"evidence and arguments that he can, and so leave it ; "Truth will be justified of her children." He observed also, that, in most points of controversy, men's passions are vehemently engaged, and the disputants generally argue according to their interests: And, therefore, when he saw men impetuous in the assertion of their opinions, and peremptory in the rejection of other men's judgments, he commonly answered such only with silence; not caring to entertain discourse with them, who, instead of a sober and modest inquiry into truth, were addicted to a disingenuous way of disputing; that was his term, which in his sense signified, to be always resolved for the last word; for after he discovered any to be such, he would give them full leave to have the last word, either in speaking or writing, because he would speak or write no more, whatever he thought.

But besides his prudent moderation, there was also to be observed in him that, which by the epigrammatist is made one main ingredient of an happy life, a prudent simplicity, a mixture of what our Saviour, Christ, commends as imitable in the wise serpent and in the harmless dove. He was not so imprudent, as always to utter his mind, or before any company to reveal what new notion or unvulgar truth he had discovered: But he was always so generously honest, so open and single-hearted, as not to speak wickedly for GoD, or talk deceitfully for him; nor would he apply himself to any unwarrantable policies for the promoting or commending of truth to others. Such little crafts, and undue practices, were below the nobleness and integrity of his spirit. To this purpose, we may fitly take occasion here to remember a serious and excellent passage of his: "I cannot believe that "truth can be prejudiced by the discovery of truth; but "I fear, that the maintenance thereof by fallacy or "falsehood may not end with a blessing."

We might also briefly observe another instance of his prudence; and that was as to the choice of the fittest and most seasonable time for communicating truth to others. And indeed, this was a point of prudence, which he would advise should be most carefully considered, as being, in his esteem, half the work: Otherwise some useful notions might, because they were uncommon, be rashly condemned, before they were well considered and understood: And there are none more ready to condemn, than the half-learned and half-witted, (which are not the less numerous nor the less confident sort of men) who steer

not

not (as he observed) by reason, but by another compass, viz. faction, or interest, or affection, &c.

And now having advanced thus far in the description of his attainments, we may not silently or slightly pass over his charity, a grace that was very eminent and conspicuous in him; and of this (not to insist upon the many particulars of it that might be given) we shall select only two general instances, wherein he expressed his charity towards men. And they were, 1. His careful concealing or lessening of others' failings and imperfections. 2. His relieving the necessitous.

He was so exact in the first instance, that he would speak evil of no man; much less would he watch for their halting, as one that rejoiced in iniquity. Nay, at such a distance was he from that evil, but epidemical, humour, that he chose rather to speak well of those, in whom he had only hope for a ground of commendation, Nor did he only conceal and cover the faults of others, even of his enemies; but he would also avoid the company of such as he had observed to please themselves, or thought to tickle ill-minded persons, in passing unworthy censures upon other men. And thus sometimes by silence, sometimes by rebuke, and (when it was convenient) by withdrawing from the place and company, he declared he would have no share in the sin of those who endeavoured to shew their uncharitable wit, in either disparaging the parts or vilifying the performances of others. As for himself, when his own name was concerned, he was signally patient; he knew how to bear personal disrespects with an untroubled spirit, nobly and meekly; and thus (according to that of Siracides) he glorified his soul in meekness.

As he was thus Christianly careful to conceal or lessen the failings and imperfections of others; so he was no less diligent to express his charity in relieving those wants. which could not be concealed. For as to his temper, he was inwardly sympathizing and affected with the tenderest compassions towards others in their straits and difficulties, as feeling in himself their griefs, and resenting their calamities and hardships as his own. And agreeable to this temper was his practice: For, as became him that was so Christianly affected, he forgat not to do good, and to communicate upon all just occasions. And he was more exactly careful to observe all the due seasons and objects of beneficence, because he looked upon charity and alms-giving not as an arbitrary thing,

left

left to men's choice or discretion to be done or omitted, but as a necessary and indispensable duty.

Nor would he be discouraged and taken off from such acts of merciful beneficence by the unworthy returns he sometimes met with from some disobliging persons. Other charities seemed to him but low and easy and common, such as even publicans and sinners (those of the worst note in the world) do perform, who love those that love them, and do good to those who do good to them. But the charity which is extended to all, even to enemies, to those who are contrary to us either in judgment or affection, is the more noble, god-like, extraordinary: And such was our Author's; for were men of different persuasions from him, and at as great distance from one another as from Rome to Geneva or Amsterdam, &c. yet even all these might more or less upon occasion be influenced upon by his charity.

As his charity was thus largely extensive and universal, so it was likewise accompanied with the greatest cheerfulness. He so shewed mercy as one that indeed loved mercy, and by giving cheerfully, he made it appear, that he well remembered that of the apostle, God loveth the cheerful giver. He so gave, as one possessed with the grand importance of that noble maxim of our Saviour, It is more blessed to give than to receive. He gave with a cheerful heart, and with a cheerful eye, as if he sensibly and feelingly knew the deliciousness of that inward joy and satisfaction, which arise from the conscience of doing good, so as to rescue others by a seasonable charity from sorrow and misery.

And therefore our Author, leaving the men of the world, such as do only relish and mind earthly things, to their penurious scantlings, their low and weak degrees of charity, beyond which their niggardness will not suffer them to move; and leaving also the more common and ordinary measure and proportions of beneficence, wherein the better sort think to quit themselves like Christians, and come off fairly and creditably; he chose the more excellent way, and (to the glory of GoD and the honour of the Author's memory be it remembered) he devoted unto GOD, and set apart the tenth of his yearly incomes, for charitable and pious uses. To this his vowing unto GOD so large a free-will-offering, not any vain-glorious humour, but the love of Christ constrained him, and a deep sense of gratitude to almighty Gop for his many and undeserved favours. Nay, so far was he from that

poor

poor design of gaining hereby a thin reward of airy applause from the world, that he studied as much to keep it secret, as the Pharisaic hypocrites contrived to do their alms with noise, and all the pomp and observation imaginable.

There were not a few that wondered at his diffusive charity, considering his incomes were not great: For he had nothing but what his place in the college afforded, no dignity or advantageous preferment abroad. But their wonder might have been lessened, had they either seriously considered the promises of plenty and outward blessings in this life made by GoD peculiarly to this grace of charity; or had they known how great a sum the prudent charitable man is able to lay up for the poor, by a frugal management of a little stock. But our Author knew it well by experience, which is the mother of wisdom; the surest way of knowing for ourselves, and convincing others. And

This his honest thrift and frugality were the more able to administer to his charity, because it was accompanied with a constant temperance. His feeding for the most part was rather to suffice nature, than to allow any pleasure to his appetite, which being usually good, sometimes (though very seldom) he would gratify with making a larger meal; but his ordinary was his college-commons, (to which no man was more constant) with the smaller sort of beer, (the wine which he drank at the communion, being usually more than he drank all the year besides) which made him merrily tell them, who observed the thriving of his body, (which in his latter years was very apparent) that they might see what college-commons could do. Another of his pleasant observations was upon those fellow-commoners, who came to the university only to see it, or to be seen in it: These he called "the university tulips," who made a gaudy shew, and soon disappeared.

And now having spoken of his charity, or love towards men, it aptly falls into this place, that we should observe something of his love towards GOD: Wherein yet we need not be so large as in the former instances; for what we have already observed of his character doth abundantly prove it. His meekness, patience, Christian prudence, and moderation, and those two bright graces of the greatest magnitude, his humility and charity, are pregnant evidences, and real demonstrations of the love of Gop dwelling in him. Where these fruits of the spirit

grow

grow and flourish, it is a sure sign that such a Christian is rooted in love. To be meek and patient, humble and lowly in spirit, to have an heart full of charity, and melted into all compassionate endeavours for the good of others, even of enemies; these are higher and harder things, than to talk of religion, or to say, Lord, Lord; to shew much love with the mouth, or to abound with the external observances of religion; for so did the Pharisees, who therefore by their outward specious profession gained a great reputation of sanctity from the world; but yet of them our Saviour pronounceth freely and smartly, I know you, that ye have not the love of GoD in you. In brief, he testified his love to GOD in that which is the most eminent and genuine expression of it, viz. an entire, sincere, uniform, and constant obedience to his commandments; for, this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: Or (according to those two main characteristics of the pure and undefiled religion) in unspottedness from the world, and charity to the poor and desolate.

of

As to his person, his body was of a comely proportion, rather of a tall than low stature. In his younger years (as he would say) he was but slender and spare body; but afterwards, when he was full grown, he became more fat and portly, yet not to any such excess as diminished, but rather increased, the goodliness of his presence to a comely decorum. His eye was full, quick, and sparkling. His whole countenance was composed to a sedate seriousness and gravity: Majestas et Amor were well met here: an awful majesty, but, withal, an inviting sweetness. His behaviour was friendly and affable, intermixed with a becoming cheerfulness and inoffensive pleasantry. His complexion was a little swarthy, as if somewhat overtinctured with melancholy; which yet rather seemed to serve the design of his studious mind, than to clog it with those infirmities which commonly attend the predominancy of that humour. And as for the whole constitution and temperament of his body, it could not but be observed that his vitals were strong; and yet it was noted of him, that there was an a-symmetry and disproportion in the subservient faculties, as not all duly performing their particular offices in so exact time and measure as ordinary; and yet nature was so faithful in her compensations, that there was no such irregularities in her economy as made him fall short of that chief