then of Corpus Christi College, to transcribe for him all Mr. Hooker's remaining written papers; many of which were imperfect; for his study had been rifled, or worse used, by Mr. Chark, and another, of principles like to his. But these papers were endeavored to be completed by his dear friend Dr. Spencer, who be queathed them as a precious legacy to my father, after whose death they rested in my hand, till Dr. ABBOT,* then Archbishop of Canterbury, commanded them out of my custody, by authorizing Dr. John Barkeham1 to require, and bring them to him to his palace in Lambeth; at which time, I have heard, they were put into the Bishop's library, and that they remained there till the martyrdom of Archbishop LAUD; and were then, by the brethren of that faction, given, with all the library, to HUGH PETERS," as a reward for his remark i President of Corpus Christi College in Oxford. After the death of Mr. Hooker he published the five books of the Ecclesiastical Polity, with an excellent preface, subscribed 1. S., the initial letters of his name. See WooD's Ath. Ox. Vol. I. p. 393. The character of this prelate, justly to be admired for his truly Christian moderation and mildness, has been most happily portrayed by the pen of the Right Hon. Arthur Onslow, for many years the venerable Speaker of the British House of Commons, in The Life of Dr. GEORGE ABBOT, &c. reprinted with some additions, &c. Guildford, 1777. Chaplain to Archbishop BANCROFT, as well as to his successor, Dr. ABBOT; and Dean of Bocking in Essex: an able divine and an amiable man. To his knowledge in divinity he added other literary accomplishments, being an accurate historian, well skilled in coins and antiquities, and so great a proficient in heraldry, that he is generally supposed to have been the author of that celebrated work, which was published in the name of John Guillim. He was also the editor of CRAKANTHORPE's book against the Archbishop of Spalato, entitled Defensio Ecclesiæ, &c. HUGH PETERS, a man of loose morals, having been expelled in the earlier part of his life from the University of Cambridge, became afterward an itinerant preacher in New England, Holland, and other countries, and was at length appointed one of Oliver Cromwell's Chaplains, and a Colonel in the army. He occasionally preached the lecture at Stepney, and from thence was called by William Greenhill, the noted Independent, "The Evening Star of Stepney." In the pulpit he not unfrequently acted the part of a buffoon or merry-andrew. He used to say, that "it would never be well till 150-the three L's, the Lords, the Levites, and the Lawyers," were put down. He preached divers sermons to persuade the army to destroy the king, whom he compared to Barabbas. It was given in evidence against him, that he was wont to call the king tyrant and fool; and that, on the Sunday after his Majesty was brought to his trial, in the course of his sermon, he uttered able service in those sad times of the Church's confusion. And though they could hardly fall into a fouler hand; yet there wanted not other endeavors to corrupt and make them speak that language for which the faction then fought, which indeed was to subject the sovereign power to the people. But I need not strive to vindicate Mr. Hooker in this particular; his known loyalty to his prince whilst he lived, the sorrow expressed by King James at his death, the value our late sovereign (of ever-blessed memory) put upon his works, and now, the singular character of his worth by you, given in the passages of his Life, especially in your Appendix to it, do sufficiently clear him from that imputation. And I am glad you mention how much value THOMAS STAPLETON, Pope Clement the VIII., and other eminent men of the Romish persuasion, have put upon his books: having been told the same in my youth by persons of worth that have. travelled Italy. Lastly, I must again congratulate this undertaking of yours, as now more proper to you than any other person, by reason of your long knowledge and alliance to the worthy family of the CRANMERS, (my old friends also,) who have been men of noted wisdom, especially Mr. George Cranmer, whose prudence, added to that of Sir Edwin Sandys, proved very useful in the completing of Mr. Hooker's matchless books: one of their letters I herewith send you, to make use of if you think fit. And let me say further; you merit much from many of Mr. Hooker's best friends then living; namely, from these words,-"LORD, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." Such was the man who got possession, not only of the Archbishop's library at Lambeth, but also of the invaluable one which belonged to the King. A commission was granted by Charles II. dated Sept. 10, 1660, to Thomas Ross, tutor to the Duke of Monmouth, and Elias Ashmole, Esquires, empowering them to examine Hugh Peters concerning the books and medals which he was suspected of having embezzled. It was well known that he had ransacked the royal library and closet, and that their most valuable curiosities were taken out, and dispersed over Europe. In his examination (Biogr. Brit. Vol. II. p. 230. K.) he declared, that he gave up the key and custody of them to Major General Ireton. Of his behavior, during his trial and at his execution, see the State Trials. the ever-renowned Archbishop WHITGIFT, of whose incomparable worth, with the character of the times, you have given us a more short and significant account than I have received from any other pen. You have done much for the learned Sir HENRY SAVILE, his contemporary and familiar friend; amongst the surviving monuments of whose learning (give me leave to tell you so) two are omitted; his edition of EUCLID," but especially his translation of KING JAMES's Apology for the Oath of Allegiance, into elegant Latin; which flying in that dress as far as Rome, was by the Pope and Conclave sent to Salamanca unto FRANCISCUS SUAREZ, (then residing there as president of that college,) with a command to answer it. And it is worth noting, that when he had perfected the work which he calls Defensio Fidei Catholicæ, it was transmitted to Rome for a view of the inquisitors; who, according to their custom, blotted out what they pleased, and (as Mr. Hooker hath been used since his death) added whatsoever might advance the Pope's supremacy, or carry on their own interest; commonly coupling together Deponere et Occidere, the deposing, and then killing of princes. Which cruel and unchristian language, Mr. John Saltkel, the amanuensis to SUAREZ, when he wrote that answer, (but since a convert, and living long in my father's house,) often professed the good old man (whose piety and charity Mr. Saltkel magnified much) not only disavowed, but detested. Not to trouble you further; your reader (if, according to your desire, my approbation of your work carries any weight) will here find many just. Or rather his works entitled Prælectiones tredecim in Principium Elementorum EUCLIDIS Oxoniæ Habitæ. Oxon, 1621. 4to. Sir HENRY SAVILE having read thirteen lectures upon the first eight propositions of Euclid, surrendered the chair to Mr. BRIGGS.-WARD'S Professors of Gresham College, p. 121. • A celebrated Jesuit, the author of many controversial and other tracts. He was born in 1548, and died in 1617. His works are contained in 23 volumes, folio. The treatise here alluded to is entitled Defensio Fidei Catholicæ, contra Anglicana Secta Errores, una cum Responsione ad Jac. Regis Apologiam pro Juramento Fidelitatis. Mog. 1619. A copy of this book was burnt in England by public authority. It is related of him, that he met death with the most joyful tranquillity and composure of mind, uttering these words, "Non putabam tam dulce, tam suave esse mori." Dictionarie Historique, &c. à Paris, 1777. |