Mr. George Herbert's have done so to this, and will doubtless do so to succeeding generations.I have but this to say more of him that if Andrew Melvin died before him, then George Herbert died without an enemy.- -I wish (if God shall be so pleased) that I may be so happy as to die like him. Iz. WA. There is a debt justly due to the memory of Mr. Herbert's virtuous wife; a part of which I will endeavour to pay, by a very short account of the remainder of her life, which shall follow. She continued his disconsolate widow about six years, bemoaning herself, and complaining, "that she had lost the delight of her eyes," but more "that she had lost the spiritual guide for her poor soul;" and would often say, "O that I had like holy Mary, the mother of Jesus, treasured up all his sayings in my heart: but since I have not been able to do that, I will labour to live like him, that where he now is, I may be also." And she would often say (as the prophet David for his son Absalom) O that I had died for him! Thus she continued mourning, till time and conversation had so moderated her sorrows, that she became the happy wife of sir Robert Cook of Highnam in the county of Gloucester knight and though he put a high value on the excellent accomplishments of her mind and body; and was so like Mr. Herbert, as not to govern like a master, but as an affectionate husband; yet, she would even to him often take occasion to mention the name of Mr. George Herbert, and say, "That name must live in her memory, till she put off mortality." -By sir Robert, she had only one child, a daughter, whose parts and plentiful estate make her happy in this world, and her well using of them, gives a fair testimony, that she will be so in that which is to come. Mrs. Herbert was the wife of sir Robert eight years, and lived his widow about fifteen; all which time she took a pleasure in mentioning, and commending the excellencies of Mr. George Herbert. She died in the year 1663, and lies buried at Highnam: Mr. Herbert in his own church, under the altar, and covered with a grave-stone without any inscription. This lady Cook had preserved many of Mr. Herbert's private writings, which she intended to make public: but they, and Highnam house, were burnt together, by the late rebels, and so lost to posterity. I. W. LETTERS written by Mr. GEORGE HERBERT, at his being in Cambridge: with others to his mother, the lady MAGDALEN HERBERT, written by JOHN DONNE, afterwards Dean of St. Paul's. Mr. GEORGE HERBERT to N. F. the translator of Valdesso. My dear and deserving brother, your Valdesso I now return with many thanks, and some notes, in which perhaps you will discover some care, which I forbear not in the midst of my griefs; first for your sake; because, I would do nothing negligently that you commit unto me; secondly for the author's sake, whom I conceive to have been a true servant of God; and to such, and all that is theirs, I owe diligence; thirdly for the church's sake, to whom by printing it, I would have you consecrate it. You owe the church a debt, and God hath put this into your hands (as he sent the fish with money to St. Peter) to discharge it: happily also with this (as his thoughts are fruitful) intending the - honour of his servant the author, who being obscured in his own country, he would have to flourish in this land of light, and region of the gospel, among his chosen. It is true, there are some things which I like not in him, as my fragments will express, when you read them; nevertheless, I wish you by all means to publish it; for these three eminent things observable therein: first, that God in the midst of popery should open the eyes of one to understand and express so clearly and excellently the intent of the gospel in the acceptation of Christ's righteousness : (as he sheweth through all his considerations,) a thing strangely buried, and darkened by the adversaries, and their great stumbling block. Secondly, the great honour and reverence which he every where bears towards our dear master and lord; concluding every consideration almost with his holy name, and setting his merit forth so piously; for which I do so love him, that were there nothing else, I would print it, that with it the honour of my lord might be published. Thirdly, the many pious rules of ordering our life, about mortification, and observation of God's kingdom within us, and the working thereof; of which he was a very diligent observer. These three things are very eminent in the 6 N. F.] Nicholas Ferrar, see p. 47. author, and overweigh the defects (as I conceive) towards the publishing thereof. From his Parsonage of Bemerton, near To SIR J. D." Sir, Though I had the best wit in the world, yet it would easily tire me, to find out variety of thanks for the diversity of your favours, if I sought to do so; but, I profess it not: and therefore let it be sufficient for me, that the same heart, which you have won long since, is still true to you, and hath nothing else to answer your infinite kindnesses, but a constancy of obedience; only hereafter I will take heed how I propose my desires unto you, since I find you so willing to yield to my requests; for, since your favours come on horseback, there is reason, that my desires should go on foot: neither do I make any question, but that you have performed your kindness to the full, and that the horse is every way fit for me, and I will strive to imitate the completeness of your love, with being in some proportion, and after my manner, Your most obedient servant, GEORGE HERBERT. For my dear sick sister". Most dear Sister, Think not my silence forgetfulness; or, that my love is as dumb as my papers; though businesses may stop my hand, yet my heart, a much better member, is always with you and which is more, with our good and gracious God, incessantly begging some ease of your pains, with that earnestness, that becomes your "The 7 Sir J. D.] Sir John Danvers, step-father to George Herbert. 8 Sick sister.] Elizabeth, the eldest, married to Sir Henry Jones. latter end of her time was the most sickly and miserable that hath been known in our times, while for the space of about fourteen years she languished and pined away to skin and bones, and at last died in London." Life of Lord Herbert of Cherbury, p. 15. griefs, and my love. God who knows and sees this writing, knows also that my soliciting him has been much, and my tears many for you; judge me then by those waters, and not by my ink, and then you shall justly value I dare no longer be silent, least while I think I am modest, I wrong both myself, and also the confidence my friends have in me; wherefore I will open my case unto you, which I think deserves the reading at the least; and it is this, I want books extreamly. You know sir, how I am now setting foot into divinity, to lay the platform of my future life, and shall I then be fain always to borrow books, and build on another's foundation? What tradesman is there who will set up without his tools? Pardon my boldness sir, it is a most serious case, nor can I write coldly in that wherein consisteth the making good of my former education, of obeying that spirit which hath guided me hitherto, and of atchieving my (I dare say) holy ends. This also is aggravated, in that I apprehend what my friends would have been forward to say, if I had taken ill courses, "Follow your book, and you shall want nothing." You know sir, it is their ordinary speech, and now let them make it good; for since I hope I have not deceived their expectation, let not them deceive mine.—But perhaps they will say, "You are sickly, you must not study too hard." It is true (God knows) I am weak, yet not so but that every day I may step one step towards my journey's end; and I love my friends so well, as that if all things proved not well, I had rather the fault should lie on me, than on them.-But they will object again, "What becomes of your annuity?" Sir, if there be any truth in me, I find it little enough to keep me in health. You know I was sick last vacation, neither am I yet 9 Sir.] Sir John Danvers. recovered, so that I am fain ever and anon, to buy somewhat tending towards my health, for infirmities are both painful and costly. Now this Lent I am forbid utterly to eat any fish, so that I am fain to diet in my chamber at mine own cost; for in our public halls, you know, is nothing but fish and whit-meats. Out of Lent also twice a week, on Fridays and Saturdays, I must do so, which yet sometimes I fast. Sometimes also I ride to Newmarket, and there lie a day or two for fresh air; all which tend to avoiding of costlier matters, if I should fall absolutely sick. I protest and vow, I even study thrift, and yet I am scarce able with much ado to make one half year's allowance, shake hands with the other and yet if a book of four or five shillings come in my way, I buy it, though I fast for it; yea, sometimes of ten shillings. But alas sir, what is that to those infinite volumes of divinity, which yet every day swell, and grow bigger. Noble sir, pardon my boldness, and consider but these three things. First, the bulk of divinity. Secondly, the time when I desire this (which is now, when I must lay the foundation of my whole life.) Thirdly, what I desire, and to what end, not vain pleasures, nor to a vain end. If then, sir, there be any course, either by engaging my future annuity, or any other way, I desire you, sir, to be my mediator to them in my behalf. : Now I write to you, sir, because to you I have ever opened my heart; and have reason, by the patents of your perpetual favour to do so still, for I am sure you love March 18, 1617. Trin. Coll. Your faithfullest servant, GEORGE HERBERT. Sir', This week hath loaded me with your favours. I wish I could have come in person to thank you, but it is not possible; presently after Michaelmas, I am to make an oration to the whole university of an hour long in Latin, and my Lincoln journey hath set me much behind hand. Neither can I so much as go to Bugden, and deliver your letter, yet have I sent it thither by a faithful messenger this day. I beseech you all, you and my dear mother and 1 Sir.] Sir John Danvers. |