50. Dean Stanhope to Mr. Bowyer.

GOOD MR. BOWYER,-It is with very great concern that I heard of the sad disaster befallen you. You and your family have been in great part the subject, not only of my waking, but even of my sleeping thoughts, from the moment the ill news reached me. You are a person of understanding and religion enough, I persuade myself, thoroughly to believe that second causes have a wise Director, and that none of our calamities are the effect of chance. This thought, I doubt not, you pursue through all its just consequences, such as may work in you a true Christian resignation to God's afflicting providence, and render you contented under your loss, nay, even thankful for it, not only on account of the lives which have been saved, but also of the excellent fruits this affliction may, and I hope will, produce by your improvement of it. For surely humbling oneself under the Almighty's hand; such a dread of his power and justice as may increase the fear of offending him; less affection for, and no manner of trust in, the enjoyments of this world; and a more eager desire and endeavour after those in a better state, of which we may rest secure that they cannot be taken from us, are very natural and becoming consequences of so sad and sudden a calamity. You, God be praised, have the comfort of being far from the condition of those wretches whom the world have reason to think marked out for vengeance. But each of us, who looks into himself, will find more than enough there to justify the severest dispensations toward him. Or, if it were not so, which yet always will be so, the best are not above the improvement of their virtues, of which great adversities are an eminent exercise and proof.

The post waits; and I must hasten. My heart bleeds for your poor wife. God sanctify this trouble to you both; and give you the piety and the reward of those saints who "take joyfully the spoiling of their goods, knowing that in themselves they have a better and more enduring substance in heaven!"

I am your sincere friend and servant,
GEO. STANHOPE.

Lewisham, Jan. 31, 1712.

51. Mr. George Herbert to his Mother, in her
sickness.

Trinity College, Cambridge, May 25, 1622. MADAM,-At my last parting from you I was the better content, because I was in hope I should myself carry all sickness out of your family; but since I know I did not, and that your share continues, or rather increaseth, I wish earnestly that I were again with you; and would quickly make good my wish, but that my employment does fix me here, it being now. but a month to our 66 commencement:" wherein my absence, by how much it naturally augmenteth suspicion, by so much shall it make my prayers the more constant and more earnest for you to the God of all consolation. In the mean time I beseech you to be cheerful, and comfort yourself in the God of all comfort, who is not willing to behold any sorrow but for sin. What hath affliction grievous in it more than for a moment? or why should our afflictions here have so much power or boldness as to oppose the hope of our joys hereafter? Madam, as the earth is but a point in respect of the heavens, so are earthly troubles compared to heavenly joys: therefore, if either age or sickness lead you to those joys, consider

what advantage you have over youth and health, who are now so near those true comforts. Your last letter gave me earthly preferment, and, I hope, kept heavenly for yourself. But would you "divide" and "choose" too? Our college-customs allow not that; and I should account myself most happy if I might change with you; for I have always observed the thread of life to be like the threads of skeins of silk,-full of snares and encumbrances. For myself, dear mother, I always feared sickness more than death; because sickness hath made me unable to perform those offices for which I came into the world, and must still be kept in it: but you are freed from that fear, who have already abundantly discharged that part, having both ordered your family and so brought up your children that they have attained to years of discretion and competent maintenance. So that now, if they do not well, the fault cannot be charged on you, whose example and care of them will justify you both to the world and your own conscience; insomuch that whether you turn your own thoughts on the life past, or on the joys that are to come, you have strong preservatives against all disquiet. And for temporal afflictions, I beseech you consider all that can happen to you are either afflictions of estate, or body, or mind. For those of estate, of what poor regard ought they to be! since if we had riches, we are commanded to give them away: so that the best use of them is, having not to have them. But perhaps, being above the common people, our credit and estimation call on us to live in a more splendid fashion; but, O God, how easily is that answered, when we consider that the blessings in the holy Scripture are never given to the rich, but to the poor! I never find, "Blessed be the rich," or "Blessed be the noble;" but "Blessed be the meek," &c. &c., "Blessed be the poor," and "Blessed be the mourners, for they shall be com

forted." And yet, O God, most carry themselves so, as if they not only not desired, but feared to be blessed. And for afflictions of the body, dear madam, remember the holy martyrs of God, how they have been burnt by thousands, and have endured such other tortures as the very mention of them might beget amazement: but their fiery trials had an end; and yours (which, praised be God, are less) are not like to continue long. I beseech you let such thoughts as these moderate your present fear and sorrow; and know, that if any of yours should prove a Goliath-like trouble, yet you may say with David, "That God who hath delivered me out of the paws of the lion and bear, will also deliver me out of the hands of this uncircumcised Philistine." Lastly, for those afflictions of the soul, consider that God intends that to be as a sacred temple for Himself to dwell in, and will not allow any room there for such an inmate as grief, or allow that any sadness shall be his competitor. And, above all, if any care of future things molest you, remember these admirable words of the Psalmist," Cast thy care on God, and he shall nourish thee." To which join that of St. Peter, "Casting all your care on the Lord, for he careth for you." What an admirable thing is this, that God puts his shoulder to our burden, and entertains our care for us, that we may the more quietly intend his service! To conclude, let me commend only one place more to you-Philip. iv. 4: St. Paul saith there, "Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, rejoice." He doubles it, to take away the scruple of those who might say, What! shall we rejoice in afflictions? Yes; "I say again, rejoice." So that it is not left us to rejoice, or not rejoice; but whatsoever befalls us, we must always, at all times, rejoice in the Lord, who taketh care for us. And it follows in the next verses: "Let your moderation appear unto all men.

The

What

Lord is at hand: be careful for nothing." can be said more comfortably ?-trouble not yourselves; God is at hand, to deliver us from all and in all. Dear madam, pardon my boldness, and accept the good meaning of

Your most obedient son,

GEORGE HERBERT.

52. Archbishop Leighton, in prospect of Death.

Dumblane, April 19th.

DEAR SIR,-I was strangely surprised to see the bearer here. What could occasion it I do not yet understand. At parting he earnestly desired a line to you, which without his desire my own affection would have carried me to, if I knew what to say, but what I trust you do; and it is, that our joint business is to die daily to this world and self, that what little remains of our life we may live to Him that died for us. For myself, to what purpose is it to tell you, what the bearer can, that I grow old and sickly; and though I have here great retirement, as great and possibly greater than I could readily find any where else, yet I am still panting after a retreat from this place and all public charge; and next, to rest in the grave? It is the pressingest desire I have of any thing in this world; and, if it might be, with you or near you. But our heavenly Father (we quietly resigning all to him,) both knows and will do what is best. Remember my kindest affection to your son and daughter, and to Mr. Siderfin, and pray for