly cares; the declaration of which shall be the next employment of my pen.

God hath been fo good to his church, as to afford it in every age fome fuch men to ferve at his altar as have been piously ambitious of doing good to mankind; a difpofition, that is fo like to God himself, that it owes itself only to him, who takes a pleasure to behold it in his creatures. These times he did bless with many fuch; fome of which still live to be patterns of apoftolical charity, and of more than human patience. I have faid this, because I have occafion to mention one of them in my following

* Anno 1608.

difcourfe;