"I loved you for your Synagogue, before from these facts there cannot be any doubt that the work is assigned to its true author. Another work, probably by Ch. Harvie, is entitled "Schola Cordis; or the Heart of itselfe gone away from God; brought back againe to him; and instructed by him, in 47 emblems, London, printed for H. Blunden, at the Castle in Cornhill, 1647, 12mo. pp. 196.* In the edition of 1675 it is stated, that they were "written by the Author of the Synagogue' annexed to Herbert's Poems;" if so, this volume must be also ascribed to Christopher Harvey; it should, however, be observed, that it has been reprinted two or three times, within the last half century, and ascribed to Francis Quarles, but erroneously. The only Christopher Harvey that can be traced in both universities, and who probably was our author, is the one mentioned by Anthony Wood, who says 'that he was a minister's son of Cheshire, was born in that county, became a battler of Brazen-Nose College, in 1613, aged sixteen years, took the degrees in Arts,† that of Master being. completed in 1620, holy orders, and at length was * The second edition was printed in 1674; third in 1675; fourth, 1676; the emblems were taken from a work by Benedictus Haeftenus, entitled "Schola Cordis sive aversi a deo cordis ad eundem reductio et instructio, Antv. 1635." + B. A. 19th May, 1617; M. A. 10th May, 1620. made vicar of Clifton in Warwickshire.* His works are these :' Ι. ΑΦΗΝΙΑΣΤΗΣ: or, the Right Rebel, a Treatise discovering the true Use of the Name by the Nature of Rebellion, with the Properties and Practices of Rebels. Appliable to all, both old and new Phanatics, by Christopher Harvey, Vicar of Clifton, in the county of Warwick. Lond. Printed for R. Royston, Bookseller to his sacred Majesty, 1661, oct. p. 176, besides title, dedication, and preface, eight leaves.t 11. Faction supplanted: or, a Caveat against the ecclesiastical and secular Rebels, in two Parts. 1. A discourse concerning the Nature, Properties, and Practices of Rebels. 2. Against the Inconstancy and inconsistent Contrariety of the same Pretensions and Practices, Principles and Doctrines. Lond. 1663, oct. "pen'd mostly in 1642, and finished 3 Ap. 1645. This book, I suppose (for I have not seen it, or the other,) is the same with the former, only a new title put to it, to make it yend the better. Another book goes under his name, called Conditions of Christianity, printed at Lond. in tw. but that, or any other besides, I have not yet seen." A. Wood, Athena Oxon. ed. Bliss, v. 3, p. 538. III. An edition of The Churches Exercise under Affliction or an exposition of the LXXXV Psalm, *By the kindness of the Rev. J. H. C. Moor, the present rector of Rugby, the following additional particulars of Christopher Harvey have been obtained. He was instituted November 14, 1639. On the 12th of June, 1642, were baptized Bridget and Mary, the daughters of Christopher Harvey, clerk, and Margaret, his wife. In September 24, 1643, a son, named Whitney, was baptized, who was buried Oct. 11, in the same year, (he appears to have been named after the patron of the living of Clifton, Sir Robert Whitney, knt. of Whitney, Herefordshire,) another son, named Thomas, was baptized Feb. 22, 1645; and on the 4th of April, 1663, was "buried Mr. Christopher Harvey, vicar of Clifton." + Dedicated to the Hon. Sir Geoffery Palmer, knt. and bart. In the preface the author states that it was finished April 3, 1645, and the postscript added March 11, 1660. by Mr. Thomas Pierson, late Rectour of Brompton Brian, in the county of Hereford. London, printed for Philemon Stephens, at the Gilded Lyon in Paul's Church-yard, 1647, with a dedication by Ch. Harvey to his honoured patron, Sir Robert Whitney, knight, and a postscript to the Christian Reader.* IV. An edition of The Great Charter of the Church. Contayning a Catalogue of gracious priviledges granted unto it by the King of Heaven or an exposition of the LXXXVII Psalm. By Mr. Thomas Pierson, &c. as before, with a dedication by Ch. Harvey, to Lady Anne Whitney. v. An edition of Excellent encouragements against afflictions; or Expositions of four select Psalmes: the XXVII, LXXXIV, LXXXV, and LXXXVII, containing, 1. David's triumph over distresse. 2. David's heart's desire. 3. The Churches exercise under affliction. By the learned and laborious, faithfull and prudent * In the dedication of this work, Ch. Harvey says“And having long agoe put on almost an obstinate resolution never to send mine own name to the presse (except it be, as now I do, to bring to light another man's labour)." This expression tends to shew that he was the writer of other works, but to which he did not affix his name. + The second edition of " The Synagogue" was " printed by J. L. for Philemon Stephens, at the gilded Lion in Paul's Church-yard, 1647," who was the publisher of the three last-mentioned works edited by Christopher Harvey, from which fact, there can be but little doubt that all the foregoing works are by the same author or editor. TO MY REVEREND FRIEND, THE AUTHOR OF THE SYNAGOGUE. SIR, I LOVED you for your Synagogue, before 1 knew your person; but now love you more; Because I find It is so true a picture of your mind: Which tunes your sacred lyre To that eternal quire, Where holy Herbert sits (O shame to profane wits!) And sings his and your Anthems, to the praise These holy Hymns had an Ethereal birth ; Free from the world's anxieties and fear. Herbert and you have power I read you kills a sin, Or lets a virtue in To fight against it; and the Holy Ghost This holy war, taught by your happy pen, Neglect our arms, When we poor men We are circumvested with a world of harms. But I will watch, and ward, And stand upon my guard, And still consult with you My vows, and say, Well fare his, and your heart, The fountains of such sacred wit and art. IZAAK WALTON. TO THE AUTHOR. He that doth imitate must comprehend; O glory of the time! best English Singer, Counsellor of Law. TO HIS INGENIOUS FRIEND, THE AUTHOR OF THE SYNAGOGUE, UPON HIS ADDITIONAL CHURCH-UTENSILS. SIR, So the cheap touch-stone's bold To question the more noble gold; Put forth my blushing hand To try these raptures, sent to my poor test: That once conceived, the other is confest. But, Sir, now they are here, For to prevent a female jeer, Thus much affirm I do, They're like the father too; And you like him whose sublime paths you tread, Herbert! to be like whom, who'd not be dead? Herbert! whom when I read, I stoop at stars that shine below my head. |