nary way; as most that saw them did think so. But it was in another kind done; though all was printed indeed, and not written, as some may conceive at the reading of the titles of the books. IIO. 3. The third work was occasioned and effected upon a letter sent to Gidding from a person of honour, that the prince, having seen the king his father's book, that was first of all presented him of the Concordance of the Four Evangelists, &c., would have fain begged it of the king; but he told him, he might not part with that rich jewel, for he daily made use of it; but if he desired one, he made no question, but the same heart and hands that framed his, would fit him also with one for his use; and hoped he would make good use of it, for it was the book of books, &c. III. Upon the intimation given of the prince's desire, though Mr. Nicholas Ferrar, senior, was then with God, yet his young nephew, that bare his name, whom his uncle entirely loved (not permitting him to be anywhere brought up but at Gidding, and under his own eye), having seen all the former works done in the house; his beloved kinswomen, that were the handy-work-mistresses of the former, were also most willing to lay to their helping assistances; so the young youth, having attained to the knowledge of many languages (as you shall hear hereafter, being a study that his wise, judicious uncle, Nicholas Ferrar, had put him upon, finding him every way fitted naturally for such knowledge), they laying their heads together, thought a concordance of four several languages would be most useful, and beneficial, and pleasant to the young prince's disposition; and so, in the name of God, after all materials were provided and ready, they uniting their heads and hands lovingly together, setting apart so many hours in the forenoons, and so many in the afternoons, as their other exercises and occasions permitted, constantly met in a long fair spacious room, which they named the concordance chamber, wherein were large tables round the sides of the walls, placed for their better conveniency and contrivement of their works of this and the like kind; and therein also were placed two very large and great presses, which were turned with iron bars, for the effecting of their designs. 112. And now we are in the concordance room, (which was all coloured over with green pleasant colour varnished, for the more pleasure to their eyes, and a chimney in it for more warmth, as occasion served), let me here relate, that each person of the family, and some other good friends of their kindred, gave each their sentence, which should be written round the upper part of the walls of the room; that so when they entered the chamber, or at any time looked up from the walls, these sentences presented themselves to their eyes. As you entered in at the door into the room, over your head at that end was written that sentence of scripture', that their uncle, of blessed memory, did frequently use upon several occasions. 113. At the upper end was written high upon the wall: Glory be to God on high, Peace on earth, good will toward men. Prosper Thou, O Lord, the work of our hands. And under it (on each side of that upper window), on the one side was written: Thou art too delicate, O brother, if thou desirest to reign both here with the world, and hereafter to reign with Christ in heaven. And on the other side of the window: Innocency is never better lodged than at the sign of Labour. And then on both sides of the walls there are written: Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty. Open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. He that spendeth his time Seest thou a man diligent in his business, he shall stand before kings. The industrious man hath no leisure to sin; and the idle man hath no power to avoid sin. I14. This third work thus finished, it was upon consultation thought fitting, that it should 1 Jebb, § 73. not go single and alone, but to stay awhile till Nicholas Ferrar, junior, had finished and ordered four other pieces of works, being businesses of many and several languages, and the titles of them are those four succeeding frontispieces, that follow one after the other, as you have seen: the Four Evangelists, in such and such languages as is there described, written by his own hand, and so composed by his head and industry. 115. All these five pieces, that one for the prince, and four for the king, being all made ready, they were carried up to London; but in the way they went by Cambridge, and there were shewed to some eminent persons, a bishop then present there, and other learned scholars (and before that time also to the bishop of Peterborough, and other doctors, that there had sight of them). All these learned men gave their approbation to the works, and no small commendation, as well as admiration, that they were so contrived and ordered, for substance and form, by one of those tender years. 116. Nicholas Ferrar coming to London, as he had directions, addressed himself to my lord of Canterbury, from him to receive orders how to proceed. Who when he saw the young man, and was informed of his errand, by those that conducted him to his presence, the young man kneeling down, craving his blessing, and kissing his hand, my lord embraced him very lovingly, took him up, and after some salutes, he desired a sight of the books; which when he had well seen and perused, he very highly commended them in every particular, and said, These truly are jewels only for princes: and your printed one will greatly take the prince, to whom I perceive you intend it. So will the other four pieces be no less acceptable to the king himself; and so all things, the form, the matter, the writing, will make the king admire them, I know. And, said he, but that my eyes see the things, I should hardly have given credit to my ears, from any relation made of them by another. But, said he, I now find, great is education, when it meets with answerable ability, and had its directions from so eminent a man, as that counsellor was, that gave the hints and rise to all these contrivements before his death. And after much discourse he gave Nicholas Ferrar leave to depart; and gave directions that next day in the afternoon, being Maundy Thursday, Nicholas Ferrar should be in such a room at White Hall. 117. The bishop came at the time he had appointed to that room, where he found Nicholas Ferrar and others waiting his leisure. And they perceived he came out of another room where the king then was. Come, said he, in God's name, follow me, where I go; and led them into a room, where the king stood by the fire, with many nobles attending him. When the king saw the archbishop enter the room, he said, What, have you brought with you those rarities and jewels you told me of? Yea, sire, replied the bishop, here is the young gentleman, and his works. So the bishop taking |