it. Let me have it; said the king. So smiling he took it, and carried it to the table. 107. Then first seriously viewing the outside of the book, being bound curiously in purple velvet, and that also most artificially gilt upon the velvet in an extraordinary manner, he said, My lords, the outside thus glorious, what think you will be the inside and matter of it? Then untying the stately string, he opening it read the frontispiece and contents of the book: then turning to my lord of Canterbury, he said, You have given me a right character of the work: truly it passeth what I could have wished, and what I think none but those heads and hands in my kingdom, can do the like again. And so he began to view it leaf by leaf, and turned it all over very diligently, observing the form and contrivement of it. Then looking upon his lords, that had their eyes also fixed upon it, he said, My lords, this, this is a jewel in all respects, to be continually worn on a king's breast, and in his heart. And then he shewed them the fair orderly contrivement of the joint books of Kings and Chronicles, thus united together in one history, as if written, said he, by one man's pen. And so, many words passed about it, between the lords and the king, they extolling it as an excellent piece. Well, said the king, I will not part with this diamond, for all those in my jewel-house. For it is so delightful to me, and I know the virtues of it will pass all the precious stones in the world. It is a most rare crystal glass, and most useful, and needful, and profitable for me and all kings. It shews and represents to the life God's exceeding high and rich mercies to all pious and virtuous kings, and likewise his severe justice to all ill and bad. What then more profitable to us all, or more needful? It shall, I assure you, be my companion in the day time, and the sweetest perfumed bags that can lie under my head in the night. Truly I am very much taken with it at all times; but more, it being thus comprised in a full pleasant history. My lord of Canterbury, I now perceive that these good people at Gidding can do more works in this kind, than this. Let them have my hearty thanks returned. I know they look for none, neither will they receive any reward. let them know, as occasion shall be, I will not forget them and God bless them in their good intentions! And so after some more talk the lords had of Gidding, the king took up the book, and went away with it in his arms. Yet 108. Some while after, doctor Cosins gave notice, that the king, the more he perused both books given him, the more he liked them; and had conference with him about the printing of them, that, as he said, all his people might have the benefit of them. And doctor Cosins told the king, it was a kingly motion, and by his majesty's favour, they should be put out, as at his command, and the latter as done by his directions. 109. N. It is to be known, that these works were so done as if they had been printed the ordi 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 and hoped he would make good use of it, for it was the book of books, &c. use; 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 disposition; and so, 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 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. II4. This third work thus finished, it was upon consultation thought fitting, that it should 1 Jebb, § 73. |