pieces of an old broken boat to make a funeral pile to burn it; which was the custom of the Romans) "Who art "thou, that alone haft the honour to bury "the body of Pompey the great?" so, who am I, that do thus officiously set the Author's memory on fire? I hope the question will prove to have in it more of wonder than difdain. But wonder indeed the reader may, that I, who profess myfelf artlefs, fhould prefume with my faint light to fhew forth his life, whofe very name makes it illuftrious! But be this to the disadvantage of the perfon reprefented certain I am, it is to the advantage of the beholder, who fhall here fee the Author's picture in a natural dress, which ought to beget faith in what is fpoken: for he that wants fkill to deceive, may fafely be trusted.

And if the Author's glorious fpirit, which now is in heaven, can have the leifure to look down and fee me, the pooreft, the meaneft of all his friends, in the midst of his officious duty, confident I am, that he will not difdain this well

meant facrifice to his memory: for, whilst his converfation made me and many others happy below, I know his humility and gentleness were then eminent; and, I have heard Divines fay, thofe virtues, that were but sparks upon earth, become great and glorious flames in heaven.

Before I proceed further, I am to entreat the reader to take notice, that when Dr. Donne's Sermons were first printed, this was then my excufe for daring to write his life; and I dare not now appear without it.

THE

THE LIFE.

MASTER John Donne was born in London, in the year 1573, of good and≤72 virtuous parents: and though his own learning and other multiplied merits may juftly appear fufficient to dignify both himself and his pofterity, yet the reader may be pleased to know, that his father was masculinely and lineally descended from a very ancient family in Wales, where many of his name now live, that deferve and have great reputation in that country.

By his mother he was defcended of the family of the famous and learned Sir Thomas Moor, fometime Lord Chancellor of England; as alfo from that worthy and laborious Judge Raftall, who left posterity the vast statutes of the law of this nation most exactly abridged.

He had his first breeding in his father's house, where a private tutor had the care

of him, until the tenth year of his age; and in his eleventh year was fent to the University of Oxford; having at that time a good command both of the French and Latin tongue. This, and fome other of his remarkable abilities, made one then give this cenfure of him; "That this

age had brought forth another Picus "Mirandula;" of whom story fays, "That "he was rather born, than made wife by "study."

There he remained for fome years in Hart-Hall, having, for the advancement of his ftudies, tutors of feveral fciences to attend and inftruct him, till time made. him capable, and his learning expressed in public exercises declared him worthy, to receive his first degree in the schools, which he forbore by advice from his friends, who being for their religion of the Romish perfuafion, were conscionably averfe to fome parts of the oath that is always tendered at those times, and not to be refufed by thofe that expect the titulary honour of their studies.

About the fourteenth year of his age

he

he was transplanted from Oxford to Cambridge; where, that he might receive nourishment from both foils, he ftaid till his feventeenth year; all which time he was a moft laborious ftudent, often changing his ftudies, but endeavouring to take no degree, for the reasons formerly mentioned.

About the feventeenth year of his age he was removed to London, and then admitted into Lincoln's Inn, with an intent to ftudy the law; where he gave great teftimonies of his wit, his learning, and of his improvement in that profesfion; which never ferved him for other ufe than an ornament and felf-fatisfaction.

His father died before his admiffion into this fociety, and, being a merchant, left him his portion in money. (It was 3000l.) His mother, and thofe to whofe care he was committed, were watchful to improve his knowledge, and to that end appointed him tutors both in the mathematics, and in all the other liberal sciences, to attend him. But with these arts they were advised to inftil into him parti

cular