seal betwixt God and them of his mercies to their souls, in case that present sickness did put a period to their lives.

And as he was thus watchful and charitable to the sick, so he was as diligent to prevent lawsuits, still urging his parishioners and neighbours to bear with each other's infirmities, and live in love, because, as St. John says, He that lives in love, lives in God; for God is love. And, to maintain this holy fire of love constantly burning on the altar of a pure heart, his advice was to watch and pray, and always keep themselves fit to receive the communion, and then to receive it often; for it was both a confirming and strengthening of their graces. This was his advice; and at his entrance or departure out of any house, he would usually speak to the whole family, and bless them by name; insomuch, that as he seemed in his youth to be taught of God, so he seemed in this place to teach his precepts, as Enoch did, by walking with him in all holiness and humility, making each day a step towards a blessed eternity. And though, in this weak and declining age of the world, such examples are become barren, and almost incredible; yet let his memory be blest with this true recordation, because he that praises Richard Hooker, praises God, who hath given such gifts to men; and let this humble and affectionate relation of him become such a pattern, as may invite posterity to imitate these his virtues.

This was his constant behaviour both at Borne, and in all the places in which he lived: thus did he walk with God, and tread the footsteps of primitive piety; and yet, as that great example of meekness and purity, even our blessed Jesus, was not free from false accusations, no more was this disciple of his, this most humble, most innocent, holy man. His was a slander parallel to that of chaste Susannah's by the wicked elders; or that against St. Athanasius, as it is recorded in his life, (for that holy man had heretical enemies,) a slander which this age calls trepanning. The particulars need not a repetition; and that it was false, needs no other testimony than the public punishment of his accus

ers, and their open confession of his innocency. It was said, that the accusation was contrived by a dissenting brother, one that endured not church-ceremonies, hating him for his book's sake, which he was not able to answer; and his name hath been told me: but I have not so much confidence in the relation, as to make my pen fix a scandal on him to posterity; I shall rather leave it doubtful till the great day of revelation. But this is certain, that he lay under the great charge, and the anxiety of this accusation, and kept it secret to himself for many months; and, being a helpless man, had lain longer under this heavy burden, but that the Protector of the innocent gave such an accidental occasion, as forced him to make it known to his two dearest friends, Edwyn Sandys and George Cranmer, who were so sensible of their tutor's sufferings, that they gave themselves no rest, till by their disquisitions and diligence they had found out the fraud, and brought him the welcome news, that his accusers did confess they had wronged him, and begged his pardon. To which the good man's reply was to this purpose: "The "Lord forgive them; and the Lord bless you for this com"fortable news. Now I have a just occasion to say with So"lomon, Friends are born for the days of adversity; and "such you have proved to me. And to my God I say, as "did the mother of St. John Baptist, Thus hath the Lord "dealt with me, in the day wherein he "take away my reproach among men. "neither my life, nor my reputation, are keeping; but in thine, who didst take "I yet hanged upon my mother's breast. "that put their trust in thee, O Lord: for when false wit

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looked upon me, to And, O my God, safe in mine own care of me when Blessed are they

nesses were risen up against me; when shame was ready "to cover my face; when my nights were restless; when 66 my soul thirsted for a deliverance, as the hart panteth "after the rivers of waters; then thou, Lord, didst hear my

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complaints, pity my condition, and art now become my "deliverer; and as long as I live I will hold up my hands "in this manner, and magnify thy mercies, who didst not

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give me over as a prey to mine enemies: the net is broken, "and they are taken in it. Oh! blessed are they that put "their trust in thee. And no prosperity shall make me for"get those days of sorrow, or to perform those vows that I "have made to thee in the days of my affliction; for with "such sacrifices, thou, O God, art well pleased; and I will them."

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pay

Thus did the joy and gratitude of this good man's heart break forth; and it is observable, that as the invitation to this slander was his meek behaviour and dove-like simplicity, for which he was remarkable; so his Christian charity ought to be imitated. For though the spirit of revenge is so pleasing to mankind, that it is never conquered but by a supernatural grace, revenge being indeed so deeply rooted in human nature, that, to prevent the excesses of it, (for men would not know moderation,) Almighty God allows not any degree of it to any man, but says, Vengeance is mine: and though this be said positively by God himself, yet this revenge is so pleasing, that man is hardly persuaded to submit the manage of it to the time, and justice, and wisdom of his Creator, but would hasten to be his own executioner of it. And yet nevertheless, if any man ever did wholly decline and leave this pleasing passion to the time and measure of God alone, it was this Richard Hooker, of whom I write : for when his slanderers were to suffer, he laboured to procure their pardon; and when that was denied him, his reply was, "That however he would fast, and pray that God "would give them repentance, and patience to undergo "their punishment." And his prayers were so far returned into his own bosom, that the first was granted, if we may believe a penitent behaviour, and an open confession. And it is observable, that after this time he would often say to Dr. Saravia, “ O with what quietness did I enjoy my soul, "after I was free from the fears of my slander! And how "much more after a conflict and victory over my desires of "revenge!"

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 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, insomuch 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; 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 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 which were with him, the blessed sacrament of the body and blood of our 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 appearance, 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 66 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, shew mercy to 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

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