up in his bed, gave God hearty thanks, and called for pen, ink, and paper. So this ensuing writing shews his mind more at large, viz.

"November 28th, 1637. I. H. S. In the name of God, Amen.

"Inasmuch as all the comedies, tragedies, pastorals, &c. and all those they call heroical poems, none excepted; and likewise all the books of tales, which they call novels, and all feigned histories written in prose, all love-hymns, and all the like books are full of idolatry, and especially tend to the overthrow of Christian religion, undermining the very foundations thereof, and corrupt and pollute the minds of the readers with filthy lusts, as, woe is me, I have proved in myself:-in this regard therefore, to shew my detestation of them to the world, and that all others may take warning, I have burned all of them', and most humbly have, and do beseech God, to forgive me all my misspent time in them, and all the sins that they have caused in me, which surely, but for His infinite grace, had carried my soul down into hell long ere this. And I profess to be of Mr. Galliatius his opinion, that

1 Sir Samuel Morland "had newly buried £200 worth of music books 6 feet under ground, being, as he said, love songs and vanity."-Evelyn's Diary, Oct. 25, 1695.

2 Perhaps Galeazzo Caraccioli, whose life was translated into Latin by Beza, and into English by William Crashaw father of the poet. In this life however there is no mention of the saying in the text.

the having an Orlando in the house is sufficient ground to have burnt it down over their heads, that truly fear God. I beseech all that truly fear God, that love Jesus Christ, to consider these things well. Amen, Amen, Amen."

57. Nicholas Ferrar, fearing and foreseeing the ill times to come', about a year before he died, which was anno 1637, the tenants to the lordship that dwelt round about Little Gidding (for they had none but their own family that lived in Gidding, being a lone house) consisting all of pasture-grounds, desired to have new leases for fifteen years at the old rent. His brother John Ferrar was against it, saying to his brother, that the rent was a hundred marks per an. under foot, by all other land about them, and that that time was much too long to let leases at in that case. Nicholas Ferrar takes his brother aside, saying, Content yourself, I pray, let the men have ten years' time, and a good pennyworth, that so they may be willing to pay you honestly at your days of payment. For I tell you, that before those times come out, you will see other days, and think yourselves happy that you may receive, and they pay you, that rent in quiet. pray you be content: and so turning to the tenants, told them, they should have leases for ten years, and good pennyworths, that would be time long

I

1 See Andrewes's remarkable prediction in Hearne's Lang

toft, ccxiii, also printed in Wren's Parentalia.

2 Barnabas Oley says seven (Life of Herbert, cii).

enough, for he doubted troublesome times were coming on, they might all have cause to thank God, if they could enjoy things in quiet so long, which he doubted.

58. And this must not be forgotten, that not long after, before Nicholas Ferrar died, he being in London went to the Tower' to visit the bishop of Lincoln his diocesan, and he told him, he came to take his leave of him and last farewell. The bishop and he fell into much discourse of past and present things, and after a long time spent, craving leave to depart, he begged his blessing and came away. His brother John Ferrar, some time after his brother's death, going to London, went also to visit the bishop in the Tower, who after he had much condoled with him N. F.'s death, and asked many questions about his sickness and departure, at the end of all said, Your brother at his parting made me much to wonder, for he said unto me, I should come out of this place, and rise to greater dignity, but the times would be dangerous. I thought, said the bishop, when he was gone, the more upon them, as from a dying man's words, and of another world, for so

1 Hacket (ii. 126 seq.) tells us that the bishop's friends were generally allowed access to him. "He kept honourable hospitality in the Tower, and maintained a table furnisht for the noon meal... with as much plenty and decorum as any of the prelates kept, that had all their rents and incomes to themselves; and yet this little solace, to draw friends about him, was repined at by the archbishop."-Ibid. 128. See ibid. 110 seq. the grounds on which he was committed.

2 On the belief that dying men have the gift of prophecy,

he seemed to me, and I feared I never should see him again. What God will do, I know not, &c. And the bishop demanded of the family's welfare, and said, I have now well studied the case of your virgin nieces, your brother's great care, and I am armed to maintain their good resolutions, which God keep them in.

59. Let me give you another taste of Mr. Ferrar's foresight of the times to come, which may properly come into this place, to be joined with the former passages: and it is this. Some days before he took his bed, being then, as he said, assured that he should die and leave this world for a better ere it was long, he took his brother John Ferrar by the hand, walking in their great parlour, and then and to this effect he spake. My dear brother, I am now shortly to appear before my good Lord God, to Whom I must give account of what I have said and taught you all of this family in the ways and service of God. I have, I tell you, delivered unto you all nothing but what is agreeable to His holy law, will, and word, how you should love Him, serve

Davies (on Cic. De Divin. i. §§ 64, 65) and Barth (on Stat. Theb. vii. 701) have cited Cic. ib. § 47, Hom. Il. xxii. 358, Sext. Empir. Adv. Math. ix. §§ 20, 21, Diodor. Sic. xviii. 1, Lutat. ad Stat. 1. c. Eustath. in l. 1089. 60, Aretæus De caus. acut. morb. ii. 4, Plat. Apol. 39 C. See too Xen. Apol. § 30, and Notes and Queries, ii. 116, 196, 435, Comment. on Plat. Phad. 84 E, Greg. Magni Dial. iv. 26, 35, 41, 47, Bed. H. E. iv. 8 and 29, Barnard's Life of Heylin, §§ 107, III. See in Hacket, ii. 137, the bishop's prediction of the coming storm.

Him, and have shewed you the right and good way, that leadeth to life everlasting; what you ought to believe, what to do and practise, according to those abilities as God shall give each of you, and places he shall call you unto. It is the right, good, old way you are in: keep in it. God will be worshiped in spirit and truth, in soul and in body, he will have both inward love and fear, and outward reverence of body and gesture. You, I say, know the way: keep in it; I will not use more words, you had lessons enow given you: be constant to them. I now tell you, that you may be forewarned and prepare for it, there will be sad times come, and very sad; you will live to see them, but be courageous, and hold you fast to God with humility and patience, rely upon His mercy and power; you will suffer much, but God will help you; and you will be sifted, and endeavour will be made to turn you out of the right way, the good way you are in, even by those, whom you least think of, and your troubles will be many; but be you stedfast, and call upon God, and He in His good and due time will help you. Keep on your daily prayers, and let all be done in sincerity, setting God always before your eyes. And he weeping said, grasping his brother by the hand, Ah, my brother, my brother, I pity you, I pity your case and what you may live to see, even great alterations. God will bring punishments upon this land, but, I trust, not to the utter ruin of it, but in judgement he will remember mercy, and will yet spare this sinful and unthankful land and nation. And he sighed