a thought of any fitness in me to undertake it but when he had twice enjoined me to it, I then declined my own, and trufted his judgment, and submitted to his commands; concluding, that, if I did not, I could not forbear accufing myself of difobedience, and indeed of ingratitude for his many favours. Thus I became engaged into the third Life.

For the Life of that great example of holinefs, Mr. George Herbert, I profess it to be so far a free-will offering, that it was writ chiefly to please myself; but yet not without fome refpect to pofterity: for though he was not a man that the next age can forget; yet many of his particular acts and virtues might have been neglected, or loft, if I had not collected and presented them to the imitation of those that fhall fucceed us; for I humbly conceive writing to be both a safer and truer preferver of men's virtuous actions than tradition, especially as it is managed in this age. And I am also to tell the reader, that though this Life of Mr. Herbert was not by me writ in hafte, yet I intended it a review,

a review, before it should be made public: but that was not allowed me, by reason of my absence from London when it was printing: fo that the reader may find in it fome mistakes, fome double expreffions, and fome not very proper, and some that might have been contracted, and fome faults that are not juftly chargeable upon me, but the printer; and yet I hope none fo great, as may not by this confeffion purchase pardon from a good-natured reader.

And now I wish that as that learned Jew, Jofephus, and others, fo these men had also writ their own lives: but fince it is not the fashion of thefe times, I wish their relations or friends would do it for them, before delays make it too difficult. And I defire this the more, because it is an honour due to the dead, and a generous debt due to thofe that fhall live, and fucceed us, and would to them prove both a content and fatisfaction. For when the next

age fhall (as this does) admire the learning and clear reason which that excellent cafuift, Doctor Sanderfon, (the late Bishop

of

of Lincoln,) hath demonftrated in his Sermons and other writings; who, if they love virtue, would not rejoice to know that this good man was as remarkable for the meeknefs and innocence of his life, as for his great and useful learning; and indeed as remarkable for his fortitude in his long and patient suffering (under them that then called themselves the godly party) for that doctrine, which he had preached and printed in the happy days of the nation's and the Church's peace? And who would not be content to have the like account of Dr. Field, that great schoolman, and others of noted learning? And though I cannot hope that my example or reason can perfuade to this undertaking, yet I please myself, that I shall conclude my Preface with wishing that it were fo.

J. W.

THE COPY OF A LETTER WRIT TO

MR. IZAAK WALTON,

BY

DR. KING,

LORD BISHOP OF CHICHESTER.

HONEST IZAAK,

THOUGH a familiarity of more than forty years continuance, and the conftant experience of your love, even in the worst of the late fad times, be fufficient to endear our friendfhip; yet I must confefs my affection much improved, not only by evidences of private respect to many that know and love you, but by your new demonstration of a public fpirit, teftified in a diligent, true, and ufeful collection of so many material paffages as you have now afforded me in the Life of venerable Mr. Hooker; of which, fince defired by fuch a friend as yourself, I shall not deny to give the testimony of what I know concerning him and his

learned