For the Life of that great example of holiness, 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 some respect to posterity. 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 lost, if I had not collected and presented them to the imitation of those that shall succeed us; for I humbly conceive writing to be both a safer and truer preserver 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 haste, yet I intended it 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; so that the reader may find in it some mistakes, some double expressions, and some not very proper, and some that might have been contracted, and some faults that are not justly chargeable upon me, but the printer; and yet I hope none so great, as may not by this confession purchase pardon from a good-natured reader. And now I wish, that as that learned Jew, Josephus, and others, so these men had also writ their own Lives; but since it is not the fashion of these times, I wish their relations or friends would do it for them, before delays make it too diffi cult. And I desire this the more, because it is an honor due to the dead, and a generous debt due to those that shall live and succeed us, and would to them prove both a content and satisfaction. For when the next age shall (as this does) admire the learning and clear reason which that excellent casuist, Dr. Sanderson (the late Bishop of Lincoln), hath demonstrated 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 meekness 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 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 persuade to this undertaking, yet I please myself, that I shall conclude my preface with wishing that it were so. J. W. TO MY OLD AND MOST WORTHY FRIEND, MR. IZAAK WALTON, ON HIS LIFE OF DR. DONNE, &c. WHEN, to a nation's loss, the virtuous die, Which though it be the poorest, cheapest way, And these are monuments of so short date, That with their birth they oft receive their fate, Dying with those whom they would celebrate. And though to verse great reverence is due, Something more sacred then, and more entire, This history can give; to which alone Is granted, when denied to brass and stone. Wherein, my friend, you have a hand so sure, Your pen, disdaining to be bribed or prest, A virtue with which few good pens are blest. How happy was my father then,* to see Wotton and Donne, to whom his soul was knit, Where one has fortunately found a place, *The character of Mr. Charles Cotton, the father of Charles Cotton the poet, is most beautifully delineated by the Earl of Clarendon, in his own Life. Ed. 1759. p. 16. + His monument in St. Paul's Church, before the late dreadful fire, 1665. A monument that, as it has, shall last And even in their flowery characters, My father's grave part of your friendship shares; For you have honor'd his in strewing theirs. Thus by an office, though particular, And by this act the world is taught to know, But yours is friendship of so pure a kind, For, whereas most men's friendships here beneath, Do perish with their friends' expiring breath, Yours proves a friendship living after death; By which the generous Wotton, reverend Donne, For though they each of them his time so spent, As raised unto himself a monument, With which Ambition might rest well content; |