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 con- ( ducted 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

him by the hand, led him up to the king. He falling down on his knees, the king gave him his hand to kiss, bidding him rise up. The box was opened; and Nicholas Ferrar first presented to the king that book made for the prince: who taking it from him, looking well on the outside, which was all green velvet, stately and richly gilt all over, with great broad strings, edged with gold lace, and curiously bound, said, Here is a fine book for Charles indeed! I hope it will soon make him in love with what is within it: for I know it is good. So opening it, and with much pleasure perusing it, he said merrily to the lords, What think you of it? For my part, I like it in all respects exceeding well; and find Charles will here have a double benefit by the well contrivement of it, not only obtain by the daily reading in it a full information of our blessed Saviour's life, doctrine, and actions, (the chief foundation of Christian religion;) but the knowledge of four languages. A couple of better things a prince cannot desire, nor the world recommend unto him. And lo! here are also store of rare pictures to delight his eye with.

118. Then Nicholas Ferrar, the king looking upon him, bowing himself to the ground, said, May it please your sacred majesty, this work was undertaken upon the prince's command. But I dared not present it to him, till it had your majesty's approbation and allowance. Why so? said the king; it is an excellent thing for him, and will do him much good. Sir, said Nicholas Ferrar, my

learned and religious wise uncle, under whose wings I was covered and had my education from my youth, gave me amongst other rules, this one; that I should never give anything, though never so good or fitting, to any person whatever, that had a superior over him, without his consent and approbation first obtained: as nothing to a son, to a wife, to a servant: for he said it was not seemly nor comely so to do. Whereupon, sir, I have by the favour of my lord of Canterbury's grace come to present this piece unto your majesty's view, and to beg your good leave to carry it to the prince. The king with attention heard all, and turning him to the lords, said, You all hear this wise counsel, and you all see the practice of it. I do assure you, it doth wonderfully please me. I like the rule well: and it is worthy of all our practice. And now you see we all have gained by the sight of this rich jewel a third good thing. Then turning him to the lord of Canterbury, he said, Let this young gentleman have your letters to the prince to-morrow, to Richmond, and let him carry this present. It is a good day you know, and a good work would be done upon it. So he gave Nicholas Ferrar the book: who carrying it to the box, took out of it a very large paper book, which was the fourth work, and laid it on the table before the king. For whom, said the king, is this model? For your majesty's eyes, if you please to honour it so much. And that I will gladly do, said the king, and never be weary of such sights, as I know you will offer unto me.

119. The king having well perused the title page, beginning, The Gospel of our Lord and Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ, in eight several languages, &c. said unto the lords, You all see, that one good thing produceth another. Here we have more and more rarities, from print now to pen. These are fair hands well written, and as well composed. Then replied the lord of Canterbury, When your majesty hath seen all, you will have more and more cause to admire. What! said the king, is it possible we shall behold yet more rarities? Then, said the bishop to Nicholas Ferrar, reach the other piece that is in the box: and this we call the fifth work, the title being, Novum Testamentum &c. in viginti quatuor linguis, &c. The king opening the book said, Better and better. This is the largest and fairest paper that ever I saw. Then, reading the title page, he said, What is this? What have we here? The incomparablest book this will be, as ever eye beheld. My lords, come, look well upon it. This finished must be the emperor of all books. It is the crown of all works. It is an admirable masterpiece. The world cannot match it. I believe you are all of my opinion. The lords all seconded the king, and each spake his mind of it. I observe two things amongst others, said the king, very remarkable, if not admirable. The first is, how it is possible, that a young man of twenty-one years of age, (for he had asked the lord of Canterbury before, how old Nicholas Ferrar was) should ever attain to the understanding and knowledge of more languages,