of cardinal Pole's secret powers; from which it appears that it was never intended to confirm the alienation that was made of the abbey lands. To which are added, two breves, that cardinal Pole brought over, and some other of his letters, that were never before printed. 4to. 1685. 19. u Travels through France, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland; describing their religion, learning, government, customs, natural history, trade, &c. written in letters to the honourable Robert Boyle, esq. To which is added, an appendix, containing remarks on Switzerland and Italy, by a person of quality. 12mo. 1687. 20. A relation of the death of the primitive persecutors. Translated from the Latin of Lactantius. With a large preface concerning persecution, in which the principles, the spirit and practice of it are freely censured and condemned. 8vo. Amsterdam, 1687. The second edition was published in London. 8vo. 1713. 21. A letter to Mr. Thevenot, containing a censure of Mr. le Grand's history of king Henry the eighth's divorce. To which is added, a censure of Mr. de Meaux's [John Benigne Bossuet, late bishop of Condom] history of the variations of the protestant churches; together with some further reflections on Mr. le Grand. 4to. 1689. 22. A letter to Dr. William Lloyd, lord bishop of Coventry and Litchfield, concerning a book lately published, Peerage of England, vol. II. part 2. 8vo. 1735. u There have been several editions of this curious and entertaining narrative, the last of which was printed 1750, 12mo. It vastly surpasseth every thing in its kind extant, in the style, sentiments, matter, and method. The fine spirit which shineth through it is admirable. It is likely, that he exerted himself in an extraordinary manner in the composition, having chosen a person of so eminent a character for his patron. His observations upon the corruptions and impostures of popery must afford peculiar pleasure to every ge nuine and consistent protestant. 66 called "A specimen of some errors and defects in the history of the reformation of the church of England," by Anthony Harmer *. 4to. 1693. 23. An essay on the memory of queen Mary. 8vo. London, 1695. 12mo. Edinburgh, 1695. 24. Reflections on a book, entitled, "The rights, powers, "and privileges of an English convocation stated and vindicated," by Francis Atterbury, M. A. afterwards bishop of Rochester and dean of Westminster. 4to. 1700. 66 25. y The history of his own time, in two volumes, folio. The first published 1723, the second in 17342. To which was added, the life of the author, by his son, Thomas Burnet, esq. since one of the justices of the court of common pleas; who also published a defence of this history, in reply to the objections of the right hon. George Granville lord Lansdown, contained in a pamphlet, entitled, "A letter to the author of the reflections historical and po"litical." The bishop left finished and prepared for the press, a book entitled, "Essays and meditations on morality and religion;" with directions in his last will that it should "laws to that of blind passion and "unbridled will and pleasure." See Hibernicus's Letters, vol. I. numb. 23. z The conclusion of this history, which is addressed to men of all orders and degrees, hath been published in small 12mo. that it may circulate into the hands of numbers of persons whom the history itself might never reach. It is, as the bishop himself observeth," a sort of "testament or dying speech, which," saith he, "I leave behind me to be "read and considered when I can "speak no more." The alarming important truths contained in it are expressed in such a propriety and energy of style, and so solemnly laid home to the consciences of men, that they are admirably calculated and adapted to awaken in the rising generation, a strong and lively sense of religion, virtue, and public be printed, but I cannot find that this order was ever executed. 13th March, 1753. R. F. In St. James's church, Clerkenwell, is a fair marble monument, erected to the memory of bishop Burnet. The pediment, which is circular, is supported by pilasters of the composite order, on the extremities of which are urns, and in the centre are the arms of the see of Salisbury and Burnet, impaled in a shield; on the frieze are cut in relievo several books and rolls; amongst which is one entitled, Hist. Reform. and on the tablet underneath is this INSCRIPTION. H. S. E. GILBERTUS BURNET, S. T.P. Episcopus SARISBURIENSIS Et nobilissimi Ordinis à Periscelide CANCELLARIUS, ABERDONIAE Literis instructus, SALTONI curae animarum invigilavit, Postquam in ANGLIAM transiit rem sacram per aliquot Tyrannidi et Superstitioni semper infensum scripta eruditissima Duxit Uxorem Dominam MARGARITAM KENNEDY Comitis CASSILIAE filiam, dein MARIAM SCOT HAGAE COMITIS, quae ei Septem liberos peperit, quorum adhuc in vivis sunt GULIELMUS, Gilbertus, MARIA, ELIZABETHA et THOMAS. Postremo Uxorem duxit viduam ELIZABETHAm Berkeley, ex qua duos liberos suscepit, fato praematuro non multo post extinctos. Amplissimam pecuniam in pauperibus alendis, et in sumptibus sed ad utilitatem publicam spectantibus, vivus continuo erogavit, morieus duo millia aureorum ABERDONIAE SALTONOQUE ad Juventutem pauperiorem instituendam Testamento legavit. Obiit 17 Die Martii, Anno Domini MDCCXIV-XV. Ætatis LXXII. POSTSCRIPT. SINCE the foregoing papers were sent to the press, the reverend Mr. Sampson Letsome hath published an useful performance, entitled, "The Preacher's Assistant, in two 66 parts." In reviewing the account of bishop Burnet's sermons, contained in this work," it appeareth, that Mr. Letsome hath ascribed to him two funeral sermons: 1. On Ephes. v. 16. 4to. 1678. 2. On 2 Tim. i. 6. 4to. 1689. But I apprehend there is some mistake in this ascription. It is certain, that neither of these sermons is included in the collection of sermons and discourses, written and printed in the years 1677—1704, published by the bishop's direction in 1704, in three volumes 4to. And I am the more confirmed in this sentiment, by observing, that Mr. Letsome hath not referred to any library, as containing the said sermons, nor produced any other authentic evidence in support of his ascribing them to the bishop. The like mistake may be observed in another work of the same nature with Mr. Letsome's, entitled, "An Index "to the sermons published since the restoration, in two parts; the first printed in 1734, the second in 1738; "since reprinted together in one volume, with considerable "additions and improvements, 1751." 66 N. B. In drawing up the preceding account of the numerous writings of the late eminent and worthy prelate, the greatest diligence and application have been exerted, in order to procure such authentic intelligence as might render it complete and accurate. But amidst a great variety of small tracts written and printed separately, at very different times, and at a period very distant from the present, it is not improbable, but that some of those lesser pieces may have escaped the observation of the compiler. The discovery and correction of any errors or defects of this kind, communicated to Mr. Millar in the Strand, will be gratefully acknowledged as a particular favour. 26 March, 1753. |