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London, PabHslie a liy Kicliai-A Pripstlejr.ie26. 



THE 



LIFE 



OF 

THE RIGHT REV. JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

LORD BISHOr OF DOWxV, CONNOR, AND DROMORE; 
WITH 

A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF HIS WRITINGS. 

BY THE 

RIGHT REV. REGINALD HEBER, D.D. 

LATE LORD BISHOP OF CALCUTTA. 



THIRD EDITION. 



LONDON: 

PRIXTKD FOB C. AND J. RIVINGTON j T. CADELL J LONGMAN^ REES^ 
ORME, BROWN, AND GREEN 3 J. BOOKER J J. RICHARDSON J 
HATCHARD AND SON J J. BOHN j J. DUNCAN J J. COCHRAN 3 J. 
PARKER, OXFORD ; J. AND J. J. DEIGHTON, CAMBRIDGE ', AND W. 
STRONG, BRISTOL. 

1828. 



LONDON : 

PRIVTED BY THOMAS DAVISOX, WHIT ET RI ARS. 



ADVERTISEMENT 



FIRST EDITION. 



The unprecedented sale of the late and only complete Edition of 
Bishop Taylor's Works, and the consequent revival of the popularity 
of that eminent Writer, are circumstances highly encouraging to the 
spirit of literary enterprise. 

Such patronage has induced the Publishers to comply with a wish, 
voy generally expressed, for a separate publication of the LIFE, written 
by Dr. Heber, now Lord Bishop of Calcutta — a Production not 
more distinguished by biographical research and discrimination, than by 
that elegant tone of religious and moral feeling ivhich pervades the whole. 

Li Justice, however, to the Right Reverend Author, it becomes 
the duty of the Publishers to inform the Public, that in consequence 
of his Lordship's early departure to India, the intention of a separate 
publication of the Life could not be communicated to him. It is there- 
fore a literal reprint, but with the addition of an Index, which may be 
considered as indispensable in a work ivhere the characters and writings 
of so many contemporaries pass in review. 



ERRATUM. 
Vol. i. p. 245, note, /or {QQ.) read (RR.) 



THE 

LIFE 

OF 

JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D, 

ETC. ETC. 



The life of a student is passed within a narrow circle; and 
of the men whose writings are most widely read and admired, 
the personal history is often enveloped in the deepest ob- 
scurity. Nor even of those individuals, whom the zeal of 
their friends, or the malice of their enemies, have enabled or 
compelled to act a more conspicuous part on the theatre 
of contemporary distinction, have the lives been often 
diversified with many singular events, with great deliver- 
ances, or surprising vicissitudes. Their days have been 
quietly busied in producing those effects which only have 
made their histories worth inquiring after, — effects for 
which it was necessary that their habits should be retired 
and uniform. Nor can we wonder, therefore, that whoever 
undertakes the biography of a scholar or a theologian, has 
ordinarily but little to relate which is certain, and less which 
is interesting or extraordinary. 

In some respects, indeed, the fate of Jeremy Taylor 
was distinguished from the general lot of men of letters. 
So far from his life being retired or monotonous, he seems 
to have passed much of it in a crowd ; and it is one of the 
circumstances which lead us most to wonder at the fertility 
and force of his genius, not only that, in so few years, he 
wrote so many books, but that these books were, many of 
them, composed under circumstances the least favourable to 
research or abstraction. 



2 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

It was his fortune, at an early age, to attract the notice 
of those whose patronage, however favourable to his interests 
or his renown, had a natural tendency to withdraw him from 
the usual scenes of literary or parochial labour. He was 
favoured by Laud in the zenith of his power, and trusted 
by king Charles, when he had become the more venerable 
from adversity- During the usurpation, though esteemed 
and pitied even by his enemies, he was destined to encounter 
a more than usual share of confiscation and imprisonment ; 
and, at the restoration of the royal family, and while yet in 
the full vigour of his years and his abilities, he was raised 
to the highest honours which lie within the compass of his 
profession. But, during the calamities which agitated an 
empire, the escapes and sufferings of a private individual 
were too insignificant to attract much contemporary fame ; 
and Taylor's sufferings w^ere of the kind which, by impo- 
verishing their victim, removes him still more from the 
notice and knowledge of the world. His subsequent pro- 
motion, though it fixed him in the country where he had 
found his best asylum, was, in itself, a banishment from the 
society of public men and the theatre of national politics ; 
and his latter days were spent in the alternate and unob- 
trusive labours of the pulpit and the closet, in preparing 
himself and others for that heaven, w^hither his desires had 
been from his earhest years directed. 

It will not, then, be expected, that, after the lapse of 
almost two centuries, I shall have been able to supply many 
interesting details of a life thus spent and thus concluded, or 
that many miportant gleanings remain, which had escaped 
the almost contemporary inquiries of Wood, or the accurate 
industiy and zealous researches of Mr. Bonney. Yet the 
time is not long passed, since unusually abundant stores of 
information existed, and since those stores were in the pos- 
session of a person eminently qualified to employ them to the 
best nd vantage. The late William Todd Jones, of Homra, in 
the county of Down, esquire, Taylor's lineal descendant in 
the fifth degree, and who inlierited no small portion of his 
talents and characteristic eloquence, was employed, at one 
period of his life, in collecting and arranging materials for 
the biography of his distinguished ancestor. Mr. Jones 
possessed, among many other interesting documents, a 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAVl.OH, D.I). 3 

series of autograph letters to and from the Ijishop ; and 
a " lamily-book," also in his own hand-writino-, giving an 
account of his parentage and the principal events of his 
life, with comments on many of the ]jublic transactions in 
which he himself, or those connected with him, had borne 
a share. 

But, in the ardour of Mr. Jones's political pursuits, and 
the frequent pecuniary embarrassments to which those ])ur- 
suits exposed him, his biographical labours appear to have 
been often interrupted ; and his sudden death, by the over- 
turn of a carriage in the year 1818, cut short all the hopes 
which his talents and his materials justified. The greater 
part of his family papers he had, on the sale of Homra to 
the marquess of Downshire, deposited at Montalto, under 
the care of the late John, earl of Moira. Their subsequent 
fate has, unfortunately, not been ascertained. At Donning- 
ton, whither all the papers found at Montalto are said to 
have been transferred, no traces of them remain ; and there 
appears but too much reason to apprehend that they were 
consumed, together with some other packages belonging to 
the marquess of Hastings, in the fire which destroyed the 
London Custom-house. All which the family yet retain, 
consists of some extracts made by Mr, Jones from these 
documents with a view to his intended work ; the mar- 
riage settlement of Taylor's youngest daughter ; and some 
traditions respecting himself and his descendants, wdiich 
have been liberally communicated to me by Mr. Jones's 
sisters, Mrs. Wray, and Mrs INIary Jones. 

Small as these remains are, the few facts which they 
disclose are, perhaps, among the most interesting hitherto 
recovered concerning bishop Taylor's private concerns. 
From other quarters, indeed, very little was to be gathered 
which was new, but I have not knowingly neglected any. 
The Rev. Mr. Bonney, with a kindness to which I am deeply 
indebted, and which I had the less reason to expect, as I w^as 
personally unknown to him, has permitted me to make use 
of an interleaved copy of his able and interesting Life of 
Taylor, enriched with many valuable manuscript notes and 
references. To the active and judicious friendship of the 
Honourable and Reverend J. C. Talbot, I am indebted, not 
only for my introduction to bishop Taylor's descendants in 



4 LIFE OF JFJIEMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

Ireland, but for whatever other gleanhigs of information or 
tradition respecting him remained in that kingdom. The 
archives of All Souls were examined by the kindness of the 
bishop of Oxford, and my friend, Clement Cartwright, Esq. : 
and the publishers of this edition have been enabled to 
procure for me, from the Evelyn Papers, the British Museum, 
and otlier sources, seventeen manuscript letters of Taylor, 
fourteen of which are now first printed. But it cannot be 
concealed, that, notwithstanding these advantages, I have 
still to lament the scantiness and imperfection of my mate- 
rials ; and that in this, as in most other instances, the 
biography of an author must consist in the account of his 
writings rather than his actions or adventures. 

Jekemy, third son of Nathaniel and Mary Taylor^, was 
born in Trinity parish, Cambridge, and baptized on the 
15th of August, 1613. His father was a barber; an occu- 
pation which, united, as it generally w^as, with the practice 
of surgery and pharmacy, was, in the days of our ancestors, 
somewhat less humble than at present, but which was at no 
time likely to raise its professor or his children to wealth or 
eminence. The family, however, had originally held a re- 
sjjectable rank among the smaller gentry of Gloucestershire, 
where they had possessed, for many generations, an estate 
in the Y>arish of Frampton on Severn ; and Nathaniel was 
the lineal descendant of Dr. Rowland Taylor, rector of Had.- 
leigh, in the county of Suffolk, and chaplain to archbishop 
Cranmer'\ 

Of Rowdand Taylor, neither the name nor the misfortunes 
are obscure. He was distinouished amono; the divines of the 
Reformation for his abilities, his learning, and piety ; and he 
suffered death at the stake on Aldham Common, near Had- 
leigh, in the third year of queen Mary, amid the blessings 
and lamentations of his parishioners, and with a courageous 
and kindly cheerfulness, which has scarcely its parallel even 
in those days of religious heroism. 

Dr. Taylor was of sufficient consequence, as an advocate 
of the new relig^ion, to have excited aoainst himself, without 
any additional or private motives, the fiercest hostility of the 

» See Note (A). 

^ Letter from Lady "\Vray to William Todd, Esq. of Castlemartin, dated 
.'May 31, 1732, quoted in tlie I\LS. of ]\Ir. Tmld Jones. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 5 

Romish prelates. We are told, however, that Gardiner, by 
whose warrant, as lord chancellor, he was first apprehended, 
was stimulated in this instance by feelings of" avarice, as 
well as bigotry ; that he was desirous of appropriating to 
himself the family estate at Frampton; tliat, I know not on 
what pretence, he succeeded in his object after Dr. Taylor's 
death, and that he had begun to build a mansion on the 
property, which, at his own decease, he left unfinished. 

The family of the martyr were thus reduced to poverty, 
from which they had the less prospect of emerging by any 
help or favour of government, inasmuch as, in common with 
many of those who had most severely felt the iron hand of 
the Romish hierarchy, they were suspected, during the reigns 
of Elizabeth and James the First, of an inclination to the 
rising sect of the Puritans. Yet their poverty cannot have 
been excessive, since we find Nathaniel Taylor serving as 
churchwarden ; an office which, in most parishes, is filled 
by the wealthiest and most respectable in the middle ranks 
of life. And it may be mentioned to their honour, that, 
after two generations of comparative distress, the father of 
Jeremy Taylor was spoken of by his son, in a letter to his 
old tutor, Bachcroft, as " reasonably learned," and as having 
himself *' solely grounded his children in grammar and the 
mathematics''." 

I have already taken notice of the unfortunate loss of 
the documents on which this account chiefly depends. For 
the fact of their having once existed, the authority of Mr. 
Jones is sufficient ; and though the testimony of Lady Wray 
is exposed to that degree of doubt which almost always 
attaches to family tradition, it is as satisfactory a voucher 
as could be looked for under similar circumstances, and 
more than sufficient to obtain belief for an account which, 
in itself, is far from improbable. That Jeremy Taylor had, 
indeed, some pretensions to gentle blood, may be, to a 
certain extent, inferred from the armorial bearings which, 
in an age when such distinctions were less boldly assumed 
than at present, and when the Heralds' College still retained 
some vestiges of their ancient authority, were engraved on 
his seal, still preserved by the Marsh family, and which 

' 31 r. Jones's MS. 



6 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

(with some degree of harmless ostentation) are ahnost uni- 
formly appended to his portraits*'. In his works nothing 
occurs which can either confirm or disprove the traditions 
of his descendants ; though he speaks of Rowland Taylor 
with deserved commendation in one of his polemical writings % 
and appeals to his authority m behalf of the Book of Common 
Prayer with something like a filial fondness. I am aware, 
indeed, that the question is, after all, of no great importance, 
and that the character of bishop Taylor could derive no 
additional lustre from a pedigree far more distinguished 
than that which I have assigned him. But the natural 
prejudices of mankind incline them to attach a certain 
decrree of weio-ht to the inheritance of talents and virtues ; 
and I was not sorry to discover, that the author of the 
Liberty of Prophesying was a descendant of one whose 
character and sufferings I had long been accustomed to 
contemplate with veneration. 

There is nothing, indeed, more beautiful in the whole 
beautiful Book of Martyrs, than the account which Fox 
has given of Rowland Taylor, whether in the discharge of 
his duty as a parish priest, or in the more arduous moments 
when he was called on to bear his cross in the cause of 
religion. His warmth of heart, his simplicity of manners, 
the total absence of the false stimulants of enthusiasm or 
pride, and the abundant overflow of better and holier feel- 
ings, are deUneated, no less than his courage in death, and 
the buoyant cheerfulness with which he encountered it, 
with a spirit only inferior to the eloquence and dignity of 
the Phaedon. Something, indeed, must be allowed for the 
manners of the age, before w^e can be reconciled to the 
coarse vigour of his pleasantry, his jocose menace to Bonner, 
and his jests with the sheriff on his own stature and corpu- 
lency. But nothing can be more delightfully told than his 
refusal to fly from the lord chancellor's oflficers ; his dignified, 
yet modest determination to await death in the discharge of 
his duty ; and his affectionate and courageous parting with 
his wife and children. His recollection, when led to the 
stake, of " the blind man and woman," his pensioners, is 

•I N<.te (li). 

^ Pi-f'face to the Apology for Authorized and Set Forms of Liturf^y, 
vdl. vii. p. 304, of this Edition. 



LIFE OF JEREMY JAYLOK, D.D. 7 

of the same delightful character; nor has Plato any thing 
more touching than the lamentation of his parishioners over 
his dishonoured head and long white beard, and his own 
meek rebuke to the w retch who drew blood from that ve- 
nerable countenance. Let not my readers blame me for this 
digression. They will have cause to thank me, if it induces 
them to refer to a history, which few men have ever read 
without its making them " sadder and better ^" 

At three years of age, Jeremy Taylor is said to have 
been sent to the grammar school then recently founded in 
Cambridge under the will of Dr. Stephen Perse, and kept 
by one Lovering^. The profit, however, which he derived 
from Lovering's instructions cannot have been great, if, as 
Taylor himself wrote to the head of Caius, he was '' solely 
grounded in grammar and mathematics" by his father. And 
it is so unusual a thing in his class of life, or, indeed, in any 
class, to send an infant of three years old to a public grammar 
school, that I am tempted exceedingly to doubt a fact which 
rests on a single, and, as it appears in another instance, an 
inaccurate memorandum in the admission book of Caius. If, 
which is certainly not improbable, he attended Lovering's 
school at all, he can hardly have remained at it so long as he 
is there stated to have done"". 

When thirteen years old, on the 18th of August, 1626, 
he was entered at Caius College as a sizar, or poor scholar; 
an order of students who then were what the " servitors" 
still continue to be in some colleges in Oxford, and what the 
*' lay brethren" are in the convents of the Romish church. 
This was an institution which, however it may be now at 
variance with the feelings and manners of the world, was, in 
its original, very far from deserving the reprobation which 
has been sometimes cast on it, and owed, indeed, its begin- 
ning to a zeal for the education of the poor, as w^ell directed 
as it was humane and Christian. In the time of our ancestors, 
the interval between the domestics and the other members 
of a family was by no means so great, nor fenced with so 
harsh and impenetrable a barrier, as in the present days of 
luxury and excessive refinement. As the highest rank of 
subjects was elevated then at a greater height than they 

' Note (r). « Bonney, Life, p. 3. '' Note (D). 



8 LIFE OF JEREMY TAVLOIl, D.D. 

now arc iibovc the most considerable private gentry, so the 
latter constituted a far more efficient link in the great chain 
of society, and a far easier gradation existed between the 
nobles and that class of men from whom their own domestics 
were taken. There was, in those days, no supposed humilia- 
tion in offices which are now accounted menial, but which the 
peer then received as a matter of course from *' the gentle- 
men of his household ;" and which were paid to the knight 
or gentleman by domestics chosen in the families of his own 
most respectable tenants; while, in the humbler ranks of 
middle life, it was the uniform and recognised duty of the 
wife to wait on her husband, the child on his parents, the 
youngest of the family on his elder brothers or sisters'. 
But while the subordination of service was thus perfect and 
universal, this very universality softened its rigours. The 
well-born and well-educated retainers of a noble family were 
admitted by its head to that confidence and familiarity 
which their rank and attainments justified. The servants 
of the manor-house were usually the humble friends of the 
master and mistress, whose playmates they had been during 
childhood, and under whose protection they hoped to grow 
old. We have been, most of us, impressed with the tone of 
equality assumed by the valets of the old French comedy; 
and the jovial familiarity of Furnace, Amble, and Order, in 
Massinger's '' New Way to pay Old Debts," is a well known, 
and, probably, an accurate portrait, of that species of gra- 
duated intercourse which once connected the aristocracy, 
and the throne itself, with the humblest orders of society, 
and in the abolition of which it may be reasonably doubted 
whether all parties are not rather losers than gainers. 

But it is evident, that, as with such habits and feelino;s 
the mere fact of servitude did not in itself degrade, so there 
was nothing to prevent well-educated youths from attending 
their richer neighbours in a menial capacity to Oxford or 
Cambridge ; while there was every possible motive of wisdom 
and humanity to induce the founders and governors of 
colleges to admit young men thus situated to a share in 
the instruction afforded by the place, and in the rewards 
which were held out to the genius or dihgence of other 

• Note (E). 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 9 

scholars. It is easy to declaim against the indecorum and 
illiberality of depressing the poorer students into servants ; 
but it would be more candid, and more consistent with 
truth, to say that our ancestors elevated their servants to 
the rank of students ; softening, as much as possible, every 
invidious distinction, and rendering the convenience of the 
wealthy a means of extending the benefits of education to 
those whose poverty must otherwise have shut them out from 
the springs of knowledge. And the very distinction of dress, 
which has been so often complained of, — the very nature 
of those duties which have been esteemed degrading, — 
were of use in preventing the intrusion of the higher classes 
into situations intended only for the benefit of the poor; 
while, by separating these last from the familiar society of 
the wealthier students, they prevented that dangerous emula- 
tion of expense, which has, in more modern times, almost 
excluded them from the university. The institution is now 
fading fast away ; and, even where it exists, is altered from 
its original character. But the difficulties are proportionably 
increased which oppose the rise of such men as Taylor from 
the lowest to the highest ranks of society ; and the want of 
such a frugal and humble order of students is already felt by 
the church of England, as it eventually may be felt by the 
nation at large. 

At the time of Taylor's entrance at college, he had 
already, as I have observed, been introduced by his father 
to an elementary knowledge of the mathematics. Then, 
as now, if Glanville be believed, (who, with all his voracious 
credulity, both Platonic, chymical, and spectral, was no 
inconsiderable person among the scholars and philosophers 
of the seventeenth century,) a knowledge of the exact 
sciences was that by which Cambridge was chiefly dis- 
tinguished, and the surest avenue through which her honours 
and emoluments were accessible''. 

But no evidence remains that Taylor pursued the mathe- 
matics to any considerable length, or that he made any 
progress in that new method of philosophising, to which the 
world has since been so greatly indebted. Mr. Bonney, 
indeed, appreliends that many of his peculiar merits as a 

'' M'ood's Athene Oxoiiicn&is, vol. iii. eol. 1244. Ed. Bliss. 



10 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

writer may be traced to an acquaintance with Bacon's illus- 
trious treatise on " the Advancement of Knowledge." That 
he had read Bacon I can well believe ; for with what work 
of contemporary genius was Jeremy Taylor likely to be 
unacquainted ? But, though there are abundant proofs in 
his writings of that familiarity with the Aristotelic logic 
which Lloyd ascribes to him ', I have not been able to 
discover a single allusion to those principles which Bacon 
first laid down, and on which alone the discovery of any 
new truth is possible. The powers of Taylor's mind were 
not devoted to the investigation of fresh fields of science, 
or to enlarge the compass of the human intellect, by ascer- 
taining its legitimate boundaries. He was busied through 
life in defending truths already received, or in clearing away 
errors by which those ancient truths had been disfigured. 
His philosophy was almost entirely casuistical. They were 
not falsehoods, but fallacious reasonings, against which he 
had to contend ; and for this species of dialectic warfare his 
weapons were to be sought after, not in the new, but in the 
ancient oro-anon, and amono- the elder divines and school- 
men. It is no disparagement to Bacon, nor is it inconsistent 
with the admiration which Taylor may w^ell have felt for 
him, that he did not apply Bacon's discoveries to an use 
for which Bacon himself did not intend them. 

Whether he received any emolument or honorary dis- 
tinction from Cambrido;e, is doubtful. Rust, his friend, 
and, though not his contemporary, educated at the same 
university, asserts, that after taking his degree of bachelor 
of arts in the year 1630-1, he was chosen fellow of Caius 
College. But we learn from Mr. Bonney, that no evidence 
of this fact exists (where, if true, it surely must have been 
recorded) in the archives of the college and the university. 
And a further reason will be shortly given for supposing 
that Rust was mistaken in this particular, or that he was 
less anxious to discover the truth than to relate whatever 
reports were likely to raise the character of his hero. The 
period, however, was now approaching which introduced 
the talents and learning of Taylor to a patron well qualified 
to appreciate and reward them. 

' Lloyd's I\It'moir!5, p. 702. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOH, U.D. 11 

Shortly after his becoming master of arts, in 1633, 
having ah'cady been admitted into holy orders'", he was 
employed by one Risden, who had been, according to the 
academical habits of the time, his chamber-fellow, and who 
was now lecturer in St. Paul's cathedral, to supply his place 
for a short time in that pulpit, where his graceful person 
and elocution, together with the varied richness of his style 
and argument, and, perhaps, the singularity of a theological 
lecturer of twenty years of age, very soon obtained him 
friends and admirers. He was spoken of in high t^rms 
to Laud, who had then recently left the see of London for 
that of Canterbury, and who, with all his faults of temper 
and judgment, (exaggerated as those faults have been be- 
yond all bounds by the bitterness of the party whom he 
first persecuted, and who afterwards hunted him to death,) 
must ever deserve the thanks of posterity as a liberal and 
judicious patron of that learning and piety, which he himself 
possessed in no ordinary degree. He sent for Taylor to 
preach before him at Lambeth, commended his performance 
highly, and only expressed an objection to the continuance 
of so young a preacher in London. Taylor, with youthful 
vivacity, ** humbly begged his grace to pardon that fault," 
and promised, that, " if he lived, he would amend it"." 
Laud, however, as Rust informs us, *' thought it for the 
advantage of the w^orld that such mighty parts should be 
afforded better opportunities of study and improvement 
than a course of constant preaching would allow of; and, 
to that purpose, he placed him in his own college of All 
Souls, in Oxford." 

Here again the eulogium of bishop Rust may be charged 
with abundant inaccuracy and inconsistency. All Souls was 
not Laud's own college, inasmuch as he had passed his 
whole academical life at St. John's, the presidency of which 
society he relinquished when raised to the bishopric of 
St. David's. Nor had he any further control over, or any 
closer connexion with All Souls, than that which subsists 
betv/een every college and its visitor. The reason, too, 
which is given for Taylor's removal from Cambridge to 

"' Comber, Discourse on the Offices of Ordination, quoted by Bonney, 
Life, p. 6, Note. 

" lyloyd's Memoirs, p. 702. 



12 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

another seat of learning, is plainly at variance with Rust's 
own previous assertion that he was already a fellow of Caius. 
Had this been the case. Rust, himself a Cambridge man, 
would hardly have denied that a residence in his own uni- 
versity would have afforded him sufficient " opportunities of 
study and improvement :" nor could Laud have reasonably 
expected or counselled Taylor to abandon a maintenance 
which he already possessed, in order to qualify himself for 
another situation of the same sort, and little, if at all, more 
lucrative. But if Taylor were then, as is most probable, 
a mere scholar of fortune, and unable, through poverty, to 
prolong his residence in his own university, it was only 
natural that his patron should be anxious to remove him 
to Oxford, where his rank as chancellor and visitor of 
several colleges gave him abundant opportunities of pro- 
viding for the object of his favour. 

When it was that Laud adopted this plan of befriending 
Taylor, or what became of the latter in the meantime it 
is now too late to discover. If the interview which has 
been related took place soon after his arrival in London, 
it may seem that, however anxious Laud might be to remove 
him from thence, a considerable time elapsed before he took 
any successful steps in his favour at Oxford. During this 
time, perhaps, it was that he pursued his studies, according 
to a tradition current in that neighbourhood, at Maidley 
Hall, near Tannvorth*". But, be this as it may, it was not 
till the 20th of October, 1635, that Taylor was admitted to 
the same rank of master of arts in University College as 
he had previously held at Cambridge ; and three days after 
that, the archbishop wrote a strong letter in his favour to the 
warden and fellows of All Souls. He there states, that a 
Mr. Osborn, one of their number, being about to " give over 
his fellowship," had offered him the nomination of a scholar 
to succeed him ; that he, " being willing to recommend such 
an one as they should thank him for," was " resolved to 
pitch on Mr. Jeremiah Taylor ;" and that he " heartily 
prayed them to give him all furtherance at the next election, 
not doubting that he would approve himself a worthy and 
learned member of their society." 

" Geutlemairs Magazine, a.d. 17^3, p. 144. 



LIFE OF JKRK:\rY TAYLOR, D.D. 13 

What authority Mr. Osborn can liave had to dispose 
in tills manner of the nomination to a fellowship which he 
was himself about to resign, or how he could undertake 
to influence an election in which he was to have no voice, is 
not very easy to conjecture, unless we suppose him to have 
spoken the sentiments of some others among his brethren 
who may have desired to pay their visitor the unusual com- 
pliment of askijig his opinion in the choice of a new member 
of the society. The recommendation, however, forcible as 
it must have been, was not received with implicit deference, 
inasmuch as a reasonable doubt existed whether Taylor was 
strictly eligible. Wood, indeed, is wrong in saying that he 
was above the age at which he might be chosen; but the 
statutes are express in requiring candidates to be of three 
years' standing in the university, whereas ten days had, at 
the time of the election, barely elapsed since Taylor had 
been incorporated into Oxford. It is true that Laud seems 
to have supposed that his admission " ad eundem," as it 
entitled him to all the privileges of a master of arts, entitled 
him to whatever advantages were conferred by that standing 
in the university, which he must have had in order to take 
his degree there regularly. And a very great majority of the 
fellows, either convinced by this argument, or desirous of 
straining a point in favour of a candidate so deserving and 
so powerfully recommended, appear to have espoused his 
cause, and to have voted in the first instance for his ad- 
mission. Sheldon, however, the warden, (afterwards himself 
archbishop of Canterbury, and a munificent benefactor to 
the university,) less pliant, or more scrupulous, refused to 
concur in the election. Under these circumstances, the 
fellows persisting in their choice, no election at all took 
place, but the nomination devolved in due course to the 
archbishop, as visitor of the college, who thus acquired 
the right of appointing Taylor by his sole authority to the 
vacant situation, on the 14th of January, 1636. 

This appears to be the true statement of a transaction 
which W^ood has considerably misrepresented, as if Laud 
had, by an irregular and unwarrantable exercise of authority, 
intruded Taylor into a college, which was neither disposed, 
nor statuteably able, to receive him. It is plain, however, 
from documents of which Wood had no knowlcdfre, that 



14 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYf.OR, D.D. 

(whatever may ha thought of the propriety of Osborn's 
conduct, or the validity of Sheldon's objection,) the arch- 
bishop had at least a plausible excuse for his recommenda- 
tion of a candidate ; and a ground, whether tenable or not, 
which might justify his recommendation of Taylor. It is 
plain that a candidate whom the fellows almost unanimously 
approved of was not personally disagreeable to them ; while 
(the fellows and warden being at variance on the interpreta- 
tion of a statute) the decision must naturally and legally 
have rested with the visitor only. The conduct of Sheldon 
throughout the affair appears to have been at once spirited 
and conscientious ; but it may have been marked by some 
degree of personal harshness towards Taylor, since we find 
that, for some years after, a coolness subsisted between 
them, till the generous conduct of the warden produced, as 
will be seen, a sincere and lasting reconciliationP. 

Taylor was now in possession of those advantages which 
his patron had esteemed so necessary for his improvement ; 
a dignified retirement, a decent maintenance, and a free 
access to books and learned conversation. And we are told 
by his biogi'apher how much he profited by these opportu- 
nities, and how much he was admired by the university for 
his '* excellent casuistical preaching*!." Unfortunately, how- 
ever, it appears by the college books, that, during the four 
years of his remaining a fellow, he was by no means a 
regular resident ; while, of his existing sermons, there are 
few which can be reckoned casuistical, and only one, the 
composition of which we have any reason to refer to the 
time of his Oxford studies. I have not been able to learn 
at what date he was made one of the archbishop's chaplains, 
an office which would naturally draw him a good deal away 
from the scene which he was so well adapted to ornament ; 
but he was, on the 23d of March, 1637-8, presented by 
Juxon, bishop of London, (probably through the interest of 
his steady friend, the archbishop,) to the rectory of Upping- 
ham, in Rutlandshire, which, though tenable with his fellow- 
ship, was a still better reason than his chaplaincy for making 
his residence in All Souls occasional only ^ 

I* Note (E). 1 "\Yood, iibi supra. Ivloyd, ubi supra. 

' Bonney, pp. 14, I7. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 15 

During this time he is said by Wood to have first become 
the object of a suspicion, which, however undeserved, con- 
tinued throuo-h life to haunt him, of a concealed attachment 
to the Romish communion. Such a report was almost sure 
to be raised at the expense of any man whom Laud esteemed 
and promoted. And if Taylor had already adopted his ascetic 
notions of piety, his profound veneration for antiquity, and 
his attachment to the picturesque and poetical features of 
religion, he would be only the more likely to incur a charge 
which, in a more advanced period of his life, and while 
contending against the errors of popery, he solemnly declared 
to have been always unfounded and slanderous^. And if, 
as Wood assures us, and as is, certainly, not improbable, 
he lived at this time on terms of intimate intercourse with 
a learned Franciscan friar, known by the name of Francis 
li Sancta Clara, such a friendship, however innocent and 
creditable to both parties, was, in those days of bitterness 
and jealousy, sufficient to give confirmation to any rumours 
of the kind which might be propagated or believed, not only 
by the puritans, but by the same party among the papists 
who tempted Laud with a cardinal's hat, and who seem to 
have flattered themselves that all the more learned and 
moderate protestants of the age were secretly '* tending 
towards Latium." 

This Franciscan, whose real name was Christopher Da- 
venport, but who was also known by the name of Hunt, 
was, in his time, an extraordinary person. He was born 
of protestant parents, and, with his brother John, entered 
at an early age, in the year 1613, as battler, or pooi' scholar, 
of Merton College. The brothers, as they grew up, fell 
into almost opposite religious opinions. John became first 
a violent puritan, and, at length, an independent. Chris- 
topher, two years after his entrance at Merton, being then 
only seventeen years old, fled to Douay with a Romish 
priest, and took the vows of Francis of Assisi. He rambled 
for some years through the universities of the Low Countries 
and Spain ; became reader of divinity at Douay, and ob- 
tained the degree of doctor. At length he appeared as a 
missionary in England, where he was appointed one of 

'^ First Letter to one tempted to the Romish Church, vol. xi. p. 2n. 



16 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

queen Henrietta's chaplains, and, during more than fifty 
years, secretly laboured in the cause of liis religion. An 
intimacy with him was one of the charges brought against 
Laud on his trial ; when it appeared that, in fact, he had 
been introduced to the archbishop by his chaplain. Dr. 
Augustine Lindsell, as a person engaged in a work on the 
Operation of God's Grace, and a Defence of Episcopacy*. 
Laud seems to have, paid him but little attention ; but Wood 
informs us that he was much esteemed *' by many great and 
worthy persons ;" and he appears to have been a man of 
sufficient learning and moderation to have given alarm to 
many of the bigots of his own persuasion, and of sufficient 
zeal and talent to have served the interests of that per- 
suasion in the most effectual manner. His works, of which 
a long list is given by Wood, are marked, on the whole, with 
a conciliatory spirit ; and he met with so much of the usual 
fortune of conciliators, as to have his book, entitled '* Deus, 
Natura, Gratia," put into the Index Expurgationis in Spain, 
and all but committed publicly to the flames in Italy. His 
merits, however, towards his own church, were at length 
acknowledged, by his being made principal chaplain to the 
queen of Charles the Second, and chosen, for many years 
in succession, provincial of his own order in England. His 
conversation is described by Wood as free and lively ; and 
he found many friends, and a frequent asylum, at Oxford, 
where it was his desire to be buried in the church of St. Ebba, 
formerly belonging to the Franciscans. He was, however, 
interred in London, where he died, at a great age, in 1680". 

The friendship of such a man as this could not disgrace 
Taylor ; but when Davenport, as Wood assures us, ascribed 
to Taylor a regularly formed resolution of being reconciled 
to the church of Rome, which only failed through the in- 
dignation of their party at certain expressions in a sermon 
preached by him on the fifth of November, 1638, it is most 
reasonable, as well as most charitable, to impute the assertion 
to a failure of memory, not unnatural to one so far advanced 
in years as he must have been when Wood conversed with 
him. 

* Note (G). 

" Wood, Athen. Oxon. vol. iii. col. 1223. Church History of England, 
Vol. iii. p. 103. Brussels, 1744. 



LTFK OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 17 

Thus he tells us, that Taylor being appointed to preach 
before the university on the anniversary of the Gunpowder 
Treason, the then vice-chancellor insisted on his inserting 
many things so offensive to the Roman Catholics, that his 
friendship was afterwards rejected by them with scorn, not- 
withstanding his expressions of regret and penitence for the 
sentiments which he had been constrained to utter''. 

If, however, as Mr» Bonney well observes, *' the vice- 
chancellor had done what was reported, he must have com- 
pletely remodelled the whole discourse ;" which, instead of 
bearing any marks of such interpolation, is nothing else, 
from beginning to end, but a connected and consistent chain 
of argument against the principles of the Roman Catholics, 
as what must, in their nature, conduct to such effects as the 
conspiracy of Digby and his associates. Of invective (which 
a violent person, or one who desired the preacher to sacrifice 
to the angry feelings of the time, was most likely to intro- 
duce into the discourse of another,) there is absolutely no 
appearance. And as Taylor was not a likely man to com- 
promise his high reputation, or his rank in the university 
and in the church, by adopting, against his own opinion, the 
sentiments or language of another ; so, what he had once 
said and published, he was still less likely to retract in the 
manner which Wood, on the authority of Davenport, imputes 
to him. I may add, that there is little in the sermon itself 
which could have shocked or surprised the Roman Catholics, 
as proceeding from a professed member of the Protestant 
church, and master of arts in an English university. Nor 
is it likely that they, who were not deterred by Laud's con- 
troversy with Fisher from expecting the conversion of that 
prelate, or from persecuting him through life with their fatal 
friendship, would, on so-'much slighter an offence, have 
given up whatever hold of intimacy or influence they had 
acquired over such a mind as that of Jeremy Taylor. 

It has been said that he was appointed to preach the 
sermon in question by his patron, the archbishop. If this 
were true, it would be still more improbable that, thus 
appointed, he would submit his composition to the censure 
of the vice-chancellor. But of this designation there is, in 

" \V(M'(1, ul)i suiira. 
C 



18 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

trutli, no appearance. The appointment of preachers on 
such occasions is usually exercised by the vice-chancellor, 
not the chancellor himself; and the author, in his dedi- 
cation to Laud, plainly gives us to understand, that " the 
superior," in obedience to whose commands he embarked in 
the work, was not the same with him to whom he inscribed 
it when published. " It pleased some," he says, *' who had 
the power to command me, to wish me to the publication of 
these my short and sudden meditations, that, if it were 
possible, even this way I might express my duty to God 
and the king. Being thus far encouraged, I resolved to go 
somewhat further, even to the boldness of a dedication to 
your grace, that, since I had no merit of my own to move 
me to the confidence of a public view, yet I might dare to 
venture under the protection of your grace's favour." And 
he goes on to allege several different reasons for the pro- 
priety of inscribing such a work to the archbishop, without 
once mentioning (what, if it were true, would have been the 
best reason of all,) that it was by Laud's own command that 
he had undertaken the discussion of the subject. 

Of this earliest production of Taylor's genius, the defects 
and merits may be the subject of future investigation. I will 
here merely observe, that the former are those of the time at 
which he lived, and are, themselves, chiefly defects as being- 
out of their place, and as less proper for a solemn discourse 
than a popular harangue or a polemical pamphlet. The 
latter are almost exclusively his own ; and if we have less 
of that splendid strain of eloquence which, in his later 
works, has left him without a rival, it will not be denied that 
in his earliest sermons are many blossoms of genuine power 
and beauty, which continued meditation and longer practice 
might be reasonably expected to ripen into fruits worthy of 
Paradise. 

Ascetic as Taylor was in many of his opinions, celibacy 
appears to have formed no part of his plan of life ; nor does 
he seem to have attached so much value to the learned 
leisure of an university, as to have been inclined to linger 
there after a new and important scene of action and duty 
was elsewhere opened to him. I have already observed, 
that, from the date of his institution to Uppingham, he was 
but little resident in All Souls; and he now, at an earlier 



LIFE OF JEREIMY TAYLOR, D.D. 19 

age than is usual with literary men, took a step which was 
to separate him IVom his fellowship entirely. 

On the 27th of May, 1639, being tlicn in tlie twenty- 
sixth year of his age, he married, at Uppingham, PhccJbe 
Landisdale, or Langsdale, of whose family little else is 
known than that her brother was a physician, established 
first at Gainsborough, and afterwards at Leeds, where he 
was buried January the 7tli, 1683 y. Of Phoebe's mother, 
though not of her father, mention is made in one of Ta^dor's 
letters ; and from this circumstance, as well as the daughter's 
being married at Uppingham, it is probable that she was a 
w-idow residing in that parish. 

By Phoebe Langsdale, Taylor had three sons, one of 
whom, William, (so named, in all probability, after his great 
patron. Laud), was buried at Uppingham on the 28th of 
May, 1642; nor did the mother long survive her infant^. 
The other boys grew up to manhood, and their melancholy 
deaths were among the last and most grievous trials of 
Taylor's eventful pilgrimage. 

This year, 1642, was marked, however, by many public 
as well as private sorrows ; and, in the great struggle which 
w^as now^ begun, he ably and courageously contended on the 
side both of episcopacy and monarchy. He appears to have 
been among the first to join the king at Oxford, where, 
shortly after, he published, '' by his Majesty's command," 
his treatise of " Episcopacy asserted against the Acephali 
and Aerians, new and old ;" " encouraged," as Heylin tells 
us, *' by many petitions" to the same effect ** to his majesty 
and both houses of parliament ^." But though it was natural 
that the outrageous proceedings of the presbyterian party 
should have produced a considerable revulsion in the national 
feeling, and though the work itself is well adapted to profit 
by and strengthen such a disposition, it is probable that 
men's minds, were by this time, too generally made up to 
leave them inclination or leisure for the study of contro- 
versy ; and the fact that the treatise remained without an 
attempt at reply from the other party, is a probable argu- 
ment that it was less read than it well deserved to be. 

To such rewards, however, as the king and church had 

> Bonney's MS. Note. ' Jones's MS. Boiuicy, p. 18. 

^ Heylin's Life of I/aud, p. 4<^5 



20 MFK OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

to bestow, Taylor had no common pretensions ; and we find 
him admitted, on the first of Ts^ovembcr in the same year, 
with many other eminent loyahsts, by the royal mandate, to 
the degree of doctor of divinity. The distinction, however, 
was considerably lessened by the indiscriminate manner in 
which similar honours were then bestowed ; inasmuch as 
the unfortunate monarch, having few other v/ays in his 
power of rewarding the services of his adherents, created, 
about the same time, his doctors and masters of arts with 
so much profusion, as to call forth a remonstrance from the 
heads of houses against a practice w^hich threatened to de- 
stroy the discipline, the dignity, and even the revenues of 
the university^. 

The Presbyterians had more power to hurt than Charles 
to reward : and it was, probably, about this time that the 
rectory of Uppingham was sequestered ; a fact which is 
certain from the joint authority of Walker and Lloyd, no 
less than from all which is known of Taylor's subsequent 
poverty. The date of his deprivation, however, or the name 
of his intrusive successor, I am not able to supply. Neither 
Walker, Calamy, nor Clarke, throw any light on the subject ; 
and though the bishop of Peterborough has, with much 
kindness, examined for me the register's office of that 
diocese, no information appears there, or in the parish books 
of Uppingham, which can add any thing to the facts already 
collected by Mr. Bonney. Of course, neither Taylor, nor any 
of the deprived clergy, relinquished their claim to the livings 
of which they were despoiled ; but as their places were, in 
every instance, filled up without loss of time by the ruling 
party, it is something remarkable that no record remains of 
the institution of the intruder, his incumbency, or his ex- 
pulsion on the return of monarchy and episcopacy. The 
name of Daniel Swift only once occurs (on the 20th of 
April, 1652) as choosing a churchwarden, and signing him- 
self '* Pastor de Uppingham ;" and there is not the smallest 
appearance, during the following years of Taylor's life, that 
he received any part of that pittance w^hich the clergy, 
presented to livings by the parliamentary commissioners, 
were enjoined to pay to their expelled predecessors'^. 

^ Note (H) = Bonney, p, 31, Note. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 21 

He had obtained, however, a wealthy and powerful 
patron in Christopher Hatton, Esq., afterwards lord liatton 
of Kirby, who had been his neighbour at Uppingham, and 
to whom his Defence of Episcopacy, as well as many other 
of his earlier works, are dedicated; '* a person," Clarendon 
tells us, " who, when he was appointed controller of the 
king's household, possessed a great reputation, which, in a 
few years, he found a way to diminish"^." 

It is always difficult to determine the real character of a 
public man, between the widely varying statements of his 
friends on one side, and his enemies or rivals on the other. 
The same lord Hervey who was the Sporus of Pope's tre- 
mendous satire, is extolled by Middleton, in all the exube- 
rance of elegant flattery, as the last of the Romans, the 
bravest, the best, and most eloquent of mankind. Nor is it 
easy to find a more splendid character in history, than is 
ascribed by the hope or gratitude of Taylor to the nobleman 
of whom the historian speaks thus slightingly. It was not, 
indeed, till the present age that men of letters appear to 
have completely broken through that debasing custom, which 
made excessive eulogium and affected humility essentials in 
the addresses of authors to the great and wealthy. Yet 
Hatton cannot have been destitute of learning or of talents, 
since in him Taylor found opinions congenial to his own on 
the subject of toleration, and since it was at his suggestion, 
and with his assistance, that Dugdale undertook his Monas- 
ticon^ 

Of Taylor's history, during the remainder of the civil 
war, we are very imperfectly informed. Wood speaks of 
him as a frequent preacher before the court at Oxford, and 
as following the royal army in the capacity of chaplain, till, 
on the decline of the king's cause, he sought an asylum in 
Carmarthenshire. The following letter, however, represents 
him, at the close of the year 1643, living, for a time at least, 
with his mother-in-law and children, and oppressed, as 
should seem from some of his expressions, by those pecu- 
niary difficulties which, during by far the greater part of 
his life, continued to pursue and harass him. The silence 
observed respecting his wife confirms lady Wray's statement, 

•^ Clarendon, HisU Rebell. vol. ii. 150. Oxon. " Note (I). 



22 LIFE OF JERE:\IY TAYLOR, D.D. 

that he had buried her before he quitted Uppingham. For 
the rest, it serves to show how constantly his attention was 
directed to the spiritual welfare and improvement of those 
with whom he was connected. The original letter is in the 
British Museum. — 

" Deare Brother, — Thy letter was most welcome to 
me, bringincr the happy news of thy recovery. I had notice 
of thy danger, but watched for this happy relation, and had 
layd wayte with Royston to enquire of Mr. Rumbould. I 
hope I shall not neede to bid thee be carefull for the per- 
fecting thy health, and to be fearful of a relapse. Though 
I am very much, yet thou thyself art more concerned in it. 
But this I will remind thee of, that thou be infinitely [careful] 
to perform to God those holy promises which I suppose 
thou didst make in thy sicknesse ; and remember what 
thoughts thou hadst then, and beare them along upon thy 
spirit all thy life-time. For that which was true then is so 
still, and the world is really as vain a thing as thou didst 
then suppose it. I durst not tell thy mother of thy danger 
(though I heard of it,) till, at the same time, I told her of 
thy recovery. Poore woman ! she was troubled and pleased 
at the same time, but your letter did determine her. I take 
it kindly that thou hast writt to Bowman. If I had been in 
condition you should not have beene troubled with it; but, 
as it is, both thou and I must be content. Thy mother sends 
her blessing to thee and her little Mally. So doe I, and my 
prayers to God for you both. Your little cozens are your 
servants ; and I am 

*' Thy most affectionate and endeared Brother, 

" November 24, 1G43." " JER. TAYLOR.*' 

" To my very dear Brother, D. Langsdale, at his 

Apothecary's House in Gainsborough." 

This letter is without any mention of the place whence it 
was written ; but the notice which occurs of Royston, who 
was a bookseller and printer in Ivy Lane, and who published 
most of Taylor's later works, would naturally lead us to 
suspect that its writer was then in London. This is, how- 
ever, altogether at variance with Wood's statement, unless 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAVJ-OH, D.D. 23 

we suppose that, for some reason which cannot now be 
discovered, he discontinued his attendance on the royal 
person at a far earHer period than " the dechne of the royal 
cause." Next year, however, we find him in Wales, and 
again attached to a portion of the army, since Whitelock 
mentions a Dr. Taylor (and Jeremy Taylor is the only person 
of that name and degree whom I have been able to discover 
among the royalists) as a conspicuous prisoner, (the only 
one, indeed, whose name he notices,) in the victory gained 
by the parliamentary troops over colonel Charles Gerard, 
before tlie castle of Cardigan, on the 4th of February, 1644^ 
And I am inclined to suspect, that the cause which drew 
him away from the royal army was love ; that he had formed 
an attachment to the lady who afterwards became his 
second wife, during the first visit of king Charles to Wales ; 
and that he married her, and retired to her property, soon 
after the date of his letter to Dr. Lanosdale, thouo-h the 
evils of w^ar, extending themselves into the most remote 
and peaceful districts, again, in a very short space of time, 
involved him in their vortex. Something of this kind is 
plainly intimated in the dedication to his Liberty of Pro- 
phesying; and the passage itself is worth transcribing, not 
only for the spirit of poetry which it breathes, but as giving 
us almost all the information which remains as to the troubles 
of Jeremy Taylor. 

In it, he tells his patron, lord Hatton, that, '' in the great 
storm which dashed the vessel of the church all in pieces, he 
had been cast on the coast of Wales ; and, in a little boat, 
thought to have enjoyed that rest and quietness which, in 
England, in a far greater, he could not hope for. Here," he 
continues, '' I cast anchor ; and, thinking to ride safely, the 
storm followed me with so impetuous violence, that it broke 
a cable, and I lost my anchor. And here again I was exposed 
to the mercy of the sea, and the gentleness of an element 
that could neither distinguish things nor persons. And but 
that He who stilleth the raging of the sea, and the noise of 
his waves, and the madness of his people, had provided a 
plank for me, I had been lost to all the opportunities of 



^ Wliitelock, Memor. ]>. i:>(). For my kjiowltNUi^i! o!' this rtirious jtat.s.it^r 
am indebted to a MS. Note of 3Ir. Jjoniiev. 



24 



.IFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 



content or study. But I know not whether I have been 
more preserved by the courtesies of my friends, or the 
gentleness and mercies of a noble enemy. 'O/ yao (Sd^QuPOi 
'nuouyj))/ oj Tr^v r'jy^rZGav (piXav^^carriav r,[x7v' dva-^ccvng ydg r:\igdv, 
rr^off£XdQo)/ro 11 A NT A 2 HMAS, d/d rov vsrov rov l(pi6T0jTa, xa» 
did TO -^'oyjizy 

Th^at a voluntary retreat from the more busy scenes of 
war and politics ; that a subsequent exposure to the same 
interruptions, w ith more than their usual share of attendant 
misfortune ; that the help of friends, and the forbearance of 
enemies, are here spoken of, is sufficiently evident. But the 
Greek quotation from the Acts of the Apostles (for which, 
by the way, those generous enemies w^hom he praises, had 
they understood it, would have scarcely thanked him), 
implies, at least, that he had many fellow-sufferers in that 
particular danger to which he alludes. Nor can I find any 
defeat of the loyalists in the neighbourhood of his Welch 
retirement which so well tallies with these different circum- 
stances, as that w^hich Whitelock has recorded. The Liberty 
of Prophesying was, indeed, not published till 1647 ; but, 
for the probable duration of his imprisonment, the time 
necessary to collect his books, and, in the midst of those 
avocations on which his livelihood depended, to prepare for 
the press such an essay as that to which he chiefly owes his 
fame, w^ould account for a far longer interval between his 
becoming a prisoner and the date of that work, than the 
hypothesis on which I have ventured supposes. 

Nor can I consider it as inconsistent with this opinion, 
that, during this same year, 1644, there appeared at Oxford 
his edition of the Psalter, with Collects affixed to each 
Psalm ; and that a Defence of the Liturgy, which he after- 
wards improved into a larger works, was also published, 
and honoured by the approbation of king Charles. On the 
contrary, the supposition of his being, at this time, in the 
enemy's hands, will account for that which is otherwise not 
easy to explain, why, contrary to his usual practice, the latter 
of these came out anonymously, and the former under the 
name of Hatton. Jf this last measure were intended to 



« See Dedication to an Apology for Authorized and Set Forms of Liturgy, 
vol. vii. ]). cclxxix. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 25 

gratify his patron's vanity, it would be a trick discreditable 
to both sides ; though to Taylor, in his deep poverty and 
burthened with a family, much might be forgiven. But, 
while yet a prisoner, there might be some reason for his 
abstaining from publishing any thing in his own name, 
though even this would hardly justify Hatton in appro- 
priating to himself the work of another''. 

How long Taylor remained a prisoner, and on what 
terms, and by whose interest he was released, there are now 
small hopes of discovering. I would gladly have recorded, 
with some degree of certainty, the names of those generous 
enemies from whom he received so much unexpected kind- 
ness. All which is known on this subject is, that colonel 
Laugharn, governor of Pembroke Castle, was the chief 
parliamentary officer about this time in South Wales ; and 
that colonel Broughton, colonel Stephens, Mr. Catching of 
Trelleck, and Mr. Jones of Uske, are named by Rushworth 
as the committee for that district. It is to these gentlemen, 
therefore, or to some among them, that the Christian world 
is indebted for their humanity to one of its brightest orna- 
ments. Such instances of individual gentleness and forbear- 
ance occur like bright and insulated spots in the gloomy 
annals of most civil wars ; but an Englishman may recollect 
with gratitude, and some degree of honest pride in his own 
nation and ancestors, that more such are, perhaps, to be 
found in the records of our own troubles than in those of 
any other contest of equal length, and embittered by so many 
different circumstances of religious and popular hatred. 

When Taylor was once in Wales, it was not likely he 
would rejoin the royal army, even supposing him released 
from his confinement or his parole, before the success of that 
army became desperate by the secession of the king, and his 
surrender of himself to the Scottish forces. I am not, how- 
ever, of opinion, that he had now taken a last leave of his 
unfortunate master. In August, 1647, the chaplains of the 
imprisoned monarch were again allowed, for a time, free 
access to him ; and it appears, that, at a late period of 
Charles's misfortunes, Taylor had an interview with him, 
and received from him, in token of his regard, his watch, 

* Note (J). 



26 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR,, D.D. 

and a few jDearls and rubies which had ornamented the 
ebony case in which he kept his Bible'. 

Being now deprived of all church preferment, he sup- 
ported himself by keeping a school, which he carried on 
in partnership with William Nicholson, afterwards bishop of 
Gloucester, and William Wyat, who subsequently obtained 
the rank of prebendary of Lincoln. Their success, con- 
sidering their remote situation and the distresses of the 
times, appears to have been not inconsiderable. Newton 
Hall, a house in the parish of Lanfihangel, which they jointly 
rented, is dignified by Wyat, in his Latin epistle to lord 
Hatton, which will be shortly noticed, with the title of 
" Collegium Newtoniense :" and Wood tells us of '* several 
youths most loyally educated there, and afterwards sent to 
the universities." 

Of their scholars, however, none are now remembered 
but Judge Powell, who bore a distinguished part on the trial 
of the seven bishops ; Richard Peers, an Irishman of mean 
extraction, but who is mentioned by Wood among the list 
of Oxford writers ; and a certain Griffin Lloyd, Esq. of 
Cvnngwilly, who has thought it worth while, as Judge 
Powell has also done, to record on his tomb that he was 
educated under Taylor and Nicholson*". Nor have I been 
able to ascertain how long their partnership continued, 
though it certainly was dissolved long before the restoration 
of the royal family, and even before Taylor's departure from 
Wales. 

Of this establishment, accordingly, the most remarkable 
fruit with which we are acquainted, is " A New and Easy 
Institution of Grammar," which appeared in 1647 ; to which 
are prefixed two epistles dedicatory, the one by Wyat, in 
Latin, which has been already noticed as addressed to lord 
Hatton ; the other in English, by Taylor himself, to Chris- 
topher Hatton, his patron's eldest son, then a youth of 
fifteen, afterwards raised by Charles the Second to the 
dignity of a viscount, and made governor of Guernsey. 
This address is in the usual style of his writings, devout, 
affectionate, and eloquent. The work which it introduces 
(though pompously panegyrized in a copy of Latin verses 

' JMr. Jones's M8. iMr. Bonncy's do. ^ Note (K). 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 27 

by a certain F. Gregory, who appears to have been an 
under-master at Westminster), was, probably, tlic work of 
Wyat rather than of Taylor, and, though well adapted to 
its purpose, is not of a nature to add materially to the 
reputation of either. 

It was followed, shortly after, by the most curious, and, 
perhaps, the ablest of all his compositions, — his admirable 
" Liberty of Prophesying ;" composed, as he tells his patron, 
lord Hatton, in the epistle dedicatory, under a host of 
grievous disadvantages ; in adversity and want ; without 
books or leisure ; and with no other resources than those 
which were supplied by a long familiarity with the sacred 
volume, and a powerful mind, imbued with all the learning 
of past ages. 

Of the work thus produced, an account will be given 
hereafter. Of its importance and value at the time of its 
first appearance, some opinion may be formed by recollecting 
that it is the first attempt on record to conciliate the minds 
of Christians to the reception of a doctrine which, though 
now the rule of action professed by all Christian sects, was 
then, by every sect alike, regarded as a perilous and por- 
tentous novelty. 

There is abundant proof, indeed, in the history of the 
times in which Taylor lived, and of those which immediately 
preceded him, that (much as every rehgious party, in its 
turn, had suffered from persecution, and loudly and bitterly 
as each had, in its own particular instance, complained of 
the severities exercised against its members,) no party had 
yet been found to perceive the great wickedness of perse- 
cution in the abstract, or the moral unfitness of temporal 
punishment as an engine of religious controversy. Even 
the sects who were themselves under oppression exclaimed 
against their rulers, not as being persecutors at all, but as 
persecuting those who professed the truth; and each sect, as 
it obtained the power to wield the secular weapon, esteemed 
it also a duty, as well as a privilege, not to bear the sword 
in vain. 

Under such circumstances, it was absolutely necessary 
for Taylor to guard against misrepresentation or miscon- 
<:eption ; to admit, as he has done in his epistle to lord 
Hatton, repeatedly and expressly, the expedience of sup- 



28 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

pressing, even by force, sucli religious opinions (if any sucli 
there were) as taught sedition or immorahty, and to prove 
that the exclusion of the secular weapon from our Christian 
warfare was not inconsistent with the employment of all 
peaceable and charitable means of refuting error, and of 
bringing back, by fair argument and good example, to the 
sheepfold of our Divine Master, our deceived or deceiving 
brethren. 

But, notwithstanding this eloquent apology, the Liberty 
of Prophesying inculcated a doctrine too entirely at variance 
with the practice and prejudices of Taylor's age, to escape 
the animadversions of his contemporaries. A copy of the 
first edition, which now lies before me, has its margin almost 
covered with manuscript notes, expressive of doubt or disap- 
probation ; and the commentator, whoever he was, has sub- 
joined at the end of the volume " Taceo metu," and " Vobis 
dico non omnibus." His arguments, more particularly, in 
behalf of the Anabaptists, were regarded as too strenuous 
and unqualified ; and the opinions of the author himself 
having consequently fallen into suspicion, he, in a subse- 
quent edition, added a powerful and satisfactory explanation 
of his previous language, and an answer to the considera- 
tions which he had himself advanced in apology for the 
opinions of those sectaries. 

That Taylor was most sincere in his belief of the pro- 
priety and efficacy of infant baptism, he has shown in the 
sixth and seventh discourses of his '' Great Exemplar," 
which he, in the first instance, published separately, in the 
year 1655, as a corrective to the mischief which he was 
supposed to have done by his previous admissions ; accom- 
panied by a preface, in which he refers the reader, for fuller 
satisfaction, to the labours of his friend. Dr. Hammond, on 
the same subject. 

Hammond, indeed, had himself, though with much cour- 
tesy and kindness of expression, undertaken to answer the 
precise arguments employed by Taylor, in his ** Letter of 
Resolution to six Queres of present use with the Church 
of England." He there, under the head of the Baptizing 
of Infants, describes the collection of Presumptions against 
Pseudo-baptism contained in the Liberty of Prophesying, 
as *' the most diligent he had met with," and as " so impar- 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 29 

tially enforcing the arguments of his adversaries, that he 
knew not where to furnish liimself with so exact a scheme, 
and that therefore, on that one account, he should choose to 
follow the path which his friend had traced before him'." 

Hammond and Taylor well knew each other's worth. 
They were, for a few years at least, fellow-students. They 
together, in the worst of times, obtained, by unshaken 
loyalty and piety unim peached, the respect of their political 
and religious opponents ; and they were so perfectly trusted 
by the loyalists, that they were made the joint channels for 
dispensing those contributions which were privately raised, 
to a large amount, for the persecuted clergy of the church 
of England "". 

How well Hammond, in his controversy with Tombes, as 
well as in the work already noticed, performed his part as 
advocate for Psedo-baptism, it is unnecessary here to notice. 
Of Taylor's exertions in the same good cause, I can give no 
better proof than the weight which is ascribed to his testi- 
mony by a writer who has discussed those unfortunate con- 
troversies which have recently arisen on baptismal regenera- 
tion, with a wisdom, a discrimination, and a conciliatory 
temper, which can hardly be surpassed, and which have been 
too little imitated". 

Of those who, in Taylor's own day, attacked the leading 
principle on which the Liberty of Prophesying was founded, 
the most considerable, and the only one whose name has 
descended to the present times, though rather as the mark 
of one of Milton's satirical arrows, than for any of those 
particulars which excited the respect and deference of his 
Calvinistic contemporaries, was Samuel Rutherford, professor 
of divinity in the university of St. Andrew's. He produced, 
in 1649, *' A Free Disputation against pretended Liberty of 
Conscience," which Taylor never noticed so far as to answer, 
but which appears to have been one, at least, of the causes 
which led Milton, who is said to have always admired 
Taylor, and whose zeal for toleration was as unlimited and 

' Hammond's A\^)rks, vol. i. p. 45L 

'" Life of Hammond. "Wordsworth's Eccles. Biograpliy, vol. v. pp. .37«j, 
376, and Note. 

" Quarterly Review, vol. xv. p. 4Ul. 



30 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

as consistent as Taylor's was, to insert the name of Ruther- 
ford in the contemptuous diatribe to which I liave alkided ". 

An attack of a different kind has, in later times, been 
made on the Liberty of Prophesying, arraigning not the 
principles of the work, but the motives and sincerity of the 
author in maintaining them. He has been represented as 
arguing, not from his own personal conviction, but as an 
advocate, and to serve the temporary ends of his party; 
since, though a churchman, he was a dissenter when the 
Liberty of Prophesying was written. ** He was then," pro- 
ceeds the writer from whose work this charge is taken, 
" pleading for toleration to episcopacy. He must either 
have written what he did not himself fully believe, or, in 
a few years, his opinion must have undergone a wonderful 
change. With the return of monarchy, Taylor emerged 
from obscurity; wrote no more * on the Liberty of Pro- 
phesying ;' and was a rmmher of the privi/ council of Charles 
the Second, from which all the persecuting edicts against the 
poor non-conformists proceeded. It deserves to be view^ed, 
therefore, as the special pleading of a party counsellor, or 
the production of Jeremy Taylor, deprived of his benefice 
and the privileges of his profession, imploring relief; of 
which bishop Taylor, enlightened by the elevation of his 
episcopate, and enjoying, with the party, security and 
abundance, became ashamed, and, in his own conduct, 
published the most effectual recantation of his former opi- 
nions or sincerity i'." And, on this supposed tergiversation 
of Taylor, the writer proceeds to ground the sweeping 
censure, that " it is vain to look for liberality or forbearance 
from the members of an establishment." 

With the logical accuracy of the vulgar maxim, *' ex 
uno disce omnes;" or with the degree of Christian candour 
which the above application of it exhibits, I have, at present, 
no concern; though it is possible that Mr. Orme w^ould be 
displeased, and I am sure he would have sufficient right to 
be so, if I had reasoned, like him, from the faults or incon- 
sistency of any single individual, to the prejudice of all the 
other members of the Independent persuasion. But I am 

" Note (L). 1' Orme's Life of Owen, London, 1820, p. 102. 



LIFE OF JERE:\IV TAYLOR, D.D. 



31 



only concerned with his charges against Jeremy Taylor; 
and am anxious, therefore, to inform him — what he might 
have easily learned for himself, and what it was his duty 
to have inquired into, before he brought such a charge as 
persecution against the fair fame of any man, — that though 
bishop Taylor was a nominal member of the Irish privy 
council, there is no reason whatever to suppose that he 
took a part in the measures of any administration; that 
the administration of Ireland did not, in fact, during the 
reign of Charles the Second, persecute the dissenters ; that 
Taylor had not even an opportunity of concurring in the 
severe measures of the English government; and that no 
action of his life is known which can justly expose him to 
the suspicion of having been a persecutor himself, or having 
approved of persecution in others. That he did not write 
lun/ more about Liberty of Frophesijiug, while his former 
work was in every body's hands, and while its principles 
remained unanswered, is no very serious charge against a 
man whose time was, in many other ways, abundantly occu- 
pied. But, that he was not ashamed of his former treatise 
on this subject, is apparent from the fact, that it appears 
in a prominent situation in the successive editions of his 
controversial tracts, of which one, the second, was published 
when he was actually bishop, and amid the recent triumph 
of his party. Nor, though there are, unquestionably, some 
passages in the Liberty of Prophesying where Taylor speaks, 
rather as urging what may be said in behalf of the more 
obnoxious creeds, than as expressing his own opinion, can 
I conceive that an intelligent and candid reader will find any 
difficulty in distinguishing between such passages and those 
where he pleads (with every appearance of the deepest and 
most conscientious conviction) the common cause of all 
Christian sects under persecution. That, in so doing, he 
might be animated with the greater zeal by the circumstance 
that his own sect was thus unhappily situated, I am neither 
obliged nor inclined to deny. Nor do I conceive that this 
circumstance alone would lead a candid mind to susj)ect his 
sincere belief of those general principles on which he pro- 
ceeds ; or his anxiety, that not the church of England alone, 
but all other Christian communions, should be partakers in 
the benefit of his arguments. Had it been otherwise, indeed. 



32 LIFE OF JEREMV TAVLOR, D.D. 

he would rather, as an artful advocate, have applied himself 
to the palliation of the particular differences existing be- 
tween the Episcopalians and the Presbyterians, than have 
offended the prejudices of these last, in the pride of their 
new-blown success, by advancing principles which they were 
so little prepared to receive, and encumbering his cause 
with the patronage of those sects who were the objects of 
still greater abhorrence and alarm than his own persecuted 
communion. 

The truth is, however, that, if we consider the moment at 
which the Liberty of Prophesying appeared, and consider 
also, not only the spirit of mutual concession which it 
breathes, but the principles on which it rests, and the natural 
consequences which flow from them, we shall perceive that 
the Presbyterians were not the only party for whose instruc- 
tion it was designed, and that its object was to induce not 
only an abatement of the claims which they were then urging 
on the king, but a disposition on the king's part, and on the 
part of his advisers among the episcopal clergy, to concede 
somewhat more to those demands than their principles had 
as yet permitted them. The circumstances of the times, in 
1647, were such, indeed, as to offer a greater probability 
than at any former period of the war, that moderate counsels 
would prevail, and that an arrangement of mutual toleration 
might be adopted, which would preserve the kingly govern- 
ment, and heal, in a certain degree, the religious feuds of 
the nation. King Charles was removed from the custody of 
the parliamentaiy commissioners to what were supposed the 
more indulgent hands of Cromwell and the army. His person 
was treated with far greater respect than formerly. His 
chaplains were allowed to officiate in his presence according 
to the English Service Book ; and all parties were so situated, 
that it seemed the interest of all to court him. The parlia- 
ment and the army were at open variance ; and the two 
prevaihng sects, the Presbyterians and Independents, were 
scarcely less incensed with each other than with the episcopal 
clergy. Even these last were not yet universally ejected 
from their benefices ; and the force of private character, the 
fame of extensive learning, and, perhaps, the ties of blood 
and friendship, were of sufficient weight, till this year, to 
protect Hall in his episcopal palace at Norv/ich, and Sander- 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOH, D.D 33 

son and Hammond in their public situations at Oxford'^. 
All which seemed wanting to an accommt)dation, was to 
convince the several parties that the points in question were 
those on which they might conscientiously give way to the 
opinions or prejudices of their brethren ; and that, so far 
from being bound to destroy each other's persons, they 
might meet in the same places of worship, and conform to 
that government, and those rites (whichever of the contend- 
ing parties should be most favoured in them,) which might 
be agreed on by the king and parliament. 

That this was Taylor's own opinion, and that he desired 
his arguments to take effect on all the different parties of 
the nation, is apparent, I think, from the fact of his having 
dedicated this work to so strenuous a high churchman as 
Hatton, as well as from the anxiety whicii he expresses, not 
only that persecution for religious opinions might cease, but 
that contention about them might be suspended ; that the 
churches of Christ should be distinguished by no other 
names than those of the nations in which they were esta- 
blished ; and that each church might receive to its bosom 
men of various opinions, even as that heaven of which the 
Christian church ought to be the living image. And it is 
evident, that, if his arguments had produced their due effect 
on both sides, the main obstacle would have been removed 
to a treaty between the king and his people ; a grievous 
dissension healed in the churches ; and not only the Epis- 
copalians relieved from their immediate oppressions, but the 
opposite party preserved from those severities w^hich, on the 
restoration of kingly power, were most unwisely exercised 
against them. Meanwhile (and the observation will be 
found of some importance to justify Taylor's consistency,) 
it plainly followed from his principles, that, in points of 
themselves indifferent, (even granting that it might be 
tyranny to impose a rule,) it was causeless rebellion to 
resist a rule already imposed ; and it followed also, (which 
was still more important under the peculiar circumstances 
of the times,) that concession and moderation were to be 



•1 Hume, chap. lix. and Note (C). Bisliop Hall, Hard Measure. M^'ords- 
worth's Bi()^ai)hy, vol. v. p. 316, et seq. Ibid. p]). 3G3, 439. 



34 LIFE or JEREMY TAYLOR, D.I), 

expected at least .as much from those who desired a change, 
as from those who were content with the forms and institu- 
tions of their ancestors. 

Of Taylor's domestic concerns during this interval we 
know very little. I have already expressed my suspicions 
that a second marriage was the cause of his withdrawing 
from the king's service ; and it is certain that this event 
must have taken place before the period of which I am 
writing, since, of his three daughters, the youngest was 
married (as appears by the settlement) in 1668. 

This second wife was a Mrs. Joanna Bridges, who was 
possessed of a competent estate at Mandinam, in the parish 
of Llanguedor, and county of Carmarthen. Her mother's 
family is unknown ; but she was generally believed to be 
a natural daughter of Charles the First, when Prince of 
Wales, and under the guidance of the dissipated and licen- 
tious Buckingham. That the martyr's habits of life, at that 
time, were extremely different from those which enabled 
him, after a twenty years' marriage, to exult, while approach- 
ing the scaffold, that, during all that time, he had never, 
even in thought, swerved from the fidelity which he owed 
to his beloved Henrietta Maria, there is abundant reason 
to believe ; nor are the facts, by any means, incompatible. 
The former, indeed, rests chiefly on the authority of Mr. 
Jones's papers ; but the circumstances which he mentions 
are in part corroborated by the marriage settlement of 
bishop Taylor's third daughter, now lying before me, in 
which Joanna Taylor the elder, described as his widow and 
executrix, settles on her daughter the reversion of the 
Mandinam property ; while the existence of such a property 
and mansion is confirmed to me by the testimony of my 
kind and amiable friend, archdeacon Beynon. I regret to 
state, however, that, from the mutilated condition of the 
parish register at Llanguedor, and from the present circum- 
stances of the Mandinam property, his exertions have failed 
to procure me any further information as to Joanna Bridges, 
or her maternal ancestors. She is said, in lady Wray's 
letter, to have been brought up in much privacy by some 
relations in Glamorganshire ; to have possessed a very fine 
person, (of which, indeed, her portrait, yet preserved by the 



IJFE OF JERKMV TAYLOR, D.D. Sb 

family, is a sufficient evidence) ; and, botli in countenance 
and disposition, to Iiave displayed a striking resemblance to 
her unfortunate father. 

But, notwithstanding the splendour of such an alliance, 
there is no reason to believe that it added materially to 
Taylor's income. We have seen him, after his first im- 
prisonment, compelled to keep school for his subsistence. 
From the manner in which, when writing both to Evelyn 
and Hatton, he speaks of his " shipwreck," it is probable 
that he was not released from the consequences of his 
enterprise at Cardigan without a heavy amercement of 
his wife's estate ; and, as his school seems to have been 
broken up by his repeated imprisonments, his chief support 
must have been his literary labours, and the kindness of his 
numerous friends. 

Of these, the most eminent in rank was Richard Vauohan, 
earl of Carbery, whose seat at Golden Grove was in the 
same parish where Taylor's lot was thrown, and whose 
bounty and hospitality, during several years, appear to have 
been his chief dependence and comfort. Though now chieflv 
remembered as Taylor's patron, Vaughan was a man of 
abilities, and, in his day, of high reputation. He had served 
with distinction in the Irish wars, for his conduct in which 
he had received the Order of the Bath : he had been the 
principal military commander on the king's side in South 
Wales'" ; and he received, after the Restoration, the English 
title of lord Vaughan of Emlyn, together with the appoint- 
ment of lord president of Wales and privy counsellor. His 
character seems to have been mild and moderate; and 
though a loyalist, he had many friends among the opposite 
party. In consequence, after the fatal battle of Marston 
Moor, he was easily admitted to compound for his estates 
by the parliamentary commissioners ; and was thus in a 
situation which enabled him to befriend more effectually 
such persons of his side as had been less favourably dealt 
with. He married twice. The first wife was Frances, 
daughter of Sir John Altham of Orbey, a woman of whom 
Taylor has drawn, in her funeral sermon, a picture which, 
making all allowance for the occasion on which it was 

' Rushworth, ul)i supra, p. 30r>. 



36;; LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

preached, and the gratitude of the preacher, belongs rather 
to an angeUc than a human character. The second was 
Ahce, eleventh daughter of John Egerton, first earl of 
Bridgewater, and remarkable as being both the subject of 
much elegant eulogium from Taylor, and the original of the 
" Lady " in Milton's Comus'. In the friendship of this 
family Taylor found a happy asylum; and it was within 
their walls, and to their family and immediate neighbour- 
hood, that, when the churches were closed against his 
ministry, he delivered his yearly course of sermons. 

The next in succession of his literary labours was the 
" Apology for Authorized and Set Forms of Liturgy against 
the Pretence of the Spirit ; " the appearance of which, in its 
first and imperfect state, has been already noticed, and which 
was followed, in a very few months, by a work of greater 
bulk, and far more extensive popularity, (the first, perhaps, 
of his writings which was speedily and widely popular,) 
" The Life of Christ ; or, the Great Exemplar." 

Of the three parts into which this splendid work is 
divided, each has a separate dedication ; an engine of harm- 
less flattery, which Taylor was too grateful, or too poor, to 
omit any fair opportunity of employing. The first is in- 
scribed to his friend, lord Hatton, and the second to Mary, 
countess of Northampton ; whose husband, Spencer Comp- 
ton, earl of Northampton, had, as it appears from some of 
Taylor's expressions, been engaged, at the time of his death, 
(which took place in the battle at Hopton Heath, on the 
royal side,) in a work of a similar character. The third, in 
the first edition, was dedicated to Frances lady Carbery ; 
and, after her death, another dedication was added, in the 
third edition, to her successor, the lady Alice Egerton. 

All these dedications are in Taylor's characteristic man- 
ner. The last was, perhaps, the most difficult to compose ; 
and he has contrived in it, with great and singular felicity, 
to offer, at the same time, his congratulations to the living 
lady Carbery, and to express his regrets for her deceased 
predecessor. While he compliments his present patroness 
on her own personal advantages, he calls her attention, in 
a solemn and affecting manner, to the duties of her new 

^ Note (M). 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOU, D.D. 37 

situation ; and he avows, with courteous frankness, that her 
chief claim, thus early in their acquaintance, on his own 
affection and prayers, was her being '* in the affections of 
her noblest lord, successor to a very dear and most excellent 
person ; designed to fill those offices of piety to her dear 
pledges, which the haste which God made to glorify and 
secure her, would not permit her to finish ;" and " to bring 
new blessings to that family, which was so honourable in 
itself, and, for so many reasons, dear to him." 

In the dedication to Hat ton, the duty of obedience to 
the *' kino-" is mentioned in a manner which has led Mr. 
Bonney to believe that the Great Exemplar must have been 
written, though not published, before 1648, while Charles 
the First was yet alive. He forgets that the king of England 
never dies, and that a loyalist like Taylor regarded Charles 
the Second as his sovereign, though, at the time, under 
adversity and in exile. 

There is, however, another expression in this dedication, 
by which I am myself considerably perplexed. Taylor, at 
the end, entreats Lord Hatton to '* account him in the number 
of his relatives'' Does this mean merely his friends, or 
dependents ? — or is it to be understood in the usual sense 
of the word, and as Taylor, in other places, employed it, 
to denote an alliance by blood or marriage ? — An alliance 
by blood we can hardly suppose ; but one by marriage is 
not impossible. But to ascertain the fact, it would be 
previously necessary to ascertain the maternal relations of 
Taylor's second wife, who, of the two, is most likely to have 
been connected with the Hattons. 

The extensive popularity of the Great Exemplar appears 
to have co-operated with Taylor's natural averseness from 
controversy, to determine the character of his next pub- 
lications. 

His works, during three successive years, were entirely 
of a devotional or practical character ; consisting of a Sermon 
on the Death of the Excellent Lady Carbery ; to which is 
subjoined a long Latin inscription, probably not intended 
for her monument, but to be affixed, as usual in those days, 
to her coffin, while lying in state; — a short Catechism for 
Children; — his 27 Sermons for the Summer half-year; — 
and his Holy Living and Dying ; — the two last of which had 



38 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

been composed at the desire, and for the use of his late 
patroness, and are inscribed to her afflicted husband. 

Controversy, however, was not entirely to be avoided ; 
and, in 1654, the insulting triumph of some Roman Catholics 
over the fallen condition of the English church provoked him 
to re-examine the leading points of difference between the 
two communions, and produced the ** Real Presence and 
Spiritual of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, proved against 
the Doctrine of Transubstantiation ;" and dedicated to 
Warner, bishop of Rochester, a worthy and a wise man, 
who, even in the times of general distress, continued, from 
his scanty means, to assist the still deeper poverty of Taylor, 
and by whose counsels, as will hereafter appear, it had been 
well, in one instance, if the latter had been more implicitly 
guided. 

The church of Rome might be offended with impunity ; 
but Taylor's zeal for episcopacy about this time involved 
him with a more formidable adversary. He had, during 
this year, expanded his " Catechism for Children," already 
noticed, into the beautiful Manual which, in honour of the 
hospitable mansion of Lord Carbery, he has entitled " the 
Golden Grove." This he now published, with a preface, 
w^hich, though ostensibly calculated (and perhaps intended) 
to concihate the Protector in favour of the persecuted church 
of England, as friendly to established governments, and 
more particularly to monarch}/, contained many expressions 
which were likely to provoke, to the utmost extent, both 
the Presbyterian and Independent clergy, and some which 
Cromwell himself might reasonably conceive insidious or 
insulting. He was accordingly committed to prison ; in 
what month, or at what place, I have not been able to 
ascertain. Our whole knowledge of the fact is, indeed, 
derived from a letter from the amiable John Evelyn, of 
Say's Court, dated February 9, 1654 ; in which, while the 
writer expresses the anxiety which he had felt on the news 
of his friend's calamity, he congratulates him on being again 
at liberty*. 

When, and under what circumstances, his acquaintance 
with Evelyn had commenced, does not appear. The latter 

• Note (M). 



LIFE or JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D 39 

speaks of himself as one of his auditors, in a church in 
the city, on the 15th of April, 1654, but with no indication 
that he was at that time particularly interested in him. 
During this spring, however, the acquaintance was improved 
into a nearer and more confidential intimacy. Taylor having 
visited London, we find Evelyn, on the 18th of March, one 
of a congregation of Episcopalians, to whom he preached a 
sermon on sins of infirmity and their remedy ; and, on the 
31st of the same month, Evelyn paid him a visit, *' to confer 
with him about some spiritual matters, using him thencefor- 
ward as his ghostly father".'' His friendship, indeed, and 
his Hberality, were, from this time, anijong the chief sources 
of Taylor's happiness; since, besides the remarkable agree- 
ment which Evelyn expressed wath all Taylor's religious 
sentiments, and the countenance and comfort which the 
latter derived from the support of one so distinguished for 
station, loyalty, and piety, his wealth appears to have been 
administered with no sparing hand, for the support of his 
confessor and his family. 

Taylor's troubles, however, were not yet concluded. On 
the 18th of May there is another letter from Evelyn, written 
in great and evident distress of mind, and under the appre- 
hension of an approaching persecution, in which he pretty 
plainly intimates that the person whom he addresses was 
again in custody, and in which he urges him to publish 
something for the comfort and guidance of the devout laity, 
who, by the loss of their faithful and orthodox teachers, 
were deprived of all outward means of grace, not only in 
the case of preaching and the common prayer, but of the 
orderly administration of the sacraments ''. This letter did 
not reach Taylor, to all appearance, for several months after 
it was written. It certainly was not answered by him till 
the January follov/ing ; and had probably the same fate with 
other letters which passed at the same time through Royston's 
hands, being detained by him under the impression that a 
captive would not be allowed to receive it. 

Of this second confinement, the scene was, I apprehend, 
in Chepstow Castle. Its cause does not appear. It can 
hardly have arisen from the same publication which had 

" Noto (N). ' Noip (O). 



40 LIFE OF JERE.AIY TAYLOK, D.D. 

already been visited on him with a similar sentence ; and 
Mr. Bonney's conjecture, that lie was suspected of being 
engaged in the unfortunate and ill-contrived insurrection 
of Penruddock and Groves, in 1654, as it rests on no 
authority, is rendered improbable by the fact, that, subse- 
quent to the suppression and punishment of those unfortu- 
nate gentlemen, he was, as we have seen, at large, and 
cxercisinjr his ministerial functions in London. To some 
supposed connexion with their enterprise, the previous 
imprisonment which I have noticed, and which, till the 
publication of Evelyn's Memoirs, was unknown and unsus- 
pected, might be, with greater likehhood, ascribed. And 
it is certainly not improbable, that though the ground 
alleged, and, perhaps, the immediate occasion of that 
severity, might be the expressions in his Golden Grove, — 
yet the usurping government may have been led to notice 
such expressions, contrary to Cromwell's usual and cou- 
rageous neglect of " paper pallets," by the dangers of the 
times, and the character of Taylor as an able and dis- 
tinguished loyalist. It is, however, tolerably certain, that 
either no connexion existed between him and the insurgents 
at Salisbury, or that none such was discovered by the 
government, since he would, in that case, hardly have 
escaped so well as with a few months' confinement. 

Even his second imprisonment at Chepstow was neither 
severe nor long. In the letter to Warren, published with 
his Deus Justificatus, he says, ** I now have that liberty 
that I can receive any letters, and send any ; for the gentle- 
men under whose custody I am, as they are careful of their 
charges, so they are civil to my person^'." His amiable 
manners, no less than his high reputation for talents and 
piety, seem, at all times, to have impressed and softened 
those who were, from political and polemical considerations, 
most opposed to him. And there is also room to suspect, 
that the estate of his wife was again drawn on largely to 
conciliate the ruling powers ; and that these last were content 
to grant some degree of freedom to a learned and holy man, 
whom they had reduced to almost abject poverty. 

Neither imprisonment nor poverty, however, liad power 

^ Answer to a Letter toucliing Original Sin, vol. ix. p. 365. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAVLOU, D.D. 41 

to cramp the fertility of Taylor's genius, or to deter him 
from the expression of his sentiments, though at the risk 
of offending those whose good opinion was most valuable 
to him. Besides completing his Eviocvrog, or Series of Ser- 
mons for the whole year, by the addition of the twenty-five 
discourses which, though last published, stand first in the 
volume, he produced, at the beginning of the present year, 
his ** Unum Necessarium : or, the Doctrine and Practice of 
Repentance ; describing the necessity and measures of a 
strict, a holy, and a Christian life, and rescued from popular 
errors." 

In this work he had, as its title implies, expressed him- 
self concerning the nature of original sin, and the extent of 
man's corruption, in a manner, if not unprecedented and 
unwarrantable, at least at variance with the opinion of 
Christians in general, and more particularly of the Pro- 
testant churches ; and he appears to have felt, and not 
without reason, considerable anxiety as to the manner in 
which his work would be received by them. From the 
Calvinists he neither expected nor wished for approbation ; 
but, in order to conciliate the favour or soften the opposition 
of the members of his own communion, a single dedication 
did not appear sufficient. Besides an epistle to lord Carbery, 
he has introduced his treatise with a preface inscribed to the 
bishops of Salisbury and Rochester, and the rest of the 
clergy of the church of England, in which he strenuously, 
though with many expressions of humility and submission to 
his spiritual superiors, exculpates himself from the charge of 
heresy, or of holding language inconsistent with the liturgy 
and articles of relio'ion^. 

The apology thus made was not, however, thought suffi- 
cient. The letters from Evelyn, already referred to, though 
they prove that Evelyn himself was a convert to his friend's 
opinions, prove also that a considerable alarm was excited 
among the orthodox clergy, not only by the supposed danger 
of the doctrine thus advanced, but by the scandal to which 
their persecuted church would be exposed, if the charge of 
Pelagianism, so often brought against it, should receive 
support from the writings of one of its most distinguished 

' Preface to the Clergy of England, vol. vii. p. tdiv. 



42 LIFK OF JERKMY TAVI^OK, D.U. 

champions. Warner addressed him in a private letter of 
expostulation and argument, of which we now know nothing 
except through the answer. The venerable Sanderson, too, 
(who, though honoured and courted by the ruling party, had 
relinquished, for conscience sake, the chair of regius pro- 
fessor of divinity in Oxford), though he had by this time 
abandoned the high Calvinistic interpretation of the articles 
which in his earlier life he had defended, is said to have 
deplored, with much warmth, and even with tears, this 
departure from the cautious and scriptural decision of the 
church of England ; and to have bew^ailed the misery of the 
times, w^hich did not admit of suppressing, by authority, so 
perilous and unseasonable novelties. 

The good old man had, perhaps, never read — it may be 
thought, at least, that he had not greatly profited by the 
perusal of — the " Liberty of Prophesying." But it would 
be putting too harsh a construction on his words to appre- 
hend that, by the authority which he invoked, he meant the 
civil sword ; or that he desired to employ against Taylor any 
other weapons than those spiritual censures which every 
religious community has a right to exercise against its erring 
members. Be this as it may, it was fortunate for Taylor 
that persuasion and argument were the only engines in the 
professor's power ; and these he sought for in two letters to 
Thomas Barlow, then fellow of Queen's College, Oxford, 
and librarian of the Bodleian, afterwards Sanderson's own 
successor in the see of Lincoln, whom he exhorted, with 
much earnestness, though without success, to undertake the 
refutation of Taylor's error^. 

Taylor, in the meantime, was not idle in his own defence. 
While a prisoner at Chepstow, he produced the " Further 
Explication of the Doctrine of Original Sin," which now 
constitutes the seventh chapter of the *' Unum Necessarium," 
but was at first published separately, with the dedication to 
the bishop of Rochester, which still accompanies it. 

This tract, indeed, he in the first instance submitted to 
the inspection, correction, or suppression of the prelate to 
whom it is inscribed, in a letter, hitherto unpubhshed, the 

^ Barlow's Letter to "Walton. Lite of v'^^andersou. Wordsworth, Eccl. 
Biog. vol. V. p. 548. Kennet's Register, p. 6*33. 



LIFE OF JEKKMV TAVJ^OR, D.D. 43 

autograph of which is now before me. Warner (as appears 
from an ahnost illegible and very imperfect draught of his 
answer on the back) expressed himself, perhaps with reason, 
still unsatisfied ; and refused to revise a work, which, in 
fact, was a reinforcement of the previous offensive position. 
The otfer, however, is at least an evidence, that, if Taylor 
were wroncr, he was not unwillino: to be instructed, and that 
the error of his opinions was not rendered more offensive 
by a self-confident and dogmatical temper. With such a 
disposition he might err, but he could hardly be an heretic. 
The letter is as follows : — 

" RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD. 
" My very good Lord, — I wrote to your Lor^'. about 
a fortnight or three weekes since, to w^'. letter, although I 
believe an answer is upon the road, yet I thought fitt to 
prevent the arrival of by this addresse ; together with which 
I send up to Royston a little tract, giving a further account 
of that doctrine which some of my brethren were lesse pleased 
with. And although I find, by the letters of my friends 
from thence, that the storme is over, and many of the 
contradictors professe themselves of my opinion, and pretend 
that they were so before, but thought it not fit to owne it, 
yet I have sent up these papers, by which (according to that 
counsel which your LorP. in your prudence and charity was 
pleased to give me) I doe intend, and I hope they will effect 
it, [to] give satisfaction to the church and to my jealous 
brethren : besides, possibly, they may prevent a trouble to 
me, if peradventure any man should be tarn otiose negotiosus 
as to write against me. For I am very desirous to be per- 
mitted quietly to my studies, that I may seasonably publish 
the first three books of my Cases of Conscience, which 1 am 
now preparing to the presse, and by which, as I hope to 
serve God and the church, so I doe designe to doe some 
honour to your Lor^., to whose charity and noblenesse I and 
my relatives are so much obliged. I have given order to 
Royston to consigne these papers into your Lor^'.'s hands, 
to peruse, censure, acquit, or condemne, as your Lor^. pleases. 
If the written copy be too troublesome to read, your Lor^. 
may receive them from the presse, and yet suppresse them 
before the publication, si miims prohentur. But if, by your 



44 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

Lori'.'s letters, which I suppose are coming to mee, I find 
any permission or coimsel from your Lor^. that may cause 
mc to alter or adde to what is sent up, I will obey it, and 
give Royston order not to post so fast, but that I may 
overtake him before these come abroad. But I was upon 
any termes willing to be quit of these, that I might no 
longer suffer or looke upon any thing that may retard my 
more beloved intendment. 

*' My Lord, I humbly begge your blessing upon 

" Your LorP.'s most obliged and most affectionate 
and thankful Servant, 

'^ Mandinam, November 17, 1G55." " JER. TAYLOR.'* 

From this letter it appears that he was already released 
from prison, and at his wife's house of Mandinam. And 
since, from his published answer to Warner, annexed to 
the ** Deus Justificatus," it is certain that he was still in 
Chepstow Castle about the middle of September, we may, 
probably enough, state the duration of his confinement from 
May to October inclusive. Nor is this the only interesting 
fact which this letter gives us to understand. It represents 
him as already considerably advanced in the composition of 
his " Ductor Dubitantium ;" and proves to us, through how 
many years of his life, and with what a devoted earnestness, 
he was employed on the work to which he looked forward 
as the surest pledge of his future celebrity. Nor, when we 
recollect the far greater popularity enjoyed by his devotional 
works over this favourite product of his genius and industry, 
can we avoid some painful reflections on the short-sighted 
estimate often formed by the best and wisest of mankind, as 
to the celebrity and utility of their different labours. 

The following letter to Evelyn, which has been published 
by Dr. Bray, was, probably, also written from Mandinam. 
The letters to which it is an answer do not appear. 

" TO JOHN EVELYN, ESQUIRE. 

** Honour'd and Deare S"", — Not long after my 
coming from my prison, I met with your kind and friendly 
letters, of which I was very glad, not onely because they 
were a testimony of your kindnesse and affections to mee, 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 45 

but that they gave mee a most welcome account of your 
health, and (which now-a-dayes is a great matter) of your 
liberty, and of that progression in piety in which I doe 
really rejoyce. But there could not be given to mee a 
greater and more persuasive testimony of the reality of your 
piety and care, than that you passe to greater degrees of 
caution and the love of God. It is the worke of your life, 
and I perceive you betake yourselfe heartily to it. The 
God of heaven and earth prosper you and accept you ! 

" I am well pleased that you have reade over my last 
booke : and give God thanks that I have reason to believe 
that it is accepted by God and by some good men. As for 
the censure of unconsenting persons, I expected it, and 
hope that themselves will be their owne reproovers, and 
truth will be assisted by God, and shall prevaile, when all 
noises and prejudices shall be ashamed. My comfort is, 
that I have the honour to be an advocate for God's justice 
and goodnesse, and that y® consequent of my doctrine is, 
that men may speake honour of God, and meanly of them- 
selves. But I have also this last weeke sent up some papers, 
in which I make it appeare that the doctrine which I now 
have published was taught by the fathers within the first 
400 years ; and have vindicated it both from novelty and 
singularity. I have also prepared some other papers con- 
cerning this question, which I once had some thoughts to 
have published. But what I have already said, and now 
further exphcated and justified, I hope may be sufficient to 
satisfy pious and prudent persons, who doe not love to goe 
qua itur, but qua eundem est. S"", you see how good a 
husband I am of my paper and inke, that I make so short 
returns to your most friendly letters. I pray be confident, 
that, if there be any defect here, I will make it up in my 
prayers for you and my great esteeme of you, which shall 
ever be expressed in my readinesse to serve you with all 
the earnestnesse and powers of, 

Deare S% 

" Your most affectionate friend and servant, 

" November 21, 1655." " JER. TAYLOR." 



46 LIFE OK JKHEMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

This is a pious and eloquent letter ; but there are some 
parts of it which should serve as a caution to all religious 
disputants. Whatever may be thought of his peculiar 
opinions, there are few who will venture to assert that such 
a man as Taylor either embraced them rashly, or professed 
them without sincerity, or was negligent in his applications 
to the throne of grace for celestial light and assistance. 
The doctrines, however, are, it will be readily allowed by 
most men in the present day, (as it was seen and deplored 
by the wisest and most learned theologians of the age in 
which Taylor lived,) irreconcilable with the articles of the 
church which he loved and honoured, and contrary to the 
plain sense of those Scriptures which were his consolation 
and his guide. It is even probable that he w^ould never 
have entertained them, had it not been for the monstrous 
and dangerous glosses with which the truth had been 
obscured by Augustine and his followers ; by which our 
nature, instead of being " very far gone from original 
righteousness," is represented as become utterly diabolical, 
and the gracious remedy provided for the disease of all 
mankind is confined to a few favoured individuals. 

Yet these doctrines which appear to most of us, as they 
doubtless appeared to Taylor, so offensive to reason, and so 
unworthy of the Deity, were maintained by men as wise, 
perhaps, and certainly as holy, as Taylor himself, who, on 
their parts, regarded with horror his denial of absolute pre- 
destination, and of the doctrine that infants unbaptized were 
immediate objects of God's anger. Such considerations 
should not only lead us to think charitably of the persons 
with whom we differ, but should warn us against a too 
hasty condemnation of their opinions. They should warn 
us against supposing the reverse of wrong to be right ; 
and should endear to us still more the moderation, the dis- 
cretion, and the humility, with which, on these lawful and 
most mysterious subjects, our own excellent and apostolic 
church has expressed herself. There is yet one caution 
more. Taylor, as the reader will have seen, was confident 
in the truth of his hypothesis, from the persuasion that it 
manifested the goodness and justice of God, and taught men 
to " speake honour of God, and meanly of themselves." 
It is probable that, on these very same grounds, the most 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYI.Oll, D.D. 47 

vehement of his adversaries were prejudiced in favour of 
Calvinism. The inference is plain, that though it be suffi- 
cient cause to reconsider most diligently and most jealously 
whatever opinion appears to us or to others to militate 
against our natural notions of fitness and general analogy 
of Divine perfections, — yet, is it wise, in all such cases, 
to suspect that our own perceptions may be erroneous, our 
own reasoning inconsequent ; and that it becomes us to 
believe of God, not so much what we may think worthy 
of him, as what he has himself revealed concerning his 
nature and his actions. — As a commentator on Scripture, 
as a guide to the interpretation of Scripture, our reason is 
most useful and most necessary ; but Scripture, and Scrip- 
ture only, is the rule of faith ; and this is the perfection of 
reason which leads us to adhere most closely to the only 
guide which, in all necessary points of belief, is infallible. 

It appears that Evelyn, during the early part of the 
winter, renewed his application to Taylor, that he should 
undertake some work adapted to the use of Christians when 
deprived of regular ministry and the sacraments, which a 
regular ministry alone can ordinarily dispense with efficacy. 
It appears, indeed, that the former letter had been over- 
looked by Taylor in the pressure of his troubles and his 
studies, till now a second time recalled to his mind, since 
*' the distich of the departed saint '' is plainly that which is 
given in Evelyn's letter of May 1655. 

Some other correspondence, besides that which has been 
already noticed, and to which Taylor alludes, as containing 
the " vile distich of the departed saint," must at all events 
have passed, since Taylor, in the following letter, speaks of 
Evelyn's apologies for troubling him, and his offiirs of 
pecuniary assistance. The Birkenhead, whose repartee he 
mentions, was, probably, John Birkenhead, author of the 
** Mercurius Aulicus." The letter is now first given to the 
public. 

" TO JOHN EVELYN, ESQUIRE. 

" St. Paul's Converfi. 5g. 

** Deare S"", — I perceive by your symptoms how the 
spirits of pious men are affected in this sad catalysis : it is 
an evil time, and we ought not to hold our peace ; but now 
the question is, who shall speake ? Yet I am highly per- 



48 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

suaded, that, to jaood men and wise, a persecution is nothing 
but a changing the circumstance of religion, and the manner 
of the formes and appendages of divine worship. Pubhke 
or private is all one : the first hath the advantage of society, 
the second of love. There is a warmth and light in that ; 
there is a heate and zeale in this ; and if every person that 
can, will but consider concerning the essentials of religion, 
and retaine them severelly, and immure them as well as he 
can with the same or equivalent ceremonies, I know no 
difference in the thing, but that he shall have the exercise, 
and, consequently, the reward of other graces, for which, if 
he lives and dies in prosperous dayes, he shall never be 
crowned. But the evills are, that some will be tempted to 
quit their present religion, and some to take a worse, and 
some to take none at all. It is a true and a sad story ; but 
oportet esse hareses, for so they that are faithful shall be 
knowne; and I am sure He that hath promised to bring 
good out of evil, and that all things shall co-operate to the 
good of them that feare God, will verify it concerning perse- 
cution. But concerning a discourse upon the present state 
of things in relation to soules and our present duty, I agree 
w^ith you that it is very fitt it were done, but yet by some- 
body w^ho is in London, and sees the personal necessities 
and circumstances of pious people. Yet I was so far per- 
suaded to do it myselfe, that I had amassed together divers 
of my papers useful to the worke ; but my Cases of Con- 
cience call upon me so earnestly, that I found myselfe not 
able to beare the cries of a clamorous conference. S"", I 
thank you for imparting to me the vile distich of the dear 
departed saint. I value it as I doe the picture of deformity 
or a devil ; the art may be good, and the gift faire, though 
the thino; be intolerable ; but I remember that when the 
Jesuits, sneering and deriding our calamity, shewed this 
sarcasme to my lord Lucas, Birkenhead being present, 
replied as tartly, * It is true our church wants a head now ; 
but if you have charity as you pretend, you can lend us one, 
for your church has had two and three at a time.' S^ I 
knowe not when I shall be able to come to London ; for our 
being stripped of the little reliques of our fortune remaining 
after y^ shipwrecke, leaves not cordage nor sailes sufficient 
to beare me thither. But I hope to be able to commit to 



LITE OF JEHEMV TAYLOR, D.D. 49 

tlio picsse my first bookes of Conscience by Easter time; 
and then, if I be able to get up, I shall be glad to wayte 
upon you; of whose good I am not more sollicitous than 
I am joyful that you so carefully provide for it in your best 
interest. I shall only give you the same prayer and blessing 
that St. John gave to Gains ; * Beloved, I wish that you may 
be in health and prosper ;' and your soule prospers ; for so, 
by the rules of the best rhetorike, the greatest affaire is put 
into a parenthesis, and the biggest businesso into a post- 
script. S"", I thankc you for your kind expressions at the 
latter end of your letter : you have never troubled mee, 
neither can I pretend to any other returne from you but 
that of your love and prayers. In all things else I doe 
but my duty, and I hope God and you will accept it; and 
that, by means of his own procurement, he wdll, some way 
or other (but how I know not yet,) make provisions for mee. 
S', I am, in all heartinesse of affection, 

'' Your most affectionate friend and 

minister in the Lord Jesus, 

" JER. TAYLOR"." 

Taylor's poverty, however, was either not so great as he, 
at this moment, apprehended it would be, or the kindness 
of his friends enabled him to enjoy, much sooner than he 
had expected, the happiness of their society. His acknow- 
ledgments to Warner, in the letter already given, and the 
letter which now follows to Sheldon, are proofs that he had 
other friends besides Evelyn, both anxious, and, in some 
degree, able to render him pecuniary assistance. Sheldon, 
it will be recollected, as warden of All Souls, had opposed 
Taylor's election to a fellowship. It is pleasing to find them 
now reconciled. The letter is without date ; but the amount 
of the progress which the writer professes to have made in 
his Ductor Dubitantium forbids us to place it later "". 

" TO DR. SHELDON. 

"Dear Sir, — I received yours, dated November 5, in 
which I find a continued and enlarged expression of that 

'' Evelyn Tapers, ined. 

'^ This letter was co])ied by Dr. Birch into his Collection of Letters. Brit. 
]Mus. I\iSS. Donat. 4162. art. 19. 



50 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

kindness with which you have always assisted my condition 
and promoted my interest. Two debts you are pleased to 
forgive me ; one of money, the other of unkindness. I thank 
you for both ; but this latter debt was contracted when I 
understood not you, and less understood myself; but I dare 
say there was nothing in it but folly and imprudence. But 
I will not do it so much favour as to excuse it. If it w^as 
displeasing to you then, it is much more to mee now that I 
know^ of it. 

" Sir, I will be sure, by the grace of God assisting me, 
that Mr. Royston shall pay in ten pounds to your nephew, 
Mr. Joseph Sheldon, before Candlemass. If you please in 
the interim to send to him the bond, or any other powder to 
discharge me, you will much oblige me. But, Sir, I desire 
that, by a letter from you to me, you will be pleased, on 
receipt of that money, to disoblige and free my duty and 
conscience, for that is the favour and the peace I desire in 
this particular. Sir, I am to thank you for the prudent and 
friendly advice you w^ere pleased to give me in your other 
letter relating to my great undertaking in Cases of Conscience. 
I have only finished the first part yet ; the praecognita and 
the generals. But in that and the remaining parts I will 
strictly observe your caution. Sir, though it hath always 
been my fortune to be an obliged person to you, and [I] now 
have less hope than ever of being free from the great variety 
of your endearments, yet I beg of you to add this favour, — 
to think that I am all that to you which you can wish, save 
only that I cannot express how much I love and how much 
I honour you. Sir, I beg also your prayers, and the con- 
tinuance of your kind affection to, 

"Dear Sir, 
" Your most affectionate and obliged friend and servant, 

" JER. TAYLOR." 

From whatever quarter he obtained the means of his 
journey, it is certain, however, that Taylor visited London ; 
for, on the 12th of April, he dined with Evelyn at Sayes 
Court, in company with Berkeley, Boyle, and Wilkins, and 
occupied with them in the discussion and examination of 



LIFE OF JF.REArV TAYLOR, T3.D. 51 

philosophical and mechanical subjects'^. Of this visit, he, 
four days after, speaks with lively and natural delight in the 
following letter ; in which, however, as will be observed, 
while complimenting the taste of his friend, he does not 
foro^et to mino-le Christian caution and rebuke with his 
felicitations. 

" TO JOHN EVELYN, ESQUIRE. 

" April 16, 1656. 

" Honoured and Deare S"^, — I hope your servant 
brought my apology with him, and that I already am par- 
doned, or excused in your thoughts, that I did not returne an 
answer yesterday to your friendly letter. S"", I did believe 
myselfe so very much bounde to you for your so kind, so 
friendly reception of mee in your Tuscnlamun, that I had 
some little wonder upon mee when I saw you making excuses 
that it was no better. 8% I came to see you and your lady, 
and am highly pleased that I did so, and found all your 
circumstances to be an heape and union of blessings. But 
I have not either so great a fancy and opinion of the 
prettinesse of your aboad, or so low an opinion of your 
prudence and piety, as to thinke you can be any wayes 
transported with them. I know the pleasure of them is 
gone off from their height before one month's possession ; 
and that strangers, and seldome seers, feele the beauty of 
them more than you who dwell with them. I am pleased, 
indeed, at the order and the cleannesse of all your outward 
things ; and look upon you not onely as a person, by way of 
thankfulnesse to God for his mercies and goodnesse to you. 
specially obliged to a great measure of piety, but also as 
one who, being freed in great degrees from secular cares 
and impediments, can, without excuse and allay, wholly 
intend what you so passionately desire, the service of God. 
But, now I am considering yours, and enumerating my owne 
pleasures, I cannot but adde that, though I could not choose 
but be delighted by seeing all about you, yet my delices 
were really in seeing you severe and unconcerned in these 
things, and now in finding your affections wholly a stranger 
to them, and to communicate with them no portion of your 

^ See below. Note (P). 



52 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

passion but such as is necessary to him that uses them or 
receives their ministries. S"", I long truly to converse with 
you ; for I doe not doubt but in those liberties we shall both 
goe bettered from each other. For your Ijucretius, I perceive 
you have suffered the importunity of too kind friends to 
prevaile with you. I will not say to you that your Lucretius 
is as far distant from the severity of a Christian as the faire 
Ethiopian was from the duty of B^'. Heliodorus ; for indeede 
it is nothing but what may become the labours of a Christian 
gentleman, those things onely abated which our evil age 
needes not ; for which also I hope you either have by notes, 
or will by preface prepare a sufficient antidote : But since 
you are ingag'd in it, doe not neglect to adorne it, and take 
what care of it it can require or neede ; for that/ neglect 
will be a reproofe of your own act, and looke as if you 
did it with an unsatisfied mind, and then you may make 
that to be whcUy a sin, from which onely by prudence and 
charity you could before be advised to abstain. But, S"", if 
you will give me leave, I will impose such a penance upon 
you for your publication of Lucretius, as shall neither dis- 
please God nor you ; and since you are buisy in that which 
may minister directly to learning, and indirectly to error or 
the confidences of men, who of themselves are apt enough to 
hide their vices in irreligion, I know you will be willing, and 
will suffer your selfe to be intreated, to imploy the same pen 
in the glorifications of God, and the minlsteries of eucharist 
and prayer. S"", if you have M^""* Silhon de V Immortalite de 
/'Ante, I desire you to lend it mee for a weeke ; and believe 
that I am in great heartiness and dearenesse of affection, 

"Deare S^ 
" Your obliged and most affectionate friend and servant, 

*' JER. TAYLORS" 

On the sixth and seventh of the following month, we 
find Evelyn bringing to Taylor a young Frenchman, a pro- 
selyte to the English church and a candidate for orders, for 
his examination and recommendation to a bishop. Taylor, 
being well satisfied with him, did accordingly recommend 

* Evelyn Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 102. 



LIFE OF JEUEMY TAYLOU, D.D. 53 

him to some Irish prelate whom Evelyn calls the bishop ol' 
Meath, then living in abject distress in London, and to 
whom the fees paid by Evelyn were a matter of charity. 
'* To that necessity," he naturally exclaims, " were our 
clergy reduced ^." 

Long after this Taylor does not appear to have remained 
in London. His next letter is from Wales, and obviously in 
answer to one now lost, in which the same friend to whose 
regard he w^as so much indebted appears to have offered 
him, on the part of Mr. Thurland, an asylum in the neigh- 
bourhood of London. Mr. afterwards Sir Edward Thurland, 
and one of the barons of the Exchequer, was an eminent 
lawyer, and author of a work on Prayer ; on which Evelyn 
sent him a letter, published in the interesting collection to 
which I have so often had occasion to refer. His offer, 
whatever it were, seems to have been a liberal one, since 
Taylor speaks of it as rendering a change of residence not 
impossible to him. The letter is interesting in itself, as dis- 
playing Taylor's character and sentiments under the pressure 
of a heavy affliction : and it also seems to fix pretty accu- 
rately the appearance of his " Deus Justificatus." 

" TO JOHN EVELYN, ESQUIRE. 

" July 19, IGSfi. 

" Deare S"", — I perceive the greatnesse of y"^ affections 
by your diligence to inquire after and to make use of any 
opportunity [which] is offered whereby you may oblige mee. 
Truly, S*^, I doe continue in my desires to settle about 
London, and am only hindered by my Res angusta dorni ; 
but hope in God's goodnesse that he will create to mee 
such advantages as may make it possible ; and when I am 
there, I shall expect the daily issues of the Divine Pro- 
vidence to make all things else well ; because I am much 
persuaded that, by my abode in y^ voisinage of London, 
I may receive advantages of society and bookes to enable 
mee better to serve God and the interest of soules. I have 
no other designe but it ; and I hope God will second it with 
liis blessing. S"", I desire you to present my thankcs and 

' Note (P). 



54 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOU, D.D. 

service to Mr. Thurland ; his society were argument enough 
to make mee desire a dwelling thereabouts, but his other 
kindnesses will also make it possible. I would not be 
troublesome ; serviceable I would faine be, usefuU, and de- 
sircable ; and I will endeavour it if I come. S"", I shall, 
besides what I have already said to you, at present make no 
other returne to Mr. Thurland ; till a little thing of mine be 
publike, which is now in Royston's hands, of Original Sin ; 
the evils of which doctrine I have now laid especially at y^ 
Presbyterian doore, and discours'd it accordigly, in a mis- 
sive to y^ countesse dowager of Devonshire. When that is 
abroad, I meane to present one to Mr. Thurland ; and send 
a letter with it. I thanke you for your Lucretius. I wished 
it with mee sooner ; for, in my letter to y® countesse of 
Devonshire, T quote some things out of Lucretius, w'' for 
her sake I was forced to English in very bad verse, because 
I had not your version by mee to make use of it. Royston 
hath not yet sent it mee downe, but I have sent for it : and 
though it be no kindness to you to reade it for its owne 
sake, and for the worthinesse of the worke; because it 
deserves more ; yet, when I tell you that I shall, besides 
the worth of the thing, value it for the worthy author's 
sake, I intend to represent to you, not onely the esteeme 
I have of your worthinesse, but the love also I doe and ever 
shall beare to y*" person. Deare Sir, I am in some little 
disorder by reason of the death of a little child of mine, 
a boy that lately made us very glad : but now he rejoyces 
in his little orbe, while we thinke, and sigh, and long to be 
as safe as he is. S"^, when your Lucretius comes into my 
hands, I shall be able to give you a better account of it. 
In y® mean time I pray for blessings to you and your deare 
and excellent lady : and am, 

" Deare Sir, 

" Your most affectionate and endeared friend and servant, 

" JER. TAYLOR e." 

The following letter touches on a deficiency in the public 
service of the English church, which has been often lamented, 

2 Evelyn Papers, inedit. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAVLOH, D.D. 55 

but is easier to lament than repair. Taylor himself, to judge 
from the few specimens which he has given of religious 
poetry in a metrical form, — for, in a more enlarged sense 
of the term, all his devotional writings are poetry, — would 
have fallen into the errors, as well as rivalled the beauties, 
of Cowley. Evelyn, though of genius far inferior, (indeed, 
with all his virtues and accomplishments, genius can hardly 
be said to have entered into his character,) would, perhaps, 
have been more fortunate. His ear for music was good, and 
highly cultivated ; he was sincerely pious ; and the general 
simplicity of his style would have been in his favour, in an 
undertaking where, by a singular fatality, Addison has suc- 
ceeded better than either Pope, Dryden, or Milton. The 
praises of Evelyn's Lucretius which follow, may, perhaps, 
appear exaggerated. But some allowance must be made 
for the partiality of friendship, and the gratitude of one 
who had just received a present from his patron. Evelyn's 
translation, however, is by no means a con temp table work ; 
and he is fairly entitled to the credit of having transfused 
the sense, if not all the spirit, of his original, into harmonious 
English verses. 

" TO JOHN EVELYN, ESQUIRE. 

'* Deare Sir, — At last I have got possession of that 
favour you long since designed to mee ; — your Lucretius. 
Sir, shall I tell you really how I am surprised ? — I did believe 
(and you will say I had some reason) that Lucretius could 
not be w^ell translated. I thought you would doe it as well 
as any one, but I knew the difficulty, ex parte rei, was almost 
insuperable. But, Sir, I rejoyce that I find myself deceived : 
and am pleased you have so wittily reprov'd my too hasty 
censure. Mee thinkes now, Lucretius is an easy and smooth 
poet, and that it is possible for the same hand to turn Aris- 
totle into smooth verse. But, Sir, I pray tell mee why you 
did so grudge your annotations to the publike ? I am sure 
you neede not blush at them ; but you may well chide your- 
self for offering to conceale them. Sir, you know I was not 
apt to counsel the publication of this first booke : but I 
should not repine (so the labour of it were over) that it were 
all done by the same hand, so perfectly doe I find myselfe 
confuted by your most ingenious pen. I was once bold with 



56 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

you ; I would faine be so once more. It is a thousand 
pitties but our Enoiish toni2;ue should be enriched with a 
translation of all the sacred hynmes which are respersed 
in all the rituals and church bookes. I was thinking to 
have beg'd of you a translation of that well-knowne hymne, 
* Dies irae, dies ilia, Solvet seclum in favilla ; ' which, if it 
were a httle changed, would be an excellent divine song : 
but I am not willing to bring trouble to you : onely it is a 
thousand times to be lamented that the beaux esprits of 
England doe not think divine things to be worthy subjects for 
their poesy and spare houres. I have commanded Royston 
to present to you two copyes of a little letter of mine to y^ c. 
dowager of Devon : of which, if you please to accept one, and 
present the other from mee to your friend Mr. Thurland, you 
will very much oblige mee, who already am, 

*' Deare Sir, 
" Your most affectionate and endeared 
"August 23, — 5C." «JER. TAYLOR"." 



TO THE SAME. 

" 9^^-^ 15, 1656. 

" Honour'd and Deare Sir, — In the midst of all 
the discouragements which I meet withall in an ignorant 
and obstinate age, it is a great comfort to mee, and I receive 
new degrees of confidence, when I find that yourself are 
not only patient of truth, and love it better than prejudice 
and prepossession, but are so ingenuous as to dare to owne 
it in despite of the contradicting voices of error and unjust 
partiality. I have lately received from a learned person 
beyond sea certaine extracts of the Easterne and Southerne 
Antiquities, which very much confirme my opinion and 
doctrine ; for the learned man was pleased to expresse great 
pleasure in the reasonablenesse of it and my discourses 
concerning it. Sir, I could not but smile at my owne 
weaknesses, and very much love the candour and sweetnesse 
of your nature, that you were pleased to endure my English 

" E^ clyn Pajjcrs, iued. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 



57 



poetry: but I could [not] be removed from my certaine 
knovvledoe of my owne greatest weaknesses in it : but if 1 
could have had your Lucretius when 1 had occasion to use 
those extractions out of it, I should never have asked any 
man's pardon for my weake version of them; for I would 
have used none but yours, and then I had beene beyond 
censure, and could not have needed a pardon. But, Sir, 
the last papers of mine have a fate like your Lucretius : 
I meane so many errata's made by the printers, that, because 
I had not any confidence by the matter of my discourse and 
the well-handling of it, as you had by the happy reddition 
of your Lucretius, I have reason to beg your pardon for the 
imperfection of the copy. But I hope the printer will make 
amends in my Rule of Conscience, which I find hitherto he 
does with more care. But, Sir, give me leave to aske, why 
you will suffer yourselfe to be discouraged in the finishing 
Lucretius ? They who can receive hurt by the fourthe booke 
understand the Latin of it; and I hope they who will be 
delighted with your English, will also be secur'd by your 
learned and pious annotations, which I am sure you will 
give us along with your rich version. Sir, I humbly desire 
my service and great regards to be presented by you to 
worthy Mr. Thurland : and that you will not faile to re- 
member mee when you are upon your knees. I am very 
desirous to receive the * dies ii'ao, dies ilia' of your transla- 
tion; and, if you have not yet found it, upon notice of it 
from you I will transmit a copy of it. Sir, I pray God 
continue your health and his blessinges to you and your 
deare lady and pretty babies ; for which I am daily obliged 
to pray, and to use all opportunities by which I can signify 
that I am, 

• " Deare Sir, 

" Your most affectionate and endeared servant, 

" JER. TAYLOR'." 

In all these letters, it may be observed with how much 
anxiety and uneasiness he contemplated the opposition 
made to his Doctrine of Original Sin, and the remonstrances 

■ Evelyn Pajicrs, iued. 



58 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

addressed to him on the subject by the most eminent persons 
in his own communion. The same feeling is betrayed in the 
dedication of the " Deus Justificatus," ah'eady so frequently 
alluded to ; and which, together with a letter addressed to 
himself by Warner in the course of the preceding year, and 
two letters in answer to that learned prelate, he published a 
short time before the date of his last letter to Evelyn. He 
there enlarges with some asperity on the unfavourable re- 
ception which his former work on Repentance had met with, 
not only from the Presbyterians, but from some of those 
" to whom he gave and designed his labours, and for whose 
sake he was willing to suffer the persecution of a suspected 
truth/' The opposition which he had met with, he com- 
plains, was not open, inasmuch as no man had, as yet, 
appeared in public against his doctrine, but that there were 
many who " entered into the houses of the rich and honour- 
able, and whispered secret oppositions and accusations rather 
than arguments." 

'* Madam," he continues, " I know the arts of these 
men; and they often put me in mind of what was told me 
by Mr. Sackvill, the late earl of Dorset's uncle, that the 
cunning sects of the world (he named the Jesuits and the 
Presbyterians) did more prevail by whispering to ladies, 
than all the church of England and the more sober Pro- 
testants could do by fine force and strength of argument." 

The man who writes thus (however he may profess, as 
he does in another part of the same dedication, that, " if 
any man differed from him in opinion, he is not troubled at 
it," and that men " ought to love alike, though they do not 
understand alike,") is evidently suffering under contradiction 
which he did not expect, and which he has not learned very 
well to bear. But Taylor was poor and persecuted, — neither 
of them circumstances which improve the temper. He was, 
moreover, at this time under the pressure of a severe domestic 
affliction ; and we may easily forgive to the afflicted parent 
a peevishness, which is less excusable in a practised dis- 
putant, and one who, by the promulgation of an unusual 
opinion, had, as if by choice, laid himself open to contra- 
diction. 

The " Deus Justificatus" is the only work which was 
pubUshed in this year with Taylor's name, or which can be 



LIFE OF JFllEMY TAYLOR, D.D. 59 

ascertained with any degree of certainty to be his composi- 
tion. As I have, however, had the misfortune to find myself 
opposed to the judgment of some of my ablest and most 
valued friends, in refusing to the " Treatise on Artificial 
Handsomeness" a place in the present collection, it is, at 
least, my duty to give some account of that work, and of 
the sort of evidence on which it has been generally attri- 
buted to Jeremy Taylor. 

It first appeared in 1656, in a small volume printed by 
Royston, Taylor's usual publisher, without the author's 
name, and, whimsically enough, adorned with the same 
frontispiece of a woman, with a sun on her breast, pointing 
upwards to heaven, and trampling on a whole toilet of 
ornaments, mirrors, and patches, which is prefixed to the 
first edition of " The Ladies' Calling." There are even 
some peculiarities in the method of employing italics which 
correspond with the general practice observed throughout 
that work, and some slight similarities of style, though by 
no means sufficient to lead us to attribute the two works to 
the same author. The preface, indeed, of the '" Artificial 
Handsomeness" expressly assures us, that this last was not 
only occasioned, but chiefly composed, by a lady, — an 
assertion which has been thoTight to be belied by the style 
of the composition and the learning which it displays. The 
latter, I confess, does not appear to me extraordinary, or, in 
that learned age, such as might not, very probably, have 
been attained by many well-educated females. It chiefly 
displays itself in a readiness in quoting the Scriptures ; in 
a familiarity with the popular ascetic writers of the day, 
and in a few references to ancient fathers ; to which, it may 
be observed, the fair disputant was guided by the very 
arguments of those English divines whom she endeavours 
to prove mistaken. Still, however, it has not the appear- 
ance of a woman's composition ; though I must repeat, that 
a far less extent of learning, than was possessed by Jeremy 
Taylor, was competent to all the authorities and illustrations 
on which so much stress has been laid, and which have been 
supposed so plainly to designate him as the author. 

In 1662, however, while Taylor was yet alive, another 
edition appeared, with the initials on the title-page, " J.T. 
D. D.," which Kennet (whose critical acumen is, indeed. 



60 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

good for nothing, but who is a competent evidence as to the 
general opinion which prevailed in his time,) supposes to 
stand for " Jeremy Taylor, Doctor of Divinity'' ;" and it is 
also certain that Taylor employed the same signature in the 
title-page to the first edition of his beautiful Essay on 
Friendship. 

Lastly ; in the epistle dedicatory, prefixed to the third 
edition, in 1701, — it is described as the work of " a late 
learned Bishop," — while Anthony Wood, who, though like 
Kennet, utterly without taste or critical discrimination, 
was, still more than him, a diligent collector and careful 
examiner of literary history, has inserted it, without any 
apparent scruple, in his list of Taylor's writings. And many 
considerable modern critics have been induced, by these 
reasons and by the supposed striking similarity of its style 
to that of his acknowledged works, to support his claim to 
it with a confidence and zeal which, under other circum- 
stances, I should hardly have thought myself justified in 
opposing. 

On the other hand, it may be observed, that it was by 
no means an unexampled deception in the booksellers of the 
seventeenth century to affix, without sufficient authority, or 
even against their better knowledge, the names of eminent 
persons to works of which those persons were altogether 
guiltless. Though Taylor was alive in 1662, he was then in 
Ireland, and little likely to interest himself in the refutation 
of a charge which, if he ever heard it, he, perhaps, would 
think ridiculous. 

Wood is not consistent with himself in placing this 
work among his writings, since he elsewhere, with equal 
confidence, ascribes it to Gauden ; and my friend, Mr. Bliss, 
whose authority is deservedly eminent on all such questions, 
is disposed to take the credit, such as it is, away from both, 
and to class it among the productions of Obadiah Walker ^ 

On the resemblance or dissimilarity of style, when the 
subject is so different from those which, in other instances, 
have employed Taylor's genius, it would be unsafe to give 
a positive opinion. The whole treatise is, undoubtedly, an 



Kcnuet's Register, T8T. 



LTFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.I). 61 

ingenious piece of special pleading in a bad and foolish 
cause ; and it is distinguished by a vivacity of diction and 
illustration which, though it is in some degree a charac- 
teristic of all the satirical writings of that age, may not 
unfrequently remind the reader of the language of Taylor's 
controversial treatises. But, for the occasional bursts of 
passion and sublimity which, in his avowed works, flow from 
him as if in spite of himself : for the ardent piety which was 
inherent in his hourly thoughts and lightest expressions ; 
for the strains of affecting eloquence, with which he is ever 
anxious to draw men from questions of less importance to 
practical devotion and holiness ; we may search throughout 
the " Artificial Handsomeness" in vain. Nor are these the 
strongest arguments against supposing him its author. 
That which with me weighs most of all, is found in the 
subject of the work itself, which is a formal defence of 
painting the face, a practice obviously inconsistent with the 
ascetic opinions to which he was through life inclined, and 
one which he himself, with perhaps too great severity, has 
classed in his '" Holy Living," in the same category with 
" singular and affected walking, proud, nice and ridiculous 
gestures of the body, lascivious dressings," and the other least 
equivocal arguments of a worldly and immodest character. 
" Menander in his comedy," (he elsewhere observes,) " brings 
in a man turning out his wife from his house, because she 
stained her hair yellow, which was then the beauty. 

Nay t^9r cc^' oiac-jv raJvoi' rhv yvvcuKX ya,^ 
T»jv ffa)<p^ov ou O'ii TUi r^i^cc; ^av^cc; "TTotuv. 

A luise woman should not paint. A studious gallantry in 
clothes cannot make a v/ise man love his wife the better. 

" 'E/g Toug T^ayudo-jg y^^7i(ri/j,\ o-j-k sig rhv [3ihv, said the comedy. 
Such gaieties are fit for tragedies, but not for the uses 
of life. 

" Indeed, the outward ornament is fit to take fools, 
but they are not worth the taking : but she that hath a 
wise husband, must entice him to an eternal dearness, by 
the veil of modesty and the grave robes of chastity, the 
ornament of meekness, and the jewels of faith and charity. 
She must have no fucus hut blushings, her brightness must 
be pure, and must shine round about with sweetness and 



62 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

friendship, and she shall be pleasant while she lives, and 
desired when she dies. If not, 



*Oy yoi^ fiiTi^st; po^tuv tmv Ix. Tlii^i'/i; — 

" Her P-rave shall be full of rottenness and dishonour, and her 
memory shall be worse after she is dead""." Who will, after 
this, believe that Jeremy Taylor can have become the patron 
of ceruse and antimony ? 

On the whole, however, as a report certainly began to 
prevail in his life-time, that he v/as the author of this whim- 
sical treatise, I am inclined to account for this report, by 
ascribing its composition to some one, whose intimacy with 
him was such, as to render it likely that he had seen and 
revised it in the manuscript, or even that he had been an 
agent in transmitting it to the printer. Nor can I fix on any 
hypothesis more likely, or which accords so well with the 
declaration prefixed to the first edition, as that it was the 
work of Katherine Philips, who was, as will be hereafter 
shown, the Oriiida of Taylor's friendship, and who had 
sufficient opportunity of studying his style to produce even 
a better imitation than appears to me to be afforded by the 
dialogue under consideration. To say the truth, I little care 
who may have written it, provided it does not pass for 
Taylor's". 

The chastening hand of providence was not yet with- 
drawn from Taylor's domestic comforts, as appears from an 
affecting letter which, though the copy in the British 
Museum has no superscription, I am strongly inclined, from 
the internal evidence which it displays of intimacy between 
the parties, no less than the mention of Mr. Thurland which 
occurs in it, to consider as also addressed to Evelyn. 

" Deare Sir, — I know you will either excuse or acquit, 
or at least pardon mee that I have so long seemingly neg- 
lected to make. a returne to your so kind and friendly letter ; 
when I shall tell you that I have passed through a great 
cloud which hath wetted mee deeper than the skin. It hath 
pleased God to send the small poxe and feavers among my 

"* Holy Living, vol. v. p. 105. Sermon on the INfarriasfe Ring, p. ii. vol. v. 
pp. 277, 27«. 
« Note (Q), 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 63 

children ; and I have, since I received your last, buried two 
sweet, hopeful boyes ; and have now but one sonne left, 
whom I intend, if it please God, to bring up to London be- 
fore Easter, and then I hope to waite upon you, and by your 
sweet conversation and other divertisements, if not to alleviate 
my sorrow, yet, at least, to entertain myself and keep me 
from too intense and actual thinkings of my trouble. Dear 
S"", will you doe so much for mee as to beg my pardon of Mr. 
Thurland, that I have yet made no returne to him for his so 
friendly letter and expressions. S'*, you see there is too 
much matter to make excuse ; my sorrow will, at least, 
render me an object of every good man's pity and com- 
miseration. But, for myself, I bless God, I have observed 
and felt so much mercy in this angry dispensation of God, 
that I am almost transported, I am sure, highly pleased 
with thinking how infinitely sweet his mercies are when his 
judgments are so gracious. S"", there are many particulars in 
your letter which I would faine have answered ; but, still, 
my little sadnesses intervene, and will yet suffer me to write 
nothing else : but that I beg your prayers, and that you 
will still own me to be, 

" Deare and Honoured Sir, 
" Your very affectionate friend and hearty servant, 

" Feb. 22, ICof." " JER. TAYLOR ^" 

In this letter, the style and sentiments of which are so 
characteristic, that there can be no doubt of its authenticity, 
there are some particulars which call for further notice. 
The two children whom he here mentions as taken from him 
" by small pox and fevers," must, in all probability, have 
died since the former whose loss he deplored in his letter to 
Evelyn, of July 19, — inasmuch as, in that letter, he does 
not mention (what he would probably have done had the 
disease been the small pox), the infection, or danger of 
infection of any other person of his family. The tradition, 
likewise, of the neighbourhood of Golden Grove (as I am 
assured by archdeacon Beynon,) concurs with the express 
statement of Rust, in his funeral sermon, in statins; that 

" Brit. Mus. MSS. Donat. 4274. art. 5L 



64 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

Taylor, before his departure from Wales, lost ^^/ee cliildreii 
in the course of a few months. It is, however, not a little 
perplexing that Taylor here speaks of himself as having 
" only one son left," while, on the other hand, the letter 
from his grand-daughter. Lady Wray, to which I have 
already more than once referred, states positively that she 
had " two uncles," who were the sons of her grandfather by 
his first marriage, and that both of them lived to manhood ; 
while she is equally positive in stating that their • mother 
died at Uppingham. These are points in which she could 
hardly have been mistaken, and I know no better or more 
probable way of reconciling them to this letter, than by 
supposing that the tv/o sons, by his first wife, w^ere at this 
time separated from him and with their mother's family, and 
that the children whose death he laments, as well as the 
surviving son whom he purposes to bring to London, and 
who appears to have been afterwards buried at Lisburn, in 
Ireland, were the fruits of his second marriage. It is 
strange, however, that he speaks of the son who was with 
him as his only one ; and it is strange, whichever hypothesis 
we adopt, that he does not say any thing of his daughters, and 
that, in none of the letters which are preserved, is any direct 
mention made of either of his wives, though there is an 
allusion of this sort where he tells Evelyn that the little 
child whom he had lost, " lately made us here very glad." 
That he was a cold, or indifferent husband, or father, I can- 
not believe, since his works abound in allusions to domestic 
happiness, which could have occurred to none vvho had not 
felt that happiness, and been worthy of it. 

" Nothing," he tells us in his ' Marriage Ring,' " can 
sweeten felicity itself but love. But, when a man dwells 
in love, then the breasts of his wife are pleasant as the 
droppings on the hill of Hermon, her eyes are fair as the 
light of heaven, she is a fountain sealed, and he can quench 
his thirst, and ease his cares, and lay his sorrow down upon 
her lap, and can retire home to his sanctuary and refectory, 
and his gardens of sweetness and chaste refreshments. No 
man can tell, but he that loves his children, how many 
delicious accents make a man's heart dance in the pretty 
conversation of those dear pledges : their childishness, their 
stammering, their little angers, their innocence, their imper- 



LIKE OV JEREMY TAVl.OU, D.D. G') 

fections, their necessities, are so many little emanations ot'joy 
and comfort to him that delights in their persons and society : 
but he that loves not his wife and children, feeds a lionness 
at home, and broods over a nest of sorrows ; and blessing 
itself cannot make him happy ; so that all the command- 
ments of God enjoining a man to ' love his wife,' are nothing 
but so many necessities and capacities of joy. She that is 
loved, is safe ; and he that loves is joyful. Love is an 
union of all things excellent ; it contains in it proportion 
and satisfaction, and rest and confidence ; and I wish that 
this were so much proceeded in, that the heathens them- 
selves could not go beyond us in this virtue, and its proper 
and its appendant happiness. Tiberius Gracchus chose to 
die for the safety of his wife ; and yet, methinks, to a 
Christian to do so, should be no hard thing ; for many 
servants will die for their masters, and many gentlemen will 
die for their friend, but the examples are not so many of 
those that are ready to do it for their nearest relations, and 
yet some there have been. Baptiste Fregosa tells of a 
Neapolitan, that gave himself a slave to the Moors that he 
might follow his wife ; and Dominicus Catalusius, the prince 
of Lesbos, kept company with his lady when she was a 
leper ; and these are greater things than to die''." 

The traditionary accounts of Taylor, which are yet to be 
recovered in South Wales, agree with Anthony Wood, in 
relating that, after the distressing visitation which his letter 
records, he left his residence near Golden Grove, and 
officiated in a small and private congregation of Episco- 
palians in London. He appears, in fact, from Evelyn's 
diary, to have been in London some part of this year ; since, 
on the 25th of March, he showed Evelyn his manuscript of the 
Cases of Conscience, now fitted for the press ; and, on June 
the seventh, we find him ofiiciating in the drawing-room 
at Say's Court, in the baptism of Evelyn's fourth son. By 
his recommendation too, (though whether that recom- 
mendation was conveyed by letter, or in a personal inter- 
view, we are not informed,) Evelyn, on the 16th of July, 
used his interest with the patron of the living of Eltham, in 
behalf a young man named Moody ^. 

y Vol. V. i». 2G9. '1 Note (K). 



66 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOU, D.D. 

But, if Taylor had really fixed himself at this time in 
London, it is remarkable that his visits to Say's Court, con- 
sidering the nature of the friendship between him and 
Evelyn, are not more frequently mentioned ; and, it is 
stranger still, if he were officiating regularly in a small con- 
gregation of loyalists, that Evelyn has not recorded his 
own occasional journeys to attend the ministry of the man 
whom he calls his spiritual father. And, notwithstanding 
Wood's assertion, I am greatly inclined to doubt that he 
ever permanently settled in the metropolis, though his 
annual visits thither may have easily given rise to the 
opinion. 

It is certain, at least, that in the letter which relates the 
death of his children, he speaks of his intended journey to 
London in terms which imply a relaxation and temporary 
escape from afflicting thoughts, rather than a permanent 
change of residence, or the undertaking of fresh duties 
and a new sphere of usefulness. Be this as it may, his 
poverty was now alleviated by the generous grant of a 
yearly pension from Evelyn, which he acknowledges in a 
letter of most eloquent gratitude, dated the fifteenth of 
May ; but, as usual, without mention of the place whence he 
wrote it. 

" TO JOHN EVELYN, ESQUIRE. 

" Ho N o u r'd a n d d e a r e S I R, — A stranger came two nights 
since from you with a letter, and a token ; full of humanity 
and sweetnesse that was, and this of charity. I know it is 
more blessed to give than to receive ; and yet as I no ways 
repine at the Providence that forces me to receive, so neither 
can I envy that felicity of yours, not onely that you can, but 
that you doe give ; and as I rejoyce in that mercy which daily 
makes decrees in heaven for my support and comfort, soe I 
doe most thankfully adore the goodnesse of God to you, whom 
he consignes to greater glories by the ministeries of these 
graces. But, Sir, what am I, or what can I doe, or what 
have I done, that you thinke I have or can oblige you ? 
Sir, you are too kinde to mee ; and oblige me not onely 
beyond my merit, but beyond my modesty. I onely can 
love you, and honour you, and pray for you : and in all this 
I cannot say but that I am behind hand with you, for I have 



LIFK or JEUKMV TA\ ],()H, D.D. 67 

tbund SO great effluxes of all your worthincsse and charities, 
that I am a debtor for your prayers, for the comfort of your 
letters, for the charity of your hand, and the alfections of 
your heart. Sir, though you are beyond the reach of my 
returnes, and my services are very short of touching you, 
yet if it were possible for me to receive any commands, 
the obeying of which might signify my great regards of you, 
I could with some more confidence converse with a person 
so obliging ; but I am oblig'd and asham'd, and unable to 
say so much as I should doe to represent myselfe to be 

" Honour'd and deare Sir, 
** Your most affectionate and obliged friend and servant, 

" May 15, 1G57/' " JER. TAYLOR ^" 

The favour which Evelyn, as alluded to in the above 
letter, had spoken of as in the power of Taylor to confer on 
him, he explained in a subsequent note to be one, to request 
which was, in itself, a pleasing mark of friendship and high 
opinion, that he would come to christen his son. The 
answer shows that Taylor was at that time occupied in his 
beautiful Essay on Friendship, and that he had commu- 
nicated his plan to Evelyn. 

'' TO JOHN EVELYN, ESQUIRE. 

" Honour'd and deare Sir, — Your messenger pre- 
vented mine but an houre. But I am much pleased at the 
repetition of the divine favour to you in the like instances ; 
that God hath given you another testimony of his love to 
your person, and care of your family ; it is an engagement 
to you of new degrees of duty, which you cannot but super- 
adde to the former, because the principle is genuine and 
prolific, and all the emanations of grace are univocal and 
alike. Sir, your kind letter hath so abundantly rewarded 
and crown'd iny innocent endeavours in my descriptions of 
Friendship, that I perceive there is a friendship beyond what 
I have fancied, and a real material worthinesse beyond the 
heights of the most perfect ideas : and I know not where to 
make my booke perfect, and by an appendix to outdoe the 

"■ Evelyn Memoirs, vol.ii. p. llf). 



68 J.llF. OF J^EKEMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

first Essay ; for when any thing shall be observed to be 
wanting in my character, I can tell them where to seek the 
substance, more beauteous than the picture, and by sending 
the readers of my booke to be spectators of your life and 
worthinesse, they shall see what I would faine have taught 
them, by what you really are. Sir, 1 shall, by the grace of 
God, wait upon you to-morrow, and doe the office you 
require ; and shall hope that your litle one may receive 
blessings according to the heartinesse of the prayers which 
I shall then, and after, make for him ; that then also I shall 
wayte upon your worthy brothers, I see it is a designe both 
of your kindnesse and of the Divine Providence. 

" Sir, 
" I am your most affectionate and most faithful 
friend and servant, 

" June 9, 1657." " JER. TAYLOR^" 

The following letter was, probably, written from Man- 
dinam. It sufficiently indicates the nature of that to which 
it was an answer. It is singular that Evelyn should have 
been harassed by doubts of this kind, and still more curious 
and interesting to see the manner in which Jeremy Taylor 
attempted to solve them. 

" TO JOHN EVELYN, ESQUIRE. 

" Aug. 29, 57. 

"Sir, — I am very glad that your good nature hath 
overcome your modesty, and that you have suffered yourself 
to be persuaded to benefit the world rather than humor 
your owne retirednesse. I have many reasons to incourage 
you, and the onely one objection which is the leaven of your 
author, * de providentia,' you have so well answered, that I 
am confident, in imitation of your great Master, you will 
bring good out of evil : and, like those wise physicians, who, 
giving aXsg/xr/xa, doe not onely expell the poyson, but 
strengthen the stomach, I doubt not but you will take all 
opportunities, and give all advantages, to the reputation and 

* Evelyn Memoirs, vol. ii. pp. 118, 119, 120. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 69 

great name of God ; and will be glad and rejoyce to imploy 
your pen for him who gave you fingers to write, and will 
[quaere ' witt?'] to dictate. 

" But, Sir, that which you check at is the immortality of 
the soule ; that is, its being in the interval before the day of 
judgment; which you conceive is not agreeable to the 
Apostle's Creed, or current of Scriptures, assigning (as you 
suppose), the felicity of Christians to the resurrection. Be- 
fore I speake to the thing I must note this, that the parts 
which you oppose to each other, may both be true. For the 
soule may be immortal, and yet not beatified, till the resur- 
rection. For to be, and to be happy or miserable, are not 
immediate or necessary consequents to each other. For the 
soule may be alive, and yet not feele ; as it may be alive and 
not understand ; so our soule, when we are fast asleepe, and 
so Nebuchadnezzar's soule, when he had his lycanthropy. 
And the Socinians, that say the soule sleepes, doe not 
suppose that she is mortal ; but, for want of her instrument, 
cannot doe any acts of life. The soule returns to God ; and 
that, in no sense is death. And I thinke the death of the 
soule cannot be defined ; and there is no death to spirits but 
annihilation. I am sure there is none that we know of or 
can understand. For, if ceasing from its operations be death, 
then it dies sooner than the body : for oftentimes it does not 
worke any of its nobler operations : in our sleepe we neither 
feele nor understand. If you answer, and say, it animates 
the body, and that is a sufficient indication of life : I reply, 
that, if one act alone is sufficient to show^ the soule to be 
alive, then the soule cannot die ; for in philosophy it is 
affirmed, that the soule desires to be re-united ; and that 
which is dead desires not : besides, that the soule can under- 
stand without the body is so certaine, (if there be any 
certainty in mystic theology), and so evident in actions 
which are reflected upon themselves, as a desire to desire, a 
will to will, a remembering that I did remember ; that, if one 
act be enough to prove the soule to be alive, the state of 
separation cannot be a state of death to the soule : because 
she then can desire to be re-united, and she can understand : 
for nothing can hinder from doing those actions which 
depend not upon the body, and in whicli the operations of 
the soule arc not organical. 



70 LIFE or JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

" But to the thing. That the felicity of Christians is 
' not till the day of judgment I doe believe next to an article 
of my creed ; and so far I consent with you : but then I 
cannot allow your consequent ; that the soul is mortal. 
That the soule is a complete [qu. complex?] substance, I am 
willing enough to allow in disputation ; though, indeed, I 
believe, the contrary ; but I am sure no philosophy and no 
divinity can prove its being to be wholly relative and incom- 
plete. But, suppose it : it will not follow that, therefore, it 
cannot live in separation. For the flame of a candle, which 
is your owne similitude, will give light enough to this en- 
quiry. The flame of a candle can consist or subsist, though 
the matter be extinct. I will not instance Licetus his lampes, 
whose flame had stood still 1500 years, viz. in Tullie's wife's 
vault. For, if it had spent any matter, the matter would 
have been exhaust long before that : if it spends none, it is 
all one as if it had none ; for what need is there of it, if there 
be no use for it, and what use if no feeding the flame, and 
how can it feed but by spending itselfe ? But the reason 
why the flame goes out when the matter is exhaust, is 
because the litle particle of fire is soon overcome by the 
circumflant aire and scattered, when it wants matter to 
keepe it in union and closenesse : but then, as the flame 
continues not in the relation of a candle's flame, when the 
matter is exhaust, yet fire can abide without matter to feed 
it : for itselfe is matter ; it is a substance. And so is the 
soule : and as the element of fire, and the celestial globes 
of fire eat nothing, but live of themselves ; so can the soule 
when it is divested of its relative, and so would the candle's 
flame, if it could get to the regions of fire, as the soule does 
to the region of spirits. 

" The places of Scripture you are pleased to urge, I shal 
reserve for our meeting or another letter ; for they require 
particular scrutiny. But one thing only, because the answer 
is short, I shall reply to ; why the apostle, preaching Jesus 
and the resurrection, said nothing of the immortality of the 
soule ? I answer, because the resurrection of the body 
included and supposed that. 2. And if it had not, yet what 
need he preach that to them which in Athens was believed 
by almost all their schooles of learning ? For, besides that 
the immortality of the soule was believed by the Gymnoso- 



J.IFK OF .IKRE.MV TAVJ.OK, D.i:). 71 

phists in India, by Trismegist in Egypt, by Job in Chalden, 
by his friends in the east, it was also confessed by Pytha- 
goras, Socrates, Plato, Thales Milesius, and by Aristotle, as 
I am sure I can prove. I say nothing of Cicero, and all the 
Latins ; and nothing of all the Christian schooles of philo- 
sophy that ever were. But when you see it in Scripture, I 
know you will no way refuse it. To this purpose are those 
words of St. Paul, speaking of his rapture into heaven. He 
purposely and by designe twice says, whether in the body or 
out of the body I know not : by which he plainly says, that 
it was no ways unlikely that his rapture was out of the 
body ; and therefore, it is very agreeable to the nature of the 
soule to operate in separation from the body. 

" Sir, for your other question, how it appeares that God 
made all things of nothing ? I answer ; it is demonstratively 
certaine; or else there is no God. For if there be a God, 
he is the one principle : — but, if he did not make the first 
thing, then there is something besides him that was never 
made ; and then there are two eternals. Now if God made 
the first thing, he made it of nothing. But, Sir, if I may 
have the honour to see your annotations before you publish 
them, I will give all the faithful and most friendly assistances 
that are in the power of, 

" Deare Sir, 

" Your most oblio:ed and affectionate Servant, 

" JER. TAYLOR'." 

This letter, undoubtedly, displays, in every part of it, a 
vigorous and richly cultivated mind ; and those arguments 
which the writer has taken from Scripture, or from his own 
natural acuteness, are sufficient, in almost every instance, to 
establish the solemn truths for which he is contending. 
Where he fails, he fails from a reliance on an unsound philo- 
sophy; from taking those things for granted which it is 
impossible to prove, — or which are now universally aban- 
doned as fabulous. 

Thus, if Evelyn had inquired from what philosophical 

• E\-('lyn Papers, iiiedit. 



72 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

presumption he learned, that the disembodied soul " desires 
to be re-united," he would have been only able to urge the 
dicta of men as io-norant as himself, or who reasoned from 
their present perceptions to what their perceptions should be 
in a different state of existence, the very fact of which was 
first to be shown before that probability could be determined 
which he here assumes as proof of the premises. The 
fable of the sepulchral lamp he, indeed, hardly ventures to 
relv on, thouo:h he instances it in a manner which would 
lead us to suspect he believed it. But, that the flame of a 
candle might, but for the accident of the circumfluant air, 
continue to burn without its fuel, — absurd as it now sounds, 
is to be laid at tlie door of that division of the four elements 
which no man, before the last century, called in question, — 
though had a sturdy reasoner demanded proofs of " the 
reo;ion of fire," of the self-nourished flame of the sun and 
stars, and the other gratuitous assumptions of the ancient 
system, — the philosopher must have been content to hold 
his peace, or to quote, (what indeed was reckoned sufficient,) 
the mere authority of Aristotle or the schoolmen. 

His reasons why St. Paul, in preaching Jesus and the 
resurrection to the Athenians, omitted all mention of the 
soul's immortality, are, however, abundantly satisfactory. 
And, though far stronger texts might be alleged in support 
of the doctrine than that in which the same apostle is 
speaking of his heavenly journey, — the probability certainly 
is, even from that text alone, that the apostle himself took 
the separate existence of the soul for granted, and believed 
it extremely possible for a man to be, and think, and even to 
acquire new ideas, without the assistance of the body. 

The argument, by which he attempts to prove that God 
created all things out of nothing, is tainted, in some degree, 
with the fault which I have already noticed, of reasoning 
from propositions as if they were axioms. He assumes it as 
a necessary definition of God, that he is the one principle of 
all things, the only Eternal ; — he then argues justly, that, if 
there were any thing which God did not make, there would 
be more Eternals than one;^ — and concludes, that in such 
case, neither of those Eternals could be God. Surely this 
is running on too fast ; and, if Evelyn had been a Manichee 
to assert the existence of two principles, — or if, with Aris- 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 



73 



totle, he had esteemed God as the first Mover only, not the 
Creator : if, in short, on whatever plea, he had denied his 
friend's definition, — a very different and much longer process 
must have been necessary to show the reasonableness of 
believing, that all things, as they depend on God for their 
being, must have, in the first instance, derived that beiiig 
from his will. 

These are not the only points in which Taylor has, to all 
appearance, forgotten himself in the preceding letter. He 
professes, with much earnestness, to believe, " next to an 
article of his creed, that the felicity of Christians is not till 
the day of judgment." If he said their cowj^/e^e febcity, he 
would have said no more than we are led to believe, by the 
very fact, that we are not, till then, to rejoin our bodies, or 
than the Scriptures imply, in passages too numerous to be 
cited. But, by deferring all enjoipnent till that time, he 
defers all sensation also, and may be suspected of adopting 
the old Socinian doctrine of the sleep of the soul ; a doctrine, 
certainly, not inconsistent with its immortality, and far less 
revolting to reason and Christianity than the materialism 
which that sect has since embraced ; but which is at variance 
with all the actions and habits of the soul, so far as they fall 
under our present observation, and is plainly contradicted 
by the most ancient traditionary religion of mankind ; by the 
expectation of St. Paul that, on his departure, he was to be 
with Christ; by the expressions of Christ himself, in his 
parable of Lazarus; and by his promise to the penitent 
robber at his crucifixion. 

It is, after all, by a reference to the law and the testi- 
mony, that the immortality of the soul is most satisfactorily 
established. Reason, indeed, may tell us, that the extinction 
of the soul does not necessarily follow the destruction of the 
body; that, as Taylor himself has well observed, it has 
functions of its own which it may separately exercise, and 
that it may still be conscious of its own existence, may still 
recollect the past, still expect the future, — though deprived 
of those bodily organs by which alone new ideas are to be 
acquired or old ones communicated. But what philosophy 
holds out as possible or probable, revelation alone has ren- 
dered certain, and the circumstances and employment of 
departed spirits, in that region whence no traveller returns, 



?4 LIFE OF JEREMY TAVEOR, D.V. 

can only be gathered from His assurances, to wliom all 
things are known, but by whom those things only are 
communicated to men which are necessary to their virtue 
and consolation. 

The controversy which Taylor had excited by his opi- 
nions on original sin, was as yet by no means at an end. 
The episcopalian clergy seem, indeed, to have been content 
with the sort of official disclaimer of such doctrines on the 
part of the church, which the letters of Warner afforded. 
But there were others who conceived themselves bound to 
animadvert on the error of so eminent a person, and the chief 
of these were two Presbyterian clergymen, Henry Jeanes, 
minister of Chedzoy, in Somersetshire, and John Gaule, of 
Staughton, in Huntingdonshire. 

Of Gaule I know nothino; but the interminable title of his 
book, to which Taylor never paid any attention". Henry 
Jeanes, however, was an adversary not unworthy of his 
powers. He was a man of considerable talent, described by 
Wood as " an excellent philosopher, a noted mathematician, 
and well-grounded in polemical divinity.'' He had been 
Taylor's contemporary at Oxford, where he was celebrated 
as a powerful disputant, a learned preacher, and zealous 
against the doctrines of the Puritans. Of those doctrines, 
however, when their professors became prosperous and 
powerful, he, whether conscientiously or no, yet, certainly, 
at a time not very favourable to his character for disinterested- 
ness, adopted a more advantageous opinion ; and, in 1641, 
became distinguished as a Calvinist and Presbyterian. Un- 
like most renegadoes, he continued to speak and act with 
moderation towards the party whom he had abandoned ; 
and was, through life, not more remarkable for his talents, 
than for his freedom from that sanctimonious austerity which 
was the usual characteristic of his new friends^. 

His attack on Taylor's work was not, in the first instance, 
intended for publication. In the " advertisement to the 



" Sapientia Justificata, or a Vindication of the Fifth Chapter of the 
Romans, and tlierein of tlie Glory of the Divine Attributes ; and that in the 
case of Original Sin, against any way of erroneous xinderstanding it, whether 
old or new : more especially in answer to Dr. Jer. Taylor's ' Deus Justifi- 
^atus.' By .John Gaule, &c. &c. Lond. 1C57. 

* Wood. Athcn. iii. col. 590. edit. Bliss. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 75 

unprejudiced reader," prefixed to his letters, Jeanes accounts 
for it in the followins; manner : — 

'* One Mr. T. C. [Tliomas Cartwright,] of Bridgewater, 
being at my house, brake out into extraordinary (that I say 
not excessive and hyperboUcal) praises of Dr. Jeremy Taylor, 
I expressed my concurrence with him in great part : nay, I 
came nothing behind him in the just commendations of his 
admirable wit, great parts, quick and elegant pen, his abilities 
in critical learning, and his profound skill in antiquity : but, 
notwithstanding all this, I professed my dissent from some of 
his opinions which I judged to be erroneous; and I instanced 
in his ' Doctrine of Original Sin,' Now his * Further Expli- 
cation' of this then lay casually in the window, (as I take it), 
which hereupon I took up, and turned unto the passage 
now under debate, and showed unto Mr. T. C. that therein 
were gross nonsense and blasphemy. He, for his own part, 
with a great deal of modesty, forthwith declined all further 
dispute of the business, but withal he told me that he would, 
if I so pleased, give Doctor Taylor notice of what I said; 
whereunto I agreed, and, in a short time, he brought me 
from the Doctor a fair and civil invitation to send him my 
exceptions, and with it a promise of a candid reception of 
them; whereupon I drew them up in a letter to Mr.T.C, the 
copy whereof followeth." 

The controversy thus begun, was, like most otliers of the 
kind, till the parties grew warm, carried on with considerable 
courtesy. But the disputants, who addressed each other, in 
the first instance, through the medium of their common 
friend, Mr. Cartwright, — began, as is usual in such cases, to 
lose their tempers at the second replication. Each accused 
the other of unfairness and intemperance, and, I regret to 
say that, of the two, Jeremy Taylor was the most captious 
and personal. Yet he had some reason to complain that his 
opponent's whole battery was directed not against the general 
principle of his book, but against a detached and single ex- 
pression; — and that his apparent, and, in fact, his avowed 
object, was not so much to refute the Pelagianism of Taylor, 
as to derogate from his reputation in the mind of one of his 
friends and admirers-^. 

^ See Appendix. 



76 J.IFK 01' JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

While Taylor was yet in London, he had shown to Evelyn 
his ' Ductor Diibitantium' in a state of considerable forward- 
ness. Many years, however, were to elapse before he actually 
finished the printing. The importance which he attached to 
it, not only as the chief pillar of his fame, but as the best 
evidence of his activity in God's service, seems to have ren- 
dered him more cautious and timid in this than in any other 
of his literary enterprises, and he thought no pains too great, 
no consideration too minute to bestow on its principles, 
arrangement, and execution. During this year, however, he 
published his Su/xCoXov H^/xo-'ro?.£/x/xoj/, a reprint of several of 
his former works in folio, (amongst which was his ' Liberty 
of Prophesying,' with the additional arguments against the 
Anabaptists, and the parable of Abraham;) — and with 
which now appeared, for the first time, the " Discourse of 
Friendship." This last work was addressed to the Mrs. 
Katherine Philips already mentioned, the wife of a gentleman 
in Cardiganshire, and author of different poems and prose 
works, who, having possessed the advantages of an easy 
fortune, an amiable manner, an agreeable person, and a 
certain skill in stringing together rhymes and compliments, 
has been handed down to our times, with commendations 
more profuse than any thing which is to be found in her 
published works will, in the present age, be thought to 
warrant." In any age, indeed, she would have been a " blue- 
stocking" of distinguished celebrity. But the authors of the 
seventeenth century were habitually lavish of their praise 
on the wealthy and the fair ; and " the matchless Orinda," 
(as she was called, from having assumed that name in a 
long romantic correspondence with Sir Charles Cotterel,) 
had reason to esteem herself fortunate in having her transla- 
tions of Corneille corrected by Buckhurst and Waller, and 
her virtues and genius eulogized, when living, by Taylor, 
and, after her death, by Cowley^. Orinda, however, was 
not usually ungrateful, — and, among her published poems is 
one to the noble Paloemon, on his incomparable " Discourse 
of Friendship," which has been generally, but too hastily, 
apprehended to refer to Taylor. Unfortunately, however, 
we learn from another of her compositions, (in the title to 

' Granger, vol. iii. p. 103. Bonney, I/ifc of Taylor, p. 2.50. 



JIFE OE JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. /7 

which Palaemon is designated by his real appellation as well 
as his nom dc guerre,) that he was not Taylor, but Mr. Francis 
Finch, an accomplished gentleman, author of several small 
poems, and who, as well as Taylor, appears to have written 
a ' Discourse on Friendship''.' 

At the beginning of 16'58, we find him again in London, 
though whether his visit were, in the first instance, by choice 
or compulsion, we must, probably, remain uninformed. 
Certain it is that the first place where we hear of him is the 
Tower, where he was confined on account of the indiscretion 
of his bookseller Royston, who had prefixed to his ' Collec- 
tion of Offices,^ a print of Christ in the attitude of prayer. 
Such representations were then termed scandalous and 
tending to idolatry, and an act had lately passed, inflicting 
on those guilty of publishing them the penalty of fine and 
imprisonment. Evelyn, however, whose influence was almost 
equal with all parties in the state, applied, through a friend, 
to the lieutenant of the Tower, insisting on the greatness of 
those services which Taylor had rendered to the cause of 
Protestantism, and soliciting permission that '* his learned 
and pious friend," might be admitted to an explanation of 
his conduct ^. 

This application appears to have been successful. On 
the seventeenth of the following February, there is a letter 
from Taylor to Evelyn, condoling with him on the death of 
his sons Richard and George, — in which he promises to 
come and see him; a promise which implies, at least, an 
expectation of being shortly at liberty ; and we find him, in 
fact, eight days after, among the friends who visited Say's 
Court, to comfort its owner under his afliliction*^. Taylor's 
letter on such an occasion, who is there that would forgive 
my omitting ? 

" TO JOHN EVELYN, ESQUIRE. 

" Deare Sir, — If dividing and sharing griefes were 
like the cutting of rivers, I dare say to you, you would find 
your streame much abated ] for I account myselfe to have a 
great cause of sorrow, not onely in the diminution of the 

» Note (T). b Note (U). ^ Note (V). 



78 LIFE OF JERE:^IY TAYLOR, D.D. 

numbers of your joys and hopes, but in the loose of that 
pretty person, your strangely hopeful boy. I cannot tell all 
my owne sorrowes without adding to yours ; and the causes 
of my real sadnesse in your losse are so just and so reason- 
able, that I can no otherwise comfort you but by telling you, 
that you have very great cause to mourne : so certaine it is 
that griefe does propagate as fire does. You have enkindled 
my funeral torch, and by joining mine to yours, I doe but 
encrease the flame. * Hoc me malc^ urit,' is the best signi- 
fication of my apprehension of your sad story. But, Sir, I 
cannot choose, but I must hold another and a brighter flame 
to you, it is already burning in your heart ; and if I can but 
remove the darke side of the lanthorne, you have enoughe 
within you to warme yourselfe, and to shine to others. 
Remember, Sir, your two boyes are two bright starres, and 
their innocence is secured, and you shall never hear evil of 
them agayne. Their state is safe, and heaven is given to 
them upon very easy termes ; nothing but to be borne and 
die. It will cost you more trouble to get where they are; 
and amono'st other thin2:s one of the hardnesses Vv^ill be, that 
you must overcome even this just and reasonable griefe; 
and, indeed, though the griefe hath but too reasonable a cause, 
yet it is much more reasonable that you master it. For 
besides that they are no loosers, but you are the person that 
complaines, doe but consider what you would have suffer'd 
for their interest : you [would] have suffered them to goe 
from you, to be great princes in a strange country : and if 
you can be content to suffer your owne inconvenience for 
their interest, you command [commend] your worthiest 
love, and the question of mourning is at an end. But you 
have said and done well, when you looke upon it as a rod of 
God ; and he that so smites here will spare hereafter : and if 
you, by patience and submission, imprint the discipline upon 
your own flesh, you kill the cause, and make the effect very 
tolerable ; because it is, in some sense, chosen, and therefore, 
in no sense, insufferable. Sir, if you doe not looke to it, 
time will snatch your honour from you, and reproach you 
for not eflfecting that by Christian philosophy which time 
will doe alone. And if you consider, that of the bravest 
men in the world, we find the seldomest stories of their 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 79 

children, and the apostles had none *^, and thousands of the 
worthiest persons, that sound most in story, died childlesse : 
you will find it is a rare act of Providence so to impose upon 
worthy men a necessity of perpetuating their names by 
worthy actions and discourses, governments and reasonings. 
If the breach be never repair'd, it is because God does not 
see it fitt to be ; and if you will be of his mind, it will be 
much the better. But, Sir, you will pardon my zeale and 
passion for your comfort, I will readily confesse that you 
have no need of any discourse from me to comfort you. 
Sir, now you have an opportunity of serving God by passive 
graces; strive to be an example and a comfort to your lady, 
and by your wise counsel and comfort, stand in the breaches 
of your owne family, and make it appeare that you are more 
to her than ten sons. Sir, by the assistance of Almighty 
God, I purpose to wait on you some time next weeke, that I 
may be a witnesse of your Christian courage and bravery ; 
and that I may see, that God never displeases you, as long 
as the main stake is preserved, I meane your hopes and con- 
fidences of heaven. Sir, I shall pray for all that you can 
want, that is, some degrees of comfort and a present mind ; 
and shal alwayes doe you honour, and faine also would doe 
you service, if it were in the power, as it is in the affections 
and desires of, 

" Dear Sir, 
** Your most affectionate and obliged friend and servant, 

" Feb. 17, 1657-8. " JER TAYLOR*." 

It would be at this time, if ever, that we should expect to 
find him settled in London. But, except in one instance, on 
the seventh of the following March, when Evelyn speaks of 
himself as attending his preaching and receiving the com- 
munion from his hands in a private house, — we have no 
instance on record of his exercising his ministerial functions. 
It is probable, indeed, that even these rare and clandestine 
assemblies for religious worship were abundantly hazardous 
to those who oflaciated ; inasmuch as the government of 
Cromwell, though tolerant enough tov/ards most sects excej^t 

^ Note (V). ^ Evelyn Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 123. 



80 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYEOU, D.D. 

the Quakers and the Episcopalians, never ceased to treat 
these last with great and unmingled severity. The usurper 
himself was, indeed, as is well known, averse to such 
measures, and personally well inclined not only to many 
individuals of the episcopal clergy, but even to their form of 
government. His inclinations were, however, obliged to 
give way to those of the zealots around him, and the whole 
history of the time evinces that, wicked and unwise as was 
the retaliation which, a few years afterwards, the Episco- 
palians inflicted on their opponents, it was no more than 
retaliation after all, and what the opposite party, therefore, 
on their own principles, had no right to complain of. 

The friends of Taylor, however, were not unmindful of 
his interests and safety ; and it was, perhaps, for the sake 
of the last, that, during this spring, they appear to have 
suggested a measure which, at first sight, seems extraordi- 
nary in persons to whom his ministry and his society were 
so dear, and to which nothing but the pressure of want or 
the sense of personal danger can have made Taylor look 
forwards with satisfaction. The well-wishers of Savage, in 
a subsequent age, were content, for the sake of maintaining 
their unfortunate client more cheaply, to assign him a 
residence in Wales. The admirers of Taylor found a proper 
soil for his virtues and his matchless talents in the north- 
eastern extremity of Ireland. This suggestion seems to 
have been made in the first instance to Evelyn, by Edward, 
earl of Conway, who had ample estates and powerful con- 
nexions in the neighbourhood of Lisburn ; and, as there is 
reason to believe, procured for Taylor the offer of an alternate 
lectureship in that borough, with a prospect of other advan- 
tages. Such an appointment, at least, and in a distant country, 
is alluded to by Taylor in the following letter. It is plain, 
from lord Conway's own correspondence, preserved among 
the Rawdon papers, that he was induced to wish for Taylor's 
removal to Ireland, by an anxiety that his great talents should 
be employed to the spiritual advantage of his neighbourhood; 
and as the dates of these letters show that the negociation 
was at that time proceeding, it is by no means likely that 
that which follows refers to a diflerent transaction. Its 
mutilated state is the more to be regretted, inasmuch as 
there are few divines of Taylor's age who would have treated 



L I F E O F J 1-: R l". M V V A V L O 11 , 1) . D . SI 

the question of usury in a manner so sensil)le and satisfac-. 
tory. lie does not, it may be observed, mention the necessity 
of taking the covenant as one of the objections to the pro- 
posed lectureship. How this was to be got rid of, I do not 
know. Perhaps, as a lectureship is neither a cure of souls 
nor an appointment under government, it was not legally 
necessary ; and where the individual was popular, and sup- 
ported by powerful friends, its omissipn might be, in some 
cases, winked at. 

" TO JOHN EVELYN, ESQUIRE. 

" May 12, 165^. 

** Honour'd Si It, — I returne you many thankes for 
your care of my temporal affaires : I wish I may be able 
to give you as good account of my watchfulnesse for your 
service, as you have of your diligence to doe me benefit. 
But concerning the thing itselfe, I am to give you this 
account. I like not the condition of being a lecturer under 
the dispose of another, nor to serve in my semi-circle, v/here 
a Presbyterian and myselfe shall be like Castor and Pollux, 
the one up and the other downe ; which, methinkes, is like 
the worshipping the sun, and making him the deity, that 
w^e may be religious halfe the yeare, and every night serve 
another interest. Sir, the stipend is so inconsiderable, it 
will not pay the charge and trouble of remooving my selfe 
and family. It is wholly arbitrary ; for the triers may over- 
throw it ; or the vicar may forbid it ; or the subscribers may 
die, or grow weary, or poore, or be absent. I beseech you. 
Sir, pay my thankes to your friend, who had so much kind- 
nesse for mee as to intend my benefitt : I thinke myselfe no 
lesse obliged to him and you than if I had accepted it. 

" Sir, I am well pleased with the pious meditations and 
the extracts of a religious spirit which I read in your excel- 
lent letter. I can say nothing at present but this : that I 
hope in a short progression you will be wholly im merged in 
the delices and joyes of religion ; and as I perceive your 
relish and gust of the things of the world goes off con- 
tinually ; so you will be invested with new capacities, and 
entertained with new appetites : I say with new appetites ; 
for in religion every new degree of love is a new appetite ; 
as in the schooles w^e say, every single angel does make a 

G 



82 l.IIJ. OF JERKMV TAYLOK, D.D. 

species, and differs more than nmnerically from an angel of 
the same order ^ 

" Your question concerning interest hath in it no diffi- 
culty as you have prudently stated it. For in the case, you 
have only made yourselfe a merchant with them ; onely you 
take lesse, that you be secured ; as you pay a fine to the 
Assurance Office. I am onely to adde this. You are neither 
directly nor collaterally to engage the debtor to pay more 
than is allowed by law. It is necessary that you imploy 
youre money some way for the advantage of your family. 
You may lawfully buy land, or traffique, or exchange it to 
your profit. You may doe this by yourselfe or by another, 
and you may as well get something as he get more, and that 
as well by money as by land or goods ; for one is as valuable 
in estimation of merchants and of all the world as any thing 
else can be : and mee thinkes, no man should deny mony 
to be valuable, that remembers, every man parts with what 
he hath for mony : and as lands are of a price, then [when] 
they are sold for ever, and when they are parted with for a 
yeare, so is money : since the imployment of it is as apt to 
minister to gaine as lands are to rent. Mony and lands are 
equally the matter of increase : to both of them our industry 
must [be] applied, or else the profit will cease : now as a 
tenant of lands may plough for mee, so a tenant of money 
may goe to sea and traffique for mee ^^ ***■**#** s." 

Whatever reluctance Taylor may have felt to remove to 
such a distance from his English friends, was overcome, 
however, by the prospects held out in the country to which 
he was destined. Dr. (afterwards Sir WiUiam) Petty, whose 
survey of Ireland by the command of government had made 
him abundantly and most profitably skilled in the extent 
and value of the forfeited lands, offered to procure him a 
purchase on very advantageous terms, and recommended 
him by letter to several persons of talent and influence in 
that kingdom. He had similar letters to the lord chancellor 
of Ireland; to the lord Pepys ; to Tomlinson, the regicide 
general ; and the lord chief baron ; and (what may be re- 
garded as an additional proof of his high estimation with 

^ Note (Y). g Evelyn Papers, iiiccl. 



MFF: ok JEREMY TAYEOU, J). I). 83 

all parties in the state) even Cromwell ^ave him a passport 
and protection for himself and family under his sign manual 
and privy signet. It would almost seem that the intrusive 
government were not sorry to remove to a distance from 
scenes where be might be dangerous, a man of so steady 
loyalty, and of talents so distinguished'*. 

Thus furnished, he appears to have left London during 
the month of June, and, tlienceforward, to have divided his 
residence between Lisburne and Portmore, about eiglit miles 
distant from that town.. Perhaps, indeed, he only visited 
Lisburne for the discharge of his weekly lectureship, since 
the tradition of his descendants determines him to have 
chiefly, if not always, occupied a house in the immediate 
neighbourhood of his patron's mansion ; and to have often 
preached to a small congregation of loyalists in the half- 
ruined church of Kilulta. 

It is in this last named parish that the mansion of Port- 
more then stood, built after a plan by Inigo Jones, in a style 
of almost princely magnificence, of which the stables, yet 
remaining', are a noble, though melancholy vestige. The 
park is washed by the great lake of Lough Neagh, and by 
a smaller meer called Lough Bag (or the Little Lake), each 
studded with romantic islets ; to some of which, according 
to the tradition of the vicinity, it was Taylor's frequent 
practice to retire for the purposes of study or devotion. 
Ram Island, in Lough Neagh, and a smaller rock in Lough 
Bag, are said to have been his favourites ; the one a mile 
from Portmore, the other about half the distance. The first 
is distinguished by the ruins of a monastery, and by one of 
those tall round towers of uncertain use and origin, which 
are a romantic and characteristic feature of Irish scenery. 
The other is still more retired and tranquil ; and both have 
been described to me as scenes where a painter, a poet, or a 
devout contemplatist, might alike dehght to linger. Retired 
as the situation of Portmore was, his lectureship may have 
afforded an useful employment for his characteristic elo- 
quence ; and he found abundant leisure, in security and 
comparative solitude, for the labours by which his heaii 

^ Note(X). 



84 LIFE OF JEREMY TAVLOR, D.D. 

was divided, liis daily and hourly devotions, and the com- 
pletion of his Ductor Dubitantium. 

Poor and dependent as Taylor still continued, this was, 
probably, the happiest part of his life. Both now, and 
when in possession of wealth and dignity, he displayed a 
natural attachment to the neighbourhood which had afforded 
him such an asylum ; and there are few of his letters from 
Ireland which do not speak of the situation of his delightful 
retirement, with affection, and with gratitude to the Provi- 
dence who had placed him there. 

Of these letters, the first is from Lisnagarvy, as Lisburne 
was anciently called; though, even in Taylor's day, the 
appellation was nearly obsolete. Of the sect which he de- 
scribes, I have been able to acquire no further information'. 
The anxiety which he expresses after literary news may be 
easily understood and appreciated. For the rest, I think we 
may perceive a tone of hilarity in his letter which bespeaks 
a mind at ease, and which is remarkably different from the 
constrained and desponding feeling by which many of his 
former communications are distinguished. 

" TO JOHN EVELYN, ESQUIRE. 

'' Lisnagarvy, April 0, 1G59. 

** Honoured Sir, — I feare I am so unfortunate as that 
I forgot to leave with you a direction how you might, if you 
pleased to honour me with a letter, refresh my solitude with 
notice of your health and that of your relatives, that I may 
rejoyce and give God thankes for the blessing and prosperity 
of my dearest and most honour'd friends. I have kept close 
all the winter, that I might, without interruption, attend to 
the finishing of the imployment I was engaged in : which 
now will have no longer delay than what it meetes in the 
printer's hands. But, Sir, I hope that by this time you have 
finished what you have so prosperously begun, — your owne 
Lucretius. I desire to receive notice of it from yourselfe, 
and what other designes you are upon in order to the pro- 
moting or adorning learning ; for I am confident you v/ill be 
as useful and profitable as you can be, that, by the worthiest 

' Note(Y). 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAVI.OK, D.D. 85 

testimonies, it may by posterity be remembered that you did 
live. But, Sir, I prav say to me something concerning the 
state of learning ; how is any art or science likely to im- 
proove ? what good bookes are lately publike ? what learned 
men, abroad or at home, begin anew to fill the mouth of 
fame, in the places of the dead Salmasius, Vossius, Mocelin, 
Sirmond, Rigaltius, Des Cartes, Gahleo, Peiresk, Petavius, 
and the excellent persons of yesterday ? I perceive here that 
there is a new sect rising in England ; the Perfectionists : 
for tlu'ee men that wrote an Examen of the Confession of 
Faith of the Assembly, whereof one was Dr. Drayton, and 
is now dead, did starte some very odde things ; but especially 
one, in pursuance of the doctrine of Castellio, that it is pos- 
sible to give unto God perfect unsinning obedience, and to 
have perfection of degrees in this life. The doctrine was 
opposed by an obscure person, one John Tendring; but 
learnedly enough and wittily maintained by another of the 
triumvirate, W. Parker, who indeed was the worst of the 
three ; but he takes his hint from a sermon of Dr. Drayton, 
Avhich, since his death, Parker hath published, and endea- 
vours to justify. I am informed by a worthy person, that 
there are many of them who pretend to great sanctity and 
great revelations and skill in all Scriptures, which they 
expound almost wholly to spiritual and mysterious purposes. 
I knew nothing, or but extremely little, of them when I was 
in England ; but further off I heare most newes. If you 
can informe yourselfe concerning them, I would faine be 
instructed concernins^ their desig-ne, and the circumstances 
of their life and doctrine. For they live strictly, and in 
many tilings speake rationally, and in some things very 
confidently. They excell the Socinians in the strictnesse 
of their doctrine ; but, in my opinion, fall extremely short 
of them in their expositions of the practical Scripture. If 
you inquire after the men of Dr. Gell's church, possibly 
you may learne much : and, if I mistake not, the thing is 
worth inquiry. Their bookes are printed by Thos. New- 
comb in London, but where is not set downe. The Examen 
of the Assemblie's Confession is highly worth perusing, both 
for the strangenesse of some of the things in it, and the 
learning of many of them. 

" Sir, you see how I am glad to make an occasion to 



86 LITE OF JEREJIY TAYLOR, D.D. 

talke with you : though I can never want a just opportunity 
and title to write to you as long as I have the memory of 
those many actions of loving kindnesse by which you have 
obliged, 

" Honoured Sir, 
" Your most aifectionate and indeared friend 

** and humble servant, 

" JER. TAYLOR." 

" Be pleased to present my humble service to your 
honoured and worthy brother in Covent Garden. 

" I suppose my servant will wayte on you with this 
letter ) but if he misses you, if you please at any time to 
write to me, if you send it to Mr. AUestree, stationer, at the 
Bell, in St. Paul's Church-yard, it will come to me safely ^." 

Whatever were the aids conferred on him by his new 
friends, of which I regret my inability to give a further 
account, they were not sufficient to place him above the 
necessity of Evelyn's yearly pension, which that excellent 
man continued to pay, though, as it should seem, from nar- 
rower means than before, and with some degree of incon- 
venience. Nor was even the solitary paradise of Portmore 
able to exempt him from the peculiar evils of the time, and 
the effects of private malice : a person named Tandy, w^iom 
Taylor calls " a madman," and who appears, by Lord 
Conway's letters, to have been something like an agent to 
different noble families, out of pure jealousy that the new- 
comer stood more in favour with his patrons than himself, 
and was a more welcome and frequent guest at their houses, 
denounced him to the Irish Privy Council as a dangerous 
and disaffected character, and, more particularly, as having 
used the sign of the cross in the ceremony of private bap- 
tism. Taylor himself does not seem to have been much 
alarmed, but Conway expresses himself on the subject with 
a degree of feeling which does him honour ; and with an 
indignation against the informer, not unnatural in one who 
conceived that, in attacking his friend, that informer was 

^ Evelyn Papers, iued. 



I.IFE OF JEREMY TAVEOK, D.l). §7 

treating himself with ingratitude'. To this vexation Taylor 
alludes in the following- letter, in which, as will be observed, 
he also speaks of the Perfectionists, with a degree of interest 
and curiosity which the sect may seem to have been of too 
little importance to deserve. 

'' TO JOHN EVELYN, ESQUIRE. 

" Poitmore, June 4, 165J). 

" Honoured Sir, — I have reason to take a great 
pleasure that you are pleased so perfectly to retaine me in 
your memory and affections, as if I were still neere you, a 
partner of your converse, or could possibly oblige you. But 
I shall attribute this so wholly to your goodnesse, your 
piety and candour, that I am sure nothing on my part can 
incite or continue the least part of those civilities and en- 
dearements by which you have often, and still continue to 
oblige me. Sir, I received your two little bookes, and am 
very much pleased with the golden booke of St. Chrysostom, 
on which your epistle hath put a black enamel, and made a 
pretty monument for your dearest, strangest miracle of a 
boy ; and when I read it, I could not choose but observe 
St. PauFs rule : fieham cum fieiitihus. I paid a teare at the 
hearse of that sweet child. Your other little Enchiridion is 
an emanation of an ingenious spirit ; and there are in it 
observations, the like of which are seldom made by young 
travellers™ ; and though by the publication of these, you 
have been civil and courteous to the commonwealth of 
learning, yet I hope you will proceed to oblige us in some 
greater instances of your owne. I am much pleased with 
your waye of translation ; and if you would proceed in the 
same method, and give us in English some devout pieces of 
the fathers, and your own annotations upon them, you would 
doe profit and pleasure to the publicke. But, Sir, I cannot 
easily consent that you should lay aside your Lucretius, and 
having beene requited yourselfe by your labour, I cannot 
perceive why you should not give us the same recreation, 
since it will be greater to us than it could be to you, to 
whom it was allayed by your great labour : especially you 
having given us so large an essay of your ability to doe it ; 

'Note(Z). >" Note (A A). 



88 LIFE OF JEKK.MY TAYLOR, D.D. 

and the world having given you an essay of their accep- 
tation of it. 

*' Sir, that Pallavicini whom you mention, is the author 
of the late history of the Council of Trent, in two volumes 
in folio, in Italian. I have seene it, but had not leisure to 
peruse it so much as to give any judgment of the man by it. 
Besides this, he hath published two little manuals in 12mo, 
Assertiomim Theohgicariun ; but these speake but very little 
of the man. • His history, indeed, is a great undertaking, 
and his family (for he is of the Jesuit order) use to sell the 
booke by crying up the man : but I thinke I saw enough of 
it to suspect the expectation is much bigger then the thing. 
It is no wonder that Baxter undervalues the gentry of 
England. You know what spirit he is of, but I suppose he 
hath met with his match : for Mr. Peirs hath attacked him : 
and they are joyn'd in the lists". I have not seene Mr. 
Thorndike's booke. You make me desirous of it, because 
you call it elaborate : but I like not the title nor the subject, 
and the man is indeed a very good and a learned man, but 
I have not seen much prosperity in his writings : but if he 
have so well chosen the questions, there is no peradventure 
but he hatji tumbled into his heape many choice materials*^. 
I am much pleas'd that you promise to inquire into the 
way of the Perfectionists ; but I thinke L. Pembroke and 
Mrs. Joy, and the Lady Wildgoose, are none of that number. 
I assure you, some very learned and very sober persons 
have given up their names to it. Castellio is their great 
patriarch : and his Dialogue An per Spir. S. homo posut 
perfectt ohedire legi Dei, is their first essay. Parker hath 
written something lately of it, and in Dr. Cell's last booke 
in folio there is much of it. Indeed, you say right that 
they take in Jacob Behmen, but that is upon another account, 
and they understand him as nurses doe their children's im- 
perfect language ; something by use, and much by fancy. I 
hope. Sir, in your next to me (for I flatter myselfe to have 
the happinesse of receiving a letter from you sometimes,) 
you will account to me of some hopes concerning some 
settlement, or some peace to religion. I feare my peace in 

" Note (B B). AV^ood's Athen. vol. ii. p. 358. 
• Note (C C). Wood, vol. i. p. 461. 



LIFE or JEREMY TAVLOll, D.D. 89 

Ireland is likely to be short ; for a Presbyterian and a 
madman have informed against me as a dangerous man to 
their religion ; and for using the signe of the crosse in 
baptisme. The worst event of the information which I feare, 
is my returne into England ; which although I am not 
desirous it should be upon these terms, yet if it be without 
much violence, I shall not be much troubled. 

" Sir, I doe account myselfe extremely obliged to your 
kindnesse and charity, in your continued care of me and 
bounty to me ; it is so much the more, because I have 
almost from all men but yourselfe, suffered some diminution 
of their kindnesse, by reason of my absence, for as the 
Spaniard sayes, * The dead and the absent have but few 
friends/ But, Sir, I account myselfe infinitely oblig'd to 
you, much for your pension, but exceedingly much more for 
your affection, which you have so signally expressed. I 
pray. Sir, be pleased to present my humble service to your 
two honoured brothers : I shall be ashamed to make any 
addresse, or pay my thankes in words to them, till my Rule 
of Conscience be publicke, and that is all the way I have to 
pay my debts ; that and my prayers that God would?. 
Sir, Mr. Martin, Bookseller, at the Bell, in St. Paul's 
Church-yard, is my correspondent in London, and what- 
soever he receives, he transmits it to me carefully; and 
so will Mr. Royston, though I doe not often imploy him 
now. Sir, I feare I have tir'd you with an impertinent letter, 
but I have felt your charity to be so great as to doe much 
more than to pardon the excesse of my affections. Sir, I 
hope that you and I remember one another when w^e are 
upon our knees. I doe not thinke of coming to London till 
the latter end of summer or the spring, if I can enjoy my 
quietnesse here; but then I doe if God permit: but beg to 
be in this interval refreshed by a letter from you at your 
leisure, for, indeed, in it will be a great pleasure and endear- 
ment to, 

" Honoured Sir, 

" Your very oblig'd, most affectionate and humble servant, 

" JER. TAYLORi." 

P Note (DD). T Evelyn Pnpers, iucd. 



90 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

In consequence of the information laid against Taylor, 
ii warrant was issued to the Governor of Carrickfergus, by 
the Irish Privy Council, to bring him before them for exa- 
mination'. In the minutes of the council no other entry 
occurs relating to him, and it is, therefore, probable that his 
friends had power to obtain his speedy discharge. The 
journey, however, to Dublin, in the heart of winter, was 
sufficient to throw him into a severe illness, which, 
perhaps, was admitted by the government as a plea for 
letting him off more easily. 

In the letter of Lady Wray, to which I have already so 
often referred, it is said that he about this time *' suffered 
much from Sir Phelim O'Nial.'' But this is, evidently, a 
circumstance respecting which her memory had deceived 
her, since that weak and cruel chieftain had suffered death 
some years before Taylor's arrival in Ireland. From his 
kindred and clan, at this time, a loyalist had nothing to 
apprehend, even if they had possessed the power of injuring 
him ; and the O'JN^ials, as well as all the other Irish Septs, 
had been completely crushed by the dreadful severities of 
Ireton and Cromwell. In 1666, however, the neighbouring 
county of Tyrone was really infested, for some time, by 
bands of Tories and White Boys% and, if Taylor kept a 
farm, as from various circumstances he appears to have done, 
it is possible that his cattle may, on some occasion, have 
been stolen ; a circumstance which might be easily ex- 
aggerated by family tradition, till it became, in the narration 
of his grandchild, a persecution by the Roman Catholicjs, 
But, if it had been any thing considerable, we should have 
found, in all probability, some mention of it in his letters; 
and on the contrary, I am assured that the traditions of the 
country imply that with the peasantry of that persuasion, his 
amiable temper and ascetic habits rendered him an object of 
regi;ard and veneration. 

It was this, perhaps, which gave occasion to a renewal 
of the report of his inclination to Popery, of which he com- 
plains in his " Letters to Persons changed in their Religion," 
which, though not now published, appear to have been 
written about this time. No new work of his issued from 

' Ncte (KE). - Rawdon Papers, pp. 21R, 223, &c. 



LIFE OF J K RE MY TAYLOR, D.D. 91 

the press this year, for the " Ephesian Matron" is appre- 
hended by Mr. Bonney to liave been merely a reprint of that 
story as told in the Holy Dying^ The following letter, 
however, was published in the QuvaroXoyra of Dr. John 
Stearne, Professor of Philosophy in the University of 
Dublin ; and is interesting-, as being, except the interminable 
Epitaph on Lady Carbery, the only remaining specimen of 
the author's Latinity. The concluding compliment is lively 
and elegant. For the rest, it cannot be said that he flatters 
so beautifully in a learned language as in English. With 
the poor book which is beslavered with such deglutitious 
phrases I have no acquaintance. 

** Viro amicissimo et integerrimo Johanni Stearne, 
Medicinae et Philosophiae Professori Doctissimo, hyai^nv, 

" Quam primuni earum mihi facta est copia, in schedas 
tuas involaverunt oculi et mens, amor et acumen, et tota 
quanta est curiositatis supellex, ut discernerem quicquid 
id fuit quod parturiens et ferax ingenium in lucem 
hodiernam destinarat bono publico. 

" Tam recte novi ingenium tuum, Stearni doctissime, ex 
monumentis publicis, et privatis praeclarae tuae eruditionis 
indicibus, ut difficile non fuerit hariolari quid intus latcret 
in Enchiridio, quod festinantius singularis tua humauitas 
preemiserat, enimvero necfalsus fui. Praesensit enim animus 
me in hisce tabulis, ingenii cupedias et bellaria, philosophiaa 
inventa non vulgaria, rationis ay]ow hprnMa, Artis Medicse, 
quam hodie in Hibernise metropoli adornas, specimen non 
mediocre : at cum irrueram in interloquium, (placide enim et 
moderate tot r^a/j^/xara adire, nee enim diffitebor, impos 
plane fui,) me divinum sensi ; et quem prasgustaveram, 
lepide quidem vaticinatus qualem perlecturus eram libellum, 
cum demum aut avidiiis, ne totum non exhaurirem, aut 
pitissans, ne citius quam volueram clauderetur festum, 
certe mira cum ingluvie non uno modo ordinata, ingessi in 
animum meum : et tandem ruminans quod delibaveram, sensi 
clarissime (et laetatus sum) scientiae reconditioris arcana 
reserata, ingenii incomparabilis i'xiyjiDr^ij.cira, veritatis illustre 
et ingenuum ministerium, et quaestiones nodosas satis, sed 
nee inutiles, quas aut solvisti dextre, aut dissecuisti strenue, 

' Bonney, Life, p. 274. 



92 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

in omnibus vel Aristoteli vel Alexandre suppar : adeo ut 
non ineptum judicaverim gratulari Reipublicae Literariee hoc 
novum emergens decus, imo et tibi in aurem insusurrare 
quam faeliciter Spartam banc exornaveris ; certe bono pubbco, 
honori Academiee DubUniensis, usui et ornamento lite- 
ratorum, sahiti sedentis et desidis turbae cogitabundorum 
hominum, quinimo et inclytae famte tuae. Tantum est 
nihil enim superest, nisi ut te amem, ut legam, ut relegam, 
et ut (quod vovit Socrates in intuitu et speculatione mortis,) 
ego pro tuis de morte prseclaris lucubrationibus et longsevi- 
tatis salutaribus documentis nuncuparem Galium ^Esculapio ; 
vel potius tibi (quod Apollinis filio Heraclides constituit,) 
sXalov Tt^rivriv x^ve^v rov hyboov. Serpentem autem et canem 
in 3ede ^Esculapii tu cave. Etenim non ita pridem sensisti 
mordacium animalculorum morsiunculas. Vale. 

" Ex amoenissimo recessu in Portmore dedit 

" JEREMIAS TAYLOR, 

*' S.S. Th. Professor." 

What follows is of a very different character. 

" TO JOHN EVELYN, ESQUIRE. 

" Honoured and deare Sir, — Yours dated July 
23d, I received not till All Saints day : it seemes it 
was stopp'd by the intervening troubles in England": 
but it was lodged in a good hand, and came safely and 
unbroken to me. I must needes beg the favour of you 
that I may receive from you an account of your health 
and present conditions, and of your family ; for I feare 
concerning all my friends, but especially for those few very 
choice ones I have, lest the present troubles may have 
done them any violence in their affaires or content. It is 
now long since that cloud passed ; and though I suppose 
the sky is yet full of meteors and evil prognostics, yet you 
all have time to consider concerning your peace and your 
securityes. That was not God's time to relieve his church, 
and I cannot understand from what quarter that wind blew, 
and whether it was for us or against us. But God disposes 
all things wisely ; and religion can receive no detriment or 

" Note (FF). 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 93 

diminution but by our owne fault. I long. Sir, to come to 
converse with you ; for I promise to myselfe tliat I may 
receive from you an excellent account of your progression 
in religion, and that you are entred into the experimental 
and secret way of it, which is that state of excellency whe- 
ther [whither] good persons use to arrive after a state of re- 
pentance and caution. My retirement in this solitary place 
hath been, I hope, of some advantage to me as to this state 
of religion, in which I am yet but a novice, but by the good- 
ness of God, I see fine things before me whither I am con- 
tending. It is a great, but a good worke, and I beg of you 
to assist me with your prayers, and to obtaine of God for 
me that I may arrive to that height of love and union with 
God, which is given to all those soules who are very deare 
to God. Sir, if it please God, I purpose to be in London in 
April next, where I hope for the comfort of conversing witli 
you. In the mean time, be pleas'd to accept my thankes 
for your great kindnesse in taking care of me in that token 
you were pleased to leave with Mr. Martin. I am sorry 
the evil circumstances of the times made it any way afflictive 
or inconvenient. I had rather you should not have been 
burden'd than that I should have received kindnesse on hard 
conditions to you. Sir, I shall not trouble your studies now, 
for I suppose you are very buisy there : but I shall desire 
the favour that I may know what you are now doing, for you 
cannot seperate your affaires from being of concerne to, 

" Deare Sir, 
" Your very affectionate friend and humble servant, 

" Portmore, Nov. 3, 1G59." " JER. TAYLOR*." 

With such humility did the author of the " Holy Living 
and Dying" regard his own attainments in religion, and such 
were his impressions of the happiness and consolation, even 
in this life, conferred by a pure and exalted piety. If there 
is something mystic in the tone which he adopts, and we 
are reminded, in spite of ourselves, of his previous inquiries 
concerning the Perfectionists, let it be remembered that his 
subsequent, no less than his preceding writings, bear tes- 

"^ Evelyn Papers, iiied. 



94 LIFE OF JFREIVrY TAYLOR, D.D. 

timony to his freedom from any error of the kind ; and that 
his devotion through Hfe, appears to have continued as we 
have hitherto seen it, however intense, however unremitted, 
however (I had ahiiost said) seraphic, — yet practical, peace- 
ful, energetic, and orderly; — of a kind which, instead of 
seeking food in visions of enthusiastic rapture, or displaying 
itself in a fantastical adoption of new toys and instruments 
of theopathy, made him the better friend, the better parent, 
the better servant of the state, the better member and 
governor of that church which he had defended in her 
deepest adversities. 

Those adversities were now drawing to an end, though 
Taylor could not foresee it, and, as appears from some 
expressions in the preceding letter, was uncertain whether the 
aspect of the times portended good or an increase of evil. His 
journey to London, however, which we have seen him already 
meditating, and which he again promises to his friend and 
himself, in the letter which stands next in the series, was as 
well timed for his own prospects and future advancement, as 
if he had really been in the secret of Monk's intentions. 

" TO JOHN EVELYN, ESQ. 

'' Portmore, Feb. 10, Ifi^a. 

** Honoured and deare Sir, — I received yours 
of December 2, in very good time, but although it came 
to me before Christmas, yet it pleased God, about that 
time, to lay his gentle hand upon me ; for I had beene, 
in the worst of our winter weather, sent for to Dublin by 
our late Anabaptist commissioners ; and found the evil of 
it so great, that in my going I began to be ill : but, in my 
return, had my ill redoubled and fixed : but it hath pleased 
God to restore my health, I hope ' ad majorem Dei gloriam ;' 
and now that I can easily write, I return you my very hearty 
thanks for your very obliging letter, and particularly for the 
inclosed. Sir; the Apology you were pleased to send me, I 
read both privately and heard it read publikely with no 
little pleasure and satisfaction. The materials are worthy, 
and the dress is clean, and orderly, and beauteous : and I 
wish that all men in tlie nation were obliged to read it twice : 
it is impossible but it must doe good to those guilty persons 
to whom it is not impossible to repent. Your Character hatli 



LIFE OF JEHEMV TV A LOU, D.D. 95 

a great part of a worthy reward, that it is translated into a 
language in which it is likely to be read by very many ' beaux 
esprits.' But that which I promise to myself as an excellent 
entertainment, is your * Elysium Britannicum-^.' But, Sir, 
being you intend it to the purposes of piety as well as 
pleasure, why doe you not rather call it Paradisus than 
Elysium ; since the word is used by the Hellenish Jewes to 
signify any place of spiritual and immaterial pleasure, and 
excludes not the material and secular. Sir ; I know you are 
such a ' curieux,' and withal so diligent and inquisitive, that 
not many things of the delicacy of learning, relating to your 
subject, can escape you ; and, therefore, it would be great 
imprudence in me to offer my little mite to your already 
digested heape. I hope, ere long, to have the honour to 
waite on you, and to see some parts and steps of your pro- 
gression : and then if I see I can bring any thing to your 
building, though but hair and stickes, I shall not be wanting 
in expressing my readinesse to serve and to honour you, 
and to promote such a worke, than w hich I thinke, in the 
world, you could not have chosen a more apt and a more 
ino'enious. 

'* Sir ; I do really beare a share in your feares and your 
sorrowes for your deare boy. I doe and shall pray to God 
for him ; but I know not what to say in such things. If 
God intends, by these clouds, to convey him and you to 
brighter graces and more illustrious glories respectively; I 
dare not, with too much passion, speake against the so great 
good of a person that is so deare to me, and a child that is 
so deare to you. But I hope that God will doe what is 
best : and I humbly beg of him to choose what is that best 
for you both. As soon as the weather and season of the 
spring gives leave, I intend, by God's permission, to returne 
to England : and when I come to London with the first to 
waite on you, for whom I have so great regard, and from 
whom I have received so many testimonies of a worthy 
friendship, and in whom I know so much worthinesse is 
deposited. 

** I am, most faithfully and cordially, 

" Your very affectionate and obliged servant, 

" JER. TAYLOR'." 
> Notp (O G), ' Evelyn Papers, ined. 



96 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

This journey to London, though probably undertaken 
with no further expectations than of seeing his friends, and 
giving the last inspection to his ' Ductor Dubitantium,' in its 
progress through the press, — was propitious to Taylor's 
advancement. His name appeared among the signatures of 
loyalists in London, and its vicinity, affixed to their decla- 
ration of April 24, 1660, in which they expressed the mode- 
ration of their views, and their confidence in the wisdom and 
justice of Monk and his government. He was thus advan- 
tageously brought under the notice of his sovereign, on his 
return to the throne, as a faithful adherent to monarchy and 
episcopacy ; and had the opportunity of dedicating to him the 
great work, to which his best years had been devoted, — on 
which, of all his compositions, he had bestowed the most 
time and labour, the most anxiety and prayer, — and in 
which, of all others, he seems to have pleased himself with 
the idea that he was laying the foundations of his future 
fame, and rendering an acceptable service to the cause of 
morality and religion. 

It may be doubted whether the manner in which it has 
been received has altogether answered these anticipations. 
With all its learning, most widely ransacked and most pro- 
digally displayed — with all its acuteness of argument and 
criticism, its strong practical good sense, and its admirable 
moderation^ — the '* Ductor Dubitantium" has, perhaps, been 
among the least read and least popular of his writings. The 
world have been less anxious to study than to talk of and 
and admire; its object, even at its first appearance, was, in 
some degree, accounted obsolete, and its sphere of utility 
limited ; and, while his devotional works have found their 
way into every closet and every cottage, his * opus magnum' 
reposes on the shelves of our libraries, in company with the 
neglected giants of an earlier day, the ' Summa Senten- 
tiarum,' and the writings of Duns Scotus. 

How far this neglect is merited or undeserved, — how far 
it is inherent in the nature of his design, or incidental to the 
manner in which that design is executed, — a better oppor- 
tunity will hereafter be afforded for inquiring. I will here 
only observe, that the times in which it appeared had, in 
themselves, a natural and inevitable tendency to rob the 
* Ductor Dubitantium' of even its due share of popular notice 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 97 

and favour. The country was in a state of feverish excita- 
tion, which left men little desire, and less leisure, to open 
folios of casuistry. Every body was agitated by the con- 
sciousness of having deserved well or ill of the restored 
monarch and his family; and the hopes of preferment, — the 
fears of persecution, — the triumph of the loyal, — and the 
doubts of those few who saw deeper into Charles's character, 
— were succeeded by a long and disgusting course of tyranny 
and civil dissension, and by a school of literature and com- 
position, of all others w hich this country has seen the least 
favourable to genius, and the most unlike that style of 
thinking and expression which had distinguished Jeremy 
Taylor and his contemporaries. 

After the completion of a work of such magnitude and 
importance, it would, with most men, have been no more 
than was to be expected, that they should suspend awhile 
the labours of composition. But the rapidity of Taylor's pen 
was such, that it is necessary to mark the fact, that only 
one more work of his appeared this year, — the " Worthy 
Communicant," — accompanied by his beautiful sermon at 
the funeral of Sir George Dalstone. The dowager princess 
of Orange was at this time in England, on a visit of con- 
gratulation to her brother; and the volume is inscribed to 
her, in a dedication in which Taylor eulogizes not only her 
virtues, but those of the king, in a strain which may be 
forgiven to a triumphant loyalist, when speaking of a young 
and graceful monarch, whose dignified and prudent- conduct 
under misfortune, and whose supposed constancy in maintain- 
mg, against all temptations, his allegiance to the Church of 
England, had inspired hopes of a wisdom and piety, which 
his subsequent conduct but too lamentably disappointed. 

The merits which Taylor had to plead with the restored 
government, were exceeded by those of few persons in his 
profession. Of all the episcopal clergy, old Sanderson 
alone, perhaps, excepted, there was none who could compete 
with him in the renown of learning and genius. His cha- 
racter had remained unsullied by any compliance with the 
factious or fanatical party, during the time of their greatest 
triumphs. He had been the object of a more than common 
suspicion and severity, on the part of the usurping govern- 
ment; and even his polemical antagonists were in the habit 



98 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, U.D. 

of bearing testimony to his blameless life, and the ardour of 
his piety. Whether his union with the king's natural sister 
was known or pleaded, may, perhaps, be doubted. If it 
were, it is possible that this circumstance may have contri- 
buted to determine the scene of his promotion ; and that 
Charles was not unwilling to remove to a distance a person 
whose piety might lead him to reprove many parts of his 
conduct, and who would have a plausible pretence for 
speaking more freely than the rest of the dignified clergy. 

It may be believed, however, that Taylor himself would 
be by no means displeased with his destination, though, in 
some respects, a more obscure one than, from the circum- 
stances enumerated, he might have looked for. His family 
were already in Ireland, and, though the Mandinam property 
was now relieved from sequestration, the state of his worldly 
affairs can hardly have been such as to make the expense of 
removal desirable. To the country of his refuge he seems to 
have felt considerable attachment; — and the persuasions of 
the marquess, afterwards duke of Ormond, who was the great 
pillar of the episcopal cause, and who was extremely and 
laudably solicitous to fill the sees of his native kingdom with 
learning and piety, would naturally be employed both to 
forward the appointment and reconcile him to it. He was, 
accordingly, nominated, on the 6th of August, after the 
king's return, under the privy seal, to the bishopric of Down 
and Connor, and, shortly after, elected, by Ormond's recom- 
mendation, vice-chancellot of the university of Dublin*. 

These situations were very far from sinecures. In the 
university every thing was to be undone and begun anew, in 
consequence of the disorders introduced during the time of 
the commonwealth. The revenues had been dilapidated, and 
the land, in many instances, alienated. None of the members 
then in possession had any legal title either to scholarship 
or fellowship ; all having been introduced by irregular elec- 
tions, or by the direct interference of the usurping government. 
And as, by the statutes of the college, no election could be 
made but by the provost, and the concurring votes of at 
least four seniors, it was proposed by Taylor, that himself. 



* Rot. Pat. Cauc. Hibern. 2nda pars. f. 11, 15. For this date and 
reference, I am obliged to the kindness of I\Ir. IMonk IMason. 



99 

as vice-chancellor, — the archbishop of Dublin, as visitor, — 
and the new provost, who was appointed by the crown, — 
should be empowered, by their own authority, to elect seven 
senior fellows, who were to serve as a nucleus from which 
the society should again take its beginning. Ormond, how- 
ever, chose to keep this appointment in his own liands, 
though he so far complied with the proposal as to desire the 
vice-chancellor and provost to recommend live persons who 
might, by the royal authority, be made fellows ; and Taylor 
had, in consequence, the satisfaction of procuring a fellow- 
ship for his friend. Dr. Stearne, already mentioned, (though a 
married man, and, therefore, not statutably eligible,) on the 
plea that, in so great a scarcity of able candidates, his 
learning, and long acquaintance with the college, made his 
presence absolutely necessary. In the mean time, Taylor 
undertook the task of collecting, arranging, revising, and 
completing the body of statutes which bishop Bedell had 
left unfinished; — in settling the form and conditions under 
which degrees were to be conferred; — in appointing public 
lectures and disputations; — and in laying the basis of the 
distinguished reputation v/hich the university of Dublin has 
since retained, in spite of its unfortunate situation in a 
luxurious metropolis, and the disadvantageous competition 
which it has been compelled to carry on with the elder and 
more extensive establishments of the sister kingdom ^. 

His labours in his diocese were still greater, and their 
result, at first, far less satisfactory, inasmuch as their scope 
was more extended, and the prejudices against which he 
had to contend were of deeper root, and involved more 
important interests. 

It has happened almost uniformly, in cases of religious 
difference, that those schisms have been most bitter, if not 
most lasting, which have arisen on topics of dispute com- 
paratively unimportant, and where the contending parties 
had, apparently, least to concede, and least to tolerate. Nor 
are there many instances on record which more fully and 
more unfortunately exemplify this general observation, than 
that of the quarrel and final secession of the puritan clergy 

*" Carte's Life of Oinioiul, vol. ii. p. 208. 



100 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

from the church, in the year 1662. Both parties, in that 
case, were agreed on the essentials of Christianity. Both 
professed themselves not unwilling to keep out of sight, and 
mutually endure, the few doctrinal points on which a differ- 
ence existed between them. The leading puritans were even 
disposed to submit to that episcopal government, their oppo- 
sition to which, during former reigns, had created so much 
disturbance, and had led, by degrees, to such abundant 
bloodshed and anarchy. And it is no less true than strange, 
that this great quarrel, which divided so many holy and 
learned preach(firs of the common faith, was occasioned and 
perpetuated by men, w^io, chiefly resting their objections to 
the form and colour of an ecclesiastical garment, the wording 
of a prayer, or the injunction of kneeling at the eucharist, 
were willing, for questions like these, to disturb the peace of 
the religious world, and subject themselves to the same 
severities which they had previously inflicted on the epi- 
scopal clergy. 

With these men, whether in England or Ireland, there 
were apparently only three lines of conduct for the ruling- 
powers to follow. The first was the adoption of such a 
liturgy and form of church government as w^onld, at once, 
satisfy the advocates of episcopacy and presbytery. This was 
attempted in vain; and was, indeed, a measure, the failure 
of which, a very slight attention to the prejudices and 
animosity of both parties would have enabled a bystander to 
anticipate. The second was that which was, at least virtually, 
promised by the king in the declaration of Breda; that, 
namely, uniformity of discipline and worship should, for the 
present, not be insisted on; that the Presbyterian and In- 
dependent preachers should, during their lives, be continued 
in the churches where they were settled; ejecting only those 
who had been forcibly intruded, to the prejudice of persons 
yet alive, and who might legally claim re-instatement ; and 
filling up the vacancies of such as died, with ministers epi- 
scopally ordained and canonically obedient. In this case, it 
is possible that, as the stream of preferment and patronage 
would have been confined to those who conformed, as the 
great body of the nation were strongly attached to the 
liturgy, and gave a manifest preference to those churches 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.l). ]01 

where it was iised^; and as the covenantino; clergy would 
have no longer been under the influence of that point of 
honour, which, when its observance was compulsory, induced 
them to hold out against it, — the more moderate, even of 
the existing generation, would have by degrees complied 
with their own interests and the inclination of their flocks ; 
while the course of nature, and the increasing infirmities of 
age, must, in a few years, have materially diminished the 
numbers and influence of the more pertinacious. We have 
found, in fact, by experience, that the liturgy has, through 
its intrinsic merits, obtained, by degrees, no small degree of 
reverence even among those who, on other grounds, or on no 
grounds at all, dissent from the church of England, as at 
present constituted. And it is possible that, by thus for- 
bearing to press its observance on those whose minds were 
so ill prepared to receive it, a generation would soon have 
arisen, to whom their objections would have appeared in their 
natural weakness, and the greatest and least rational of those 
schisms had been prevented, which have destroyed the 
peace and endangered the existence of the British churches. 
But, while we, at the present day, are amusing ourselves 
with schemes of what we should have done had we lived in 
the time of our fathers, it may be well, for the justification 
of these last, to consider how little the principles of toleration 
were then understood by either party ; how deeply and hov/ 
recently the episcopal clergy, and even the laity of the same 
persuasion, had suffered from the very persons who now 
called on them for forbearance ; how ill the few measures 
which were really proposed, of a conciliatory nature, were 
met by the disingenuousness of some of the presbyterian 
leaders, and the absurd bigotry of others'^, and the reason- 
able suspicion which was thus excited, that nothing would 
content them but the entire proscription of the forms to 
which they objected. Nor can we greatly wonder, that 
under such circumstances, the third and simplest course was 
adopted, — that, namely, of imposing afresh on all a liturgy, 
to vv'hich the great body of the people was ardently attached, 
and the disuse of which, in any particular parishes, (when 
the majority of congregations enjoyed it,) was likely to be 

« Clarendon, Life, p. 157. t^'l- 1759. ^ Note(Iin). 



102 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

attended with abundant discontent and inconvenience. 
These considerations are, indeed, no apology for the fresh 
ao;o;ressions of which the episcopalian party were guilty; for 
their unseasonable though well intended alterations of the 
liturgy ; and the hostile clauses inserted in their new act of 
uniformity. Far less can they extenuate the absurd wicked- 
ness of the persecution afterwards resorted to against those 
whom these measures had confirmed in their schism. But 
they may lead us to apprehend that, (though a very few 
concessions more would have kept such men as Baxter and 
Philip Henry in the church,) there would have been very 
many whom no concession would have satisfied ; and that the 
offence of schism w^as, in a great degree, inevitable, though a 
different course, on the side of the victorious party, might 
have rendered it of less wide diffusion, and of less deep and 
lasting malignancy. 

If a temper thus unfavourable to peace prevailed in 
Eno-land, there is reason to believe that in Ireland it was 
still more powerful. Even among the episcopalian clergy, 
during the continuance of then- establishment, no incon- 
siderable leaven of puritanism had been found ; and the 
venerable Usher himself, though during the triumph of Cal- 
vinism, he saw reasons for altering his sentiments, gave 
encouragement, at an earlier period, by his example and his 
patronage to these unattractive and gloomy tenets. But, 
by the absurd and most miserable rebellion of the Roman 
Catholics, begun in rashness and miscalculation by the crazy 
patriotism of Roger More; carried on in folly and brutal cruelty 
l3y the drunken O'Neil, and the savage rabble, whom he 
could neither lead nor control ; and suppressed by a system 
of military tyranny the most perfect, the most effectual, the 
most wicked, and remorseless, of which Christendom affords 
an example ; — the Protestant episcopal clergy had all been 
swept away from that ill-starred kingdom. Their places had 
been supplied by the most zealous adherents of the common- 
wealth and the covenant, who were supported by the ma- 
jority of those who had profited during the merciless system 
of confiscation which Cromwell had put in practice, and by 
the officers and men of a numerous army, formed in his 
school and under his immediate auspices, whom the govern- 
ment could neither pay nor discharge, — and who, though 



LIFE OF JEllEINIY TAYLOR, D.D. 103 

they had concurred in the restoration of the crown, were 
very httle disposed to sanction that of the mitre. 

Ah'eady these men had gained confidence by the delay 
which intervened between the royal designation of the new 
bishops to their respective sees, and their solemn consecra- 
tion to the sacred office. And it is probable that, but for the 
zeal of Ormond, seconded by his great popularity, and by the 
firmness of the small majority of Irish nobility a]|,d gentry, 
who were attached, by old recollections and a sense of 
recent oppression, to the institutions which Calvinism had 
supplanted, the hierarchy and the Common Prayer would 
have had a similar and a yet earlier extinction in that king- 
dom than in Scotland. Fortunately for good taste and 
rational piety, the friends of both were triumphant ; and, 
more happily still for the national honour and prosperity, the 
restoration of both was effected without any of those seve- 
rities towards dissenters which, in England and Scotland, 
disgrace the annals of Charles the Second. Yet the year 
1660 passed aw^ay without any steps being taken in favour 
of episcopacy; and it was only on January the 27th of 
the following year, that two archbishops and ten bishops 
were consecrated by Bramhall, formerly bishop of Derry, 
and now primate, with great pomp and loud exultation of the 
loyalists, in the cathedral of St. Patrick. Of the bishops 
Taylor was one, and appointed to preach the sermon. Of 
his talents, indeed, the government in church and state seem 
to have been fully sensible, and naturally anxious to avail 
themselves, since it w as he who w^as also called on to preach, 
on the 8th of May, before the two houses of Parliament, and 
again, before the primate, at his metropolian visitation of 
Down and Connor. 

Honours and preferment were now flowing fast upon 
him. In February he was made a member of the Irish 
Privy Council, and, on the 30th of April, in addition to 
his former diocese, was entrusted with the administration 
of the small adjacent one of Dromore, " on account," in the 
words of the writ under the privy seal, " of his virtue, 
wisdom, and industry^." 



' Rot. Pat. LT (!ai-. 11. 'iada jiar.s, facie. See also Ilarns's W&re, 
y. 205. 



104 LIFE OF JEREMY TAVLOK, D.D. 

For all these good qualities, and for patience more than 
all, the state of his dioceses afforded him, indeed, abundant 
occasion. It was in this part of Ireland, more than any 
other, that the clearance of the episcopalian clergy had been 
most effectual, and that their places had been supplied 
by the sturdiest champions of the covenant, taken for the 
most part from the west of Scotland, — disciples of Cameron, 
Renwick/ and Peden, and professing, in the wildest and 
most gloomy sense, the austere principles of their party. 
Such men as these, more prejudiced in proportion as they 
were worse educated than the other adherents of Calvin, 
were neither to be impressed by the zeal with which the 
new prelate discharged the duties of his station, nor 
softened by the tenderness and charity expressed in his 
deportment towards themselves. It was in vain, so far as 
they were concerned, that he preached every Sunday in 
different churches of his diocese ; that he invited his clergy 
to friendly conferences; that he personally called at their 
houses; employed the good offices of pious laymen of their 
own persuasion, and offered his best endeavours to give 
satisfaction or obtain relief for their scruples. 

In answer to these advances, the pulpits resounded with 
exhortations to stand by the covenant even unto blood ; 
with bitter invectives against the episcopal order, and against 
Taylor more particularly ; while the preachers entered into 
a new engagement among themselves, " to speak with no 
bishop, and to endure neither their government nor their 
persons." The virtues and eloquence of Taylor, however, 
were not without effect on the laity, who were, at the same 
time, offended by the refusal of their pastors to attend a 
public conference. The nobility and gentry of the three 
dioceses, with one single exception, came over, by degrees, 
to the bishop's side ; and we are even assured by Carte, 
that, during the two years which intervened before the 
enforcement of the Act of Uniformity, the great majority of 
the ministers themselves had yielded, if not to his arguments, 
to his persevering kindness and Christian example^. 

In the mean time, however, some traces of disappointment 
and irritation are, I think, perceivable in his sermon before 

*' Carte, ubi j;upra. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 105 

the two houses of Parliament. He tliere inveighs with 
some asperity against such as thought it a less sin to stand 
in separation from the church, than to stand in a clean white 
garment : and observes, that " we have seen the vilest part 
of mankind, men that have done things so horrid, worse 
than which the sun never saw, yet pretend tender con- 
sciences against ecclesiastical laws/' He urges, forcibly 
and ably, that, in things indifferent or doubtful, it must be 
safe to follow the decision of our superiors ; that, in all cases, 
obedience is free from those results which are the greatest 
aggravation of the crime of heresy, and that, therefore, in 
the great majority of cases, dissent is more dangerous than 
conformity. He presses the consideration that no laws can 
stand at all, if all who dislike them may plead conscience as 
an exemption ; and he presses also, (what is easily said in 
the case of our brother, but what every man in his own case 
receives with difficulty,) that they who dislike the discipline 
of a church are at liberty to resign their preferments^. 

We shall do him an injustice, however, if we sup- 
pose him to hold these doctrines without qualification ; 
without allowances for invincible prejudice, for human 
infirmity, and the many other considerations which must be 
taken into account in every reformation or return to original 
principles. On the contrary, he expresses a hope that, in 
all measures to be adopted for the government of the 
church, wherever " weak brethren shall still plead for tole- 
ration and compliance, the bishops would consider where 
it can do good and do no harm ; where they are permitted, 
and where they are themselves tied up by the laws ; and, 
in all things where it is safe and holy, to labour to give them 
ease and bring them remedy." 

And there is one circumstance which it is absolutely 
necessary to bear in mind while forming our opinion on this 
part of Taylor's conduct ; that, namely, the obedience which 
he claims, as due to the laws of ecclesiastical superiors, is 
that obedience only which is paid by the members of their 
own communion. It is, in fact, no more than the privilege 
(which every Christian society exerts, and must exert for its 
own preservation), to have the offices of its ministry supplied 

« Vol. vi. p. cccxxxi. et seq. 



106 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

by such men as conform to the regulations imposed by the 
body at large, or those to whom its powers are delegated. 

On toleration, properly so called, in its civil sense and on 
its broadest foundation, he has, in this discourse, said nothing 
at variance with his " Liberty of Prophesying." And so far is 
any thing which he here advances from sanctioning those 
penal enactments which the jealousy of succeeding parlia- 
ments directed against the professors of other creeds, that 
his main argument proceeds on the supposition that sects 
who could not agree might charitably differ. The model, 
in short, of mutual forbearance, which he proposed to his 
countrymen, was the same with that exhibited by the ruling 
and notoriously tolerant churches of Geneva, Switzerland, 
and the Low Countries, who arranged their own internal 
concerns as they themselves thought most expedient, but 
who never attempted to disturb the liberties of those who 
conscientiously forsook their communion. 

And if, in an orator of Taylor's principles, a more 
definite caution is required against the crime of religious 
persecution, let it be remembered, that he could not have 
foreseen the temper in which the work now begun was 
afterwards carried on and completed. The declarations of 
the king had hitherto breathed nothing but conciliation and 
indulgence to weak consciences ; and, from the known 
principles of many of the leading characters of the Irish 
Parliament, the episcopalians of that nation, in particular, 
had no reason to apprehend that too little regard would be 
shown to the wishes of the puritans''. 

One subject there was, however, on which an abun- 
dant share of the Christian virtues of disinterestedness, 
forgiveness, justice, and compassion, was no more than 
necessary to guide his auditors to a right decision ; — a 
decision in which the interests and even existence of many 
thousand families were implicated, and which some of the 
worst and strongest feelings of avarice, party spirit, and 
deeply rooted hostility, conspired to pervert or embarrass. I 
mean the question of the Irish confiscated estates, on which 
it is gratifying to find Taylor speaking with the discrimi- 
nation of one who well understood the affairs of that king- 

'' Carte, ubi supra. 



LIFE OF JERE:\IY TAYLOR, D.D. 107 

dom, no less than with that authority and earnestness which 
it becomes a Christian bishop to display on the side of the 
oppressed and unfortunate. 

" Ye cannot obey God unless you do justice : for tliis 
also * is better than sacrifice/ said Solomon. For Christ, 
who is the sun of righteousness, is a sun and shield to them 
that do righteously. The Indian was not immured suf- 
ficiently by the Atlantic sea, nor the Bosphoran by the walls 
of ice, nor the Arabian by his meridian sun : the Christian 
justice of the Roman princes brake through all enclosures, 
and by justice, set up Christ's standard, and gave to all the 
world a testimony how much could be done by prudence 
and valour, when they were conducted by the hands of 
justice: and now you will have a great trial of this part 
of your obedience to God. 

" For you are to give sentence in the causes of half a 
nation : and he had need to be a wise and a good man that 
divides the inheritance amongst brethren; that he may not 
be abused by contrary pretences, — nor biassed by the interest 
of friends, — nor transported with the unjust thoughts even of 
a just revenge, — nor allured by the opportunities of spoil, — 
nor turned aside by partiality in his own concerns, — nor 
blinded by gold, which puts out the eyes of wise men, — nor 
cozened by pretended zeal, — nor wearied with the difficulty 
of questions, — nor directed by a general measure in cases 
not measurable by it, — nor borne down by prejudice, — nor 
abused by resolutions taken before the cause be heard, — nor 
overruled by national interests. For justice ought to be the 
simplest thing in the world, and is to be measured by nothing 
but by truth, and by laws, and by the degrees of princes. 
But, whatever you do, let not the pretence of a different religion 
make you think it lawful to oppi'css any man in his just rights; 
for opinions are not, but laws only, and ' doing as we ivould he 
done to,' are the measures of justice: and, though justice does 
alike to all men, Jew and Christian, Lutheran and Calvinist ; 
yet, to do right to them that are of another opinion is the way 
to win them : but if you, for conscience sake, do them wrong, 
they will hate both you and your religion. 

'* Lastly ; as ' obedience is better than sacrifice,' so God 
also said, ' I will have mercy and not sacrifice;' meaning 



108 LIFE OF JEREIMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

that mercy is the best obedience. ' Perierat totum quod 
Deus fecerat, nisi misericordia subvenisset,' said Chry- 
sologus : all the creatures both in heaven and earth woi|ld 
perish, if mercy did not relieve us all. Other good things, 
more or less, every man expects according to the portion of 
his fortune. * Ex dementia omnes idem sperant ; ' but from 
mercy and clemency all the world alike do expect advan- 
tages. And which of us all stands here this day, that does 
not need God's pardon and the king's ? Surely no man is 
so much pleased with his own iimocence, as that he will 
be willing to quit his claim to mercy, and, if we all need it, 
let us all show it. 

" Naturae imperio gemimus, cum funus adultae 
Virginis occurrit, vel terra clauditur infans 
Et minor igue rogi ! " 

" If you do but see a maiden carried to her grave a 
little before her intended marriage, or an infant die before 
the birth of reason, nature has taught us to pay a tributary 
tear. Alas ! your eyes will behold the ruin of many families, 
which, though they sadly have deserved, yet mercy is not 
delighted with the spectacle ; and therefore God places a 
watery cloud in the eye, that, when the light of heaven 
shines on it, it may produce a rainbow, to be a sacrament 
and a memorial that God and the sons of God do not love 
to see a man perish. God never rejoices in the death of 
him that dies, and we also esteem it indecent to have music 
at a funeral. And, as religion teaches us to pity a con- 
demned criminal, so mercy intercedes for the most benign 
interpretation of the laws. You must, indeed, he as just as the 
laws: and you tnust be as merciful as your religion: and you 
have no umij to tie these together, but tofolloio the pattern in the 
mount ; do as God does, ivho in judgment remembers mercy !'' 

Occupied as Taylor now was, his contributions to the 
press were not likely to be frequent or considerable, and, 
except his Consecration Sermon, his Sermon before the 
Parliament, and a small manual of rules for his clergy, (of 
whom, it hence appears, he had already reconciled no 
inconsiderable number,) we are acquainted with no other 
publications of his during this year. These he mentions, 
more slightly than they deserve, in the following letter. 



LIFE OF JERFMY TAYLOR, D.D. 109 

'' TO JOHN EVELYN, ESQUIRE. 

" Dublin, November IC, 1G6L 

*' Deare Sir, — Your owiie worthinesse and the 
obligations you have so often pass'd upon me have imprinted 
in me so great a value and kindnesse to your person, that I 
thinke myselfe not a little concerned in yourselfe and all 
your relations, and all the great accidents of your life. Doe 
not therefore thinke me either impertinent or otherwise 
without employment, if I doe with some care and earnest- 
nesse inquire into your health and the present condition of 
your affaires. Sir, when shal we expect your * Terrestrial 
Paradise,' your excellent observations and discourses of 
gardens, of which I had a little posy presented to me by 
your owne kind hand : and makes me long for more. Sir, 
I and all that understand excellent fancy, language and 
deepest loyalty, are bound to value your excellent panegyric, 
which I saw and read with pleasure. I am pleased to read 
your excellent mind in so excellent [an] idea; for as a 
father in his son's face, so is a man's soule imprinted in all 
the pieces that he labours. Sir, I am so full of publicke 
concernes and the troubles of businesse in my diocese, that 
I cannot yet have leisure to thinke of much of my old 
delightful imployment. But I hope I have brought my 
affaires almost to a consistence, and then I may returne 
againe. Royston (the bookseller) hath two Sermons and a 
little Collection of Rules for my Clergy, which had beene 
presented to you if I had thought [them] fit for notice, or to 
send to my dearest friends. 

** Dear Sir, 1 pray let me hear from you as often as you 
can, for you will veiy much oblige me, if you will continue 
to love me still. I pray give my love and deare reg^irds to 
worthy Mr. Thurland : let me heare of him and his good 
lady, and how his son does. God blesse you and yours, 
him and his. I am, 

" Deare Sir, 

" Your most affectionate friend, 

« JEREM. DUNENSIS*." 

' K\ elyu Papers, ijied. 



110 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOU, D.D. 

This is the last letter which has been yet discovered 
between the two friends. I am loath to think that their 
correspondence terminated here, though it appears probable 
from some expressions of Taylor's, that it had already begun 
to slacken, and that this languor had first commenced on 
the part of Evelyn. The latter, however, as appears from 
his diary, continued to regard Taylor with unmingled feelings 
of respect and esteem, and, when speaking, many years after, 
of Mary Marsh, he calls her '* the daughter of his worthy 
and pious friend, the late bishop of Down and Connor." 
That friend, however, was then no more ; and if we are really 
to account for the apparent cessation of correspondence, by 
the supposition that an affection founded in similarity of 
sentiment, and cemented by benefits and prayers, though 
it had withstood the severest blasts of adversity, had 
gradually faded under the influence of long continued 
absence and change of circumstances and occupation ; it 
will be only another proof how vain is that life where 
even our best and noblest ties are subject to dissolution and 
decay, and how valuable is that hope which teaches us that 
the love which is founded in virtue and piety shall revive 
again, and continue to form, in part, the happiness of an 
existence where neither absence nor change is to be feared ! 

During this year, Taylor had again experienced the hand 
of Providence weighing heavily on his domestic comforts. 
On the 10th of March, his son Edward was buried at 
Lisburn, — the only surviving son, as I apprehend, of his 
second marriage. He had found also an occasion for his 
pious munificence in the ruined state of his cathedral at 
Dromore, of which he rebuilt the choir at his own expense : 
his wife (not his daughter, as has been generally supposed,) 
contributing the communion plate ^. 

During this year, too, he invited over George Rust, a 
Fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge, with a promise of 
conferring on him the deanery of Connor, which was 
expected to be shortly vacant. Rust was afterwards Tay- 
lor's successor in the see of Dromore, and preached his 
Funeral Sermon, a work to which we are obliged, in the 
paucity of othpr materials, for our knowledge of many 

^ .Note (I I). 



LIFE OF JERKMV TAYLOR, D.D. HI 

leading circumstances of his life, his fortunes, and character. 
It is remarkable that the preacher himself, though an 
eminent person in his day, and though his friend Glanvill 
has extolled him as a profound divine, a powerful orator, and 
an admirable philosopher, is now chiefly, if not altogether, 
recollected through his accidental connexion with the more 
illustrious memory of his predecessor. 

Of Taylor's domestic concerns, at this time, little more is 
known than that he continued to occupy his favourite 
retirement of Portmore, where he had a house and farm, 
and lived in intimate friendship with the family of Lord 
Conway. For our knowledge even of these particulars, 
which are, however, confirmed by the fact that his son 
Edward was buried at Lisburn, we are indebted to two 
strange stories in that strange book the ** Sadducismus 
Triumphatus," of Glanvill, edited and enlarged by More, 
which, (though its ravenous credulity and ghostly frontis- 
pieces may, at present, be thought only proper to alarm a 
nursery,) displays in some of its arguments much of that 
singular Platonic learning by which its author and editor 
were distinguished, and has, undoubtedly, adduced some 
evidences of apparitions which it is easier to ridicule than 
to disprove. 

One of these was a spirit, supposed, on Michaelmas-day 
in the year 1662, to appear to one Francis Taverner, '* a 
lusty, proper, stout fellow, then servant at large, afterwards 
porter, to the Lord Chichester, Earl of Donegal," near 
Drumbridge, in the county of Antrim, and in Taylor's 
diocese of Connor. The object of the ghost's return to 
earth, which he should seem to have effected in a respectable 
grazierly style, on horseback, and in a white coat, — was to 
recover for his orphan boy a lease, of which his widow and 
her second husband had wronged him. Taylor, who was 
then holding his visitation at Dromore, appears to have been 
desired to examine Traverner respecting what he had seen and 
heard ; and is said by the narrator of the story, a certain 
Mr. Alcock, his secretary, to have been satisfied as to the 
truth of the narration. On a second meeting, however, 
with Taverner, at Lord Donegal's house, and in company 
with my *' Lady Conway and other persons of quality," — he 
furnished Taverner with a string of interrogatories which he 



112 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

was to propose to the spirit on its next appearance, which 
sufficiently prove he was little inclined to " take the ghost's 
word for a thousand pounds." 

The attention, however, attracted by Taverner's story, 
was sufficient, the following year, to make one David Hunter, 
the bishop's own neat-herd, commence ghost-seer in liis 
turn, and leave his bed every night, for three quarters of a 
year, to follow, though sorely against his will, the spirit of 
an old woman through the neighbouring woods, till at 
length, he had the courage to speak to her. Good Lady 
Conway was convinced of his being really under no delusion, 
but it does not appear that Taylor paid any attention to his 
story. The narrative, however, is, on all accounts, curious, 
and not the less so as proving the fact of the bishop's 
residence and farm at Portmore. 

On the questions proposed to Taverner's aerial visitant, 
some bitter criticisms appear in the " Illustrious Providences" 
of Increase Mather, printed at Boston, 168^, p. 225. The pre- 
sent generation will pass a milder censure on him. What 
Taylor's sentiments were on the general question of departed 
spirits re-appearing, may be learned from the manner in 
which he treats the apparitions alleged by the Romish priests 
in behalf of the doctrine of purgatory, — after instancing 
some of which in a strain of powerful sarcasm, he goes on to 
say that, 

** Against this way of proceeding we think fit to admonish 
the people of our charges, that, besides that the Scriptures 
expressly forbid us to inquire of the dead for truth ; the holy 
doctors of the church, particularly Tertullian, St. Athanasius, 
St. Chrysostom, Isidor, and Theophylact, deny that the souls 
of the dead ever do appear; and bring many reasons to 
prove that it is unfitting they should ; saying, if they did, 
it wovdd be the cause of many errors, and the devils, under 
that pretence, might easily abuse the world with notices 
and revelations of their own ; and because Christ would 
have us content with Moses and the prophets, and especially, 
to ' hear that prophet whom the Lord our God hath raised 
up' amongst us, our blessed Jesus, who never taught any 
such doctrine to his church'." 

' Di&siiasive from Popery, vol.x. p. 152. Note (J J)- 



LIFE OF JKRK.MV TAYLOR, D.D 113 

He had, as we have seen, complained to Evelyn of the 
interruptions which his present duties offered to his more 
beloved studies ; and, in 1662, nothing of liis composition 
issued from the press but the " Via Intelligentise," a sermon 
preached before the university of Dublin, on the same plan 
(he tells us), and following the same ideas, though in different 
words, with that which he had preached, but not published, 
the year before, at the archiepiscopal visitation. Its purport 
is, in a great measure, the same which he had partly insisted 
on in his Liberty of Prophesying, — that the likeliest way to 
avoid all religious errors, and the only and certain way to 
prevent our errors from being damnable, is to apply our- 
selves to the practice of holiness, piety, and charity, and 
to the teaching of that Holy Spirit, whose aid, in all things 
essential to salvation, will never be wanting to the sincere, 
the humble, and the pure. There are some expressions in 
this discourse which have been too hastily interpreted into 
an abandonment, or at least a qualification, of the large 
notions of religious liberty which, in his QsoXoytu szXszrr/.ri, he 
had so powerfully supported. A comparison of the cor- 
responding passages in each will, however, clear him from 
this imputation, and prove that, in admitting the legality of 
any coercion in such matters, he only means, what he had 
never denied, that if the consequences of the opinion are 
injurious to the peace of society, it may, accidentally, 
become a question of policy, how far the publication of 
the opinion should be allow^ed. Thus, in his Liberty of 
Prophesying, he had explicitly admitted, that, " if either 
the teachers of an opinion themselves, or their doctrine, 
do really, and without colour or feigned pretext, disturb 
the public peace and just interests, they are not to be 
suffered "\" And this is all which he can be fairly said to 
allow in his present sermon, when, after saying, what is most 
true, that the object of toleration is, in the first instance, 
not truth, but peace, he urges, that when " by opinions 
men rifle the affairs of kingdoms, it is also as certain, they 
ought not to be made public and permitted"." I do not 
say that such an admission, unless restricted within narrow 

"" Lib. of Proph. voL viii. p. 145. 

" i>ermon before the Univ. of Dublin, vol. vi, p. 37??. 



114 L 1 y K O F J K R E M Y T A \' L O li , I) . I) .- 

bounds, and guarded with greater precision than, either 
here or in the Liberty of Prophesying, Taylor has employed, 
may not be dangerous to the principals which he has else- 
where, with such admirable ability, supported. A better 
opportunity will, ere long, present itself, of examining the 
extent and clearness of his views on this most interesting- 
subject. But it is of consequence to his moral, no less 
than his philosophical character, to show that his opinions 
were the same at different periods of his life, and under very 
different circumstances. And it is perfectly apparent, from 
the general tenour and tendency of the discourse of which 
I am speaking, that he was as tolerant as ever of religious 
differences, simply taken. Nor am I acquainted with any 
composition of human eloquence which is more deeply 
imbued with a spirit of practical holiness, — which more 
powerfully attracts the attention of men from the subtilties 
of theology to the duties and charities of religion, — or 
which evinces a more lofty disdain of those trifling subjects 
of dispute which, then or since, have divided the Protestant 
churches. 

" The way," he tells us, '' to judge of religion, is by 
doing of our duty : and theology is rather a divine life than 
a divine knowledge. In heaven, indeed, we must first see, 
and then love ; but here, on earth, we must first love, and 
love will open our eyes as well as our hearts ; and we shall 
then see, and perceive, and understand." 

In pursuance of this train of thought, he goes on to 
show how strangely vice and self-interest have power to 
clog and hebetate the understanding ; how necessaiy is the 
aid of God's Spirit to direct the will aright ; and how much 
that spiritual assistance, which is really and ordinarily pro- 
mised in Scripture, differs from the new revelations, the 
visions, and the ecstacies, which fanatics, both in the Roman 
and Protestant churches, have expected or pretended to. 
He describes the Holy Ghost as a Spirit who ** does not 
spend his holy influences in disguises and convulsions of 
the understanding ;" who " does not destroy reason, but 
heightens it ;" who " goes in company with his own ordi- 
nances, and makes progressions by the measures of life ; 
his infusions are just as our acquisitions, and his graces 
pursue the methods of nature : that which was imperfect, he 



LIFK or JKUKMV TAYI.OK, D.D. lib 

leads on to perfection ; and that which was weak, he makes 
strong : he opens the heart, not to receive murmurs, or to 
attend to secret whispers, but to hear the word of God ; 
and then lie opens the heart, and creates a new one ; and 
without this new creation, this new principle of life, we 
may hear the word of God, but w^e can never understand 
it ; we hear the sound, but we are never the better ; unless 
there be in our hearts a secret conviction by the Spirit of 
God, the Gospel itself is a dead letter, and worketh not in 
us the lioht and riohteousness of God." 

After enlarging, in a strain of exalted eloquence and 
poetry, on the internal privileges of the truly good and 
sanctified by the communion of God's Spirit, he explains 
the knowledge which a holy man possesses of the mysteries 
of religion, compared with that of a more learned but worldly 
professor of Christianity, as excelling the latter in the same 
way that experience excels theory, and practice speculation. 
" What learning is it to discourse of the philosophy of the 
sacrament, if you do not feel the virtue of it ? and the man 
that can w^th eloquence and subtilty discourse of the in- 
strumental efficacy of baptismal waters, talks ignorantly in 
respect of him, who hath the answer of a good conscience 
within, and is cleansed by the purifications of the Spirit. 
If the question concern any thing that can perfect a man 
and make him happy, all that is the proper knowledge and 
notice of the good man. How can a wicked man understand 
the purities of the heart ? and how can an evil and unworthy 
communicant tell what it is to have received Christ by faith, 
to dwell with him, to be united to him, to receive him in his 
heart ? The good man only understands that : the one sees 
the colour, and the other feels the substance ; the one dis- 
courses of the sacrament, and the other receives Christ ; the 
one discourses for or against transubstantiation, but the 
good man feels himself to be changed, and so joined to 
Christ, that he only understands the true sense of transub- 
stantiation, while he becomes to Christ bone of his bone, 
flesh of his flesh, and of the same spirit with his Lord. 
* The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father 
will send in my name, he shall teach you all things.' Well : 
there is our teacher told of plainly ; but how shall we obtain 
this teacher, and how shall we be taught ? Christ will pray 



116 LIFK OF JEREMY TAYLOK. D.D. 

for US, that we may have this spirit. That is well : but shall 
all Christians have the Spirit ! Yes, all that will live like 
Christians ; for so said Christ, — ' If ye love me, keep my 
commandments ; and I will pray the Father, and he will give 
you another Comforter, that ho may abide with you for 
ever.' Mark these things. The Spirit of God is to be our 
teacher ; he will abide with us for ever to be our teacher ; 
he will teach us all things ; but how ? If ye love Christ, if 
ye keep his commandments, but not else : if ye be of the 
world, that is, of worldly affections, ye cannot see him, ye 
cannot know him." 

After applying the test of conformity to God's com- 
mandments to the spirit in which the religious disputes of 
his time had chiefly been carried on, and the doctrines 
which had been insisted on ; — after observing, that '' he 
that shall maintain it to be lawful to make a war for the 
defence of his opinion, be it what it will, his doctrine is 
against godliness ;" that he who, " for the garments and 
outsides of religion," neglects the duty of obedience to his 
superiors, " is a man of fancy and of the world," rather 
than of God and the Spirit ; and that " that is no good 
religion that disturbs governments, or shakes the foundation 
of public peace ;" — he closes his discourse with an exhorta- 
tion to those who were his immediate auditors, which they 
can hardly have heard without their hearts burning within 
them. 

" To you, fathers and brethren, — you, who are, or intend 
to be, of the clergy ; you see here the best compendium of 
your studies, the best abbreviature of your labours, the 
truest method of wisdom, and the infallible, the only way of 
judging concerning the disputes and questions in Christen- 
dom. It is not by reading multitudes of books, but by 
studying the truth of God : it is not by laborious com- 
mentaries of the doctors that you can finish your work, 
but by the expositions of the Spirit of God : it is not by 
the rules of metaphysics, but by the proportions of holi- 
ness : and, when all books are read, and all arguments 
examined, and all authorities alleged, nothing can be found 
to be true that is unholy. ' Give yourselves to reading, 
to exhortation, and to doctrine,' saith St. Paul. Read all 
good books you can ; but exhortation unto good life is the 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 117 

best instrument, and the best teacher of true doctrine, of 
that which is according to godliness. 

" And let me tell you this : the great learning of the 
fathers was more owing to their piety than to their skill ; 
more to God than to themselves: and to this purpose is 
that excellent ejaculation of St. Chrysostom, with which 
I will conclude : ' O blessed and happy men, whose names 
are in the book of life, from whom the devils fled, and 
heretics did fear them, who (by holiness) have stopped the 
mouths of them that spake perverse things ! But I, like 
David, will cry out. Where are thy loving-kindnesses which 
have been even of old ? Where is the blessed quire of 
bishops and doctors, who shined like lights in the world, 
and contained the word of life? * Dulce est meminisse ;' 
their very memory is pleasant. Where is that Evodias, the 
sweet savour of the church, the successor and imitator of 
the holy apostles ? Where is Ignatius, in whom God dwelt? 
Where is St. Dionysius, the Areopagite, that bird of Para- 
dise, that celestial eagle? Where is Hippolytus, that good 
man, dvrip y^ri^rhg^ that gentle sweet person ? Where is great 
St. Basil, a man almost equal to the apostles ? Where is 
Athanasius, rich in virtue ? Where is Gregory Nyssen, that 
great divine? And Ephrem, the great Syrian, that stirred 
up the sluggish, and awakened the sleepers, and comforted 
the afflicted, and brought the young men to discipline ; the 
looking-glass of the religious, the captain of the penitents, 
the destruction of heresies, the receptacle of graces, the 
habitation of the Holy Ghost?' — These were the men that 
prevailed against error, because they lived according to 
truth; and whoever shall oppose you, and the truth you 
walk by, may better be confuted by your lives than by your 
disputations. Let your adversaries have no evil thing to 
say of you, and then you will best silence them : for all 
heresies and false doctrines are but like Myron's counterfeit 
cow, it deceived none but beasts ; and these can cozen none 
but the wicked and the negligent, them that love a lie, and 
live according to it. But, if ye become burning and shining 
lights; if ye do not detain the truth in unrighteousness; if 
ye walk in light and live in the Spirit; your doctrines will 
be true, and that truth will prevail. But if ye live wickedly 
and scandalously, every little schismatic shall put you to 



118 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

shame, and draw disciples after him, and abuse your flocks, 
and feed them with colocynths and hemlock, and place 
heresy in the chairs appointed for your religion. 

** I pray God give you all grace to follow this wisdom, 
to study this learning, to labour for the understanding of 
godliness ; so your time and your studies, your persons and 
your labours, will be holy and useful, sanctified and blessed, 
Ijeneficial to men, and pleasing to God, through him who is 
the wisdom of the Father, who is made to all them that love 
him wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and re- 
demption." 

In 1663, Taylor published his x^/c/j TsXs/wr/z??, " a Defence 
and Introduction to the Rite of Confirmation," dedicated to 
the duke of Ormond; — three Sermons, preached at Christ 
Church, Dublin; — and a Funeral Sermon on the Primate 
Bramhall, full of curious information concerning the secret 
history of the times, and the pains which had been taken, 
with more success than was then generally known or appre- 
hended, to pervert the exiled king from the faith of his 
countrymen. He was now also busied on the last consider- 
able w^ork which he lived to publish, — his " Dissuasive from 
Popery," — which appeared in 1664. 

This task he had undertaken by desire of the collective 
body of Irish bishops; and their injunctions, and the obvious 
necessity of the measure, he represents as his only motives 
for again embarking in so troublous a sea, notwithstanding 
his great and increasing aversion to that and every other 
controversy. It was difficult, however, for any good man 
to survey the follies and idolatries of popery, as they sub- 
sisted around him in their most revolting forms, without 
being anxious, by every means in his power, to abate the 
evil, or prevent its farther diffusion. 

No part, indeed, of the administration of Ireland by 
the English crown, has been more extraordinary and more 
unfortunate, than the system pursued for the introduction 
of the reformed religion. Instead of sending, in the first 
instance, missionaries well skilled in their native tongue to 
convince the inhabitants of the errors of their ancient faith, 
and conciliate them to a reception of the new, the churches 
were filled with English preachers, whose nation made them 
unpopular, and whose ignorance of the language, which only 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 119 

their parishioners could speak or understand with readiness, 
prevented all extensive benefit from their zeal, however 
warm, and their abilities, however considerable. It was 
not even thought necessary to furnish them with a transla- 
tion either of the liturgy or the Scriptures : though, by a 
refinement in absurdity, they were to be compelled by a fine 
(Avhich, indeed, was rarely enforced,) to attendance on a 
church service, which was still more unintelligible to them 
than their ancient mass book, without having the same early 
associations to recommend it to them. Accordingly, while 
Wales, from an opposite line of treatment, received the 
doctrines of the Reformation with avidity, and, at an early 
period, was become almost exclusively Protestant; — while 
the Norman Isles have ever since been amongst the most 
faithful adherents of the episcopal church, from the advan- 
tage of French preachers and a French service book, — 
Ireland, with a people above most others docile and sus- 
ceptible of new impressions, has remained, through a great 
majority of her population, in the profession of a creed 
discountenanced by the state, and under the dominion of 
prejudices which, even to the present moment, no effectual 
measures have been taken to remove. A few unconnected, 
though zealous, and, so far as they went, successful efforts 
to remove this ignorance, were made by such men as Usher 
and the excellent bishop Bedell, and afterwards by Mr. 
Boyle. But government, which ought to have given the 
first impulse, was bent on a narrow and illiberal policy of 
supplanting the Irish by the English language, to which the 
present moral and religious instruction of millions was to 
give way, and which, though it has in part succeeded, 
(through circumstances of which the march was altogether 
independent of the measures taken to forward it,) has left 
a division of the national heart, far worse than that of the 
tongue, and perpetuated prejudices which might at first 
have been easily removed or softened. Even now, though 
the liturgy has been translated, and though there are many 
parishes where English is almost unknown, — throughout 
Ireland, if I am rightly informed, no public prayers are 
offered up in the ancient language; and though a version 
of the Scriptures has long existed, it is only within the few 



120 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

last years, that any attempts have been made to ch'culatc 
them among the poor. 

It was, indeed, the misfortune of Ireland, and one which 
materially prevented the application of any active means for 
the conversion of her natives to a pure mode of faith and 
w^orship, that among the English clergy, who were the first 
heralds of Protestantism to her shores, a large proportion 
were favourers of the peculiar system of Calvin; — a system, 
of all others, the least attractive to the feelings of a Roman 
Catholic ; and the professors of which, as they looked on 
their brethren of the church of England as themselves little 
better than idolaters, have generally been more inclined to 
spend their zeal in a disturbance of the internal peace of 
their own communion, than in an energetic extension of the 
general principles of Protestantism among those who are 
v/ithout its pale. In England, during the reign of king 
Edward, when the great impression was, in fact, given to 
the public mind in favour of the monarch's creed, the points 
of difference which afterwards arose among its supporters 
were happily unknown, or wisely suppressed; and the transi- 
tion in the external forms of worship was so small, and the 
changes w4iich struck the common people most were all so 
obviously for the better, that even the ministers of the old 
religion had no good plea for withdrawing themselves from 
the church, and the body kept its ancient shape and sub- 
stance, thouoh its deformities were removed, and new blood 
infused throughout the system. To the Irish, Protestantism 
presented itself as a system on which its own members were 
not agreed ; and of Protestants, that party which for a time 
gained the victory was precisely that one whose rites and 
doctrines were most at variance with all to which the Irish 
had been accustomed, and whose professors regarded the 
Irish Roman Catholic with most contempt and abhorrence. 
The unhappy rebellion of More and O'Nial, in 1641, loaded 
as the memory of its instigators must ever remain with the 
stain of folly, blood-guiltiness, and cruelty, was accelerated, 
no doubt, if not occasioned, by the oppression of Sir William 
Parsons, and the other headn of the puritan faction ; by a 
dread of those severities, the not inflicting of which on the 
Papists, tlic Calvinists, both in Ireland and England, made 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAVLOR, D.T). 121 

a leading charge against their sovereign, and by the inter- 
ruption, through the influence of the same rising party, of 
the wise and benevolent, though vigorous policy, introduced 
in Ireland under the Stuart dynasty". 

On the consequences of that rebellion, — consequences 
even at the present day most deeply and injuriously felt by 
the church of Ireland and her national prosperity, — this is not 
the place to enlarge. It is only necessary to observe, that 
during Taylor's life, and at the time of w^hich I am speaking, 
they existed in all their greatest and most recent deformity ; 
and that, more particularly, the maintenance of the ancient 
religion was, with the original Irish, a bond of union and 
mutual support, — a guarantee to their political existence, — 
a title to their alienated possessions, — and a pledge of their 
future vengeance on those by whom they had been despoiled. 
And while the more educated classes of society had these 
cogent reasons for listening with reluctance to any thing 
which might be urged against the faith of their ancestors, 
the understandings and consciences of the illiterate peasantry 
were in the keeping of those who had still stronger motives 
of prejudice and interest to retain them in the old super- 
stition. " The Roman religion," as Taylor himself observes, 
" is here amongst us a faction, and a state party, and design 
to recover their old laws and barbarous manner of livino;, — a 
device to enable them to dwell alone, and to be ' populus 
unius labii,' a people of one language and unmingled with 
others. And if this be religion, it is such an one as ought to 
be reproved by all the severities of reason and religion, lest 
the people perish, and their souls be cheaply given away to 
them that make merchandise of souls, who were the purchase 
and price of Christ's blood ! " 

Such obstacles as these a learned treatise on the errors 
of popery was not very likely to batter down, and the author 
himself appears to have been extremely far I'rom participating 
an immediate or extensive success of his labours. " Having 
given," are his words, " this sad account, why it was neces- 
saiy that my lords the bishops should take care to do what 
they have done in this affair, and why I did consent to be 
engaged in this controversy, otherwise than I love to be ; 

" Carte's liifc ff Oimond. vol. i. n. i;{?». 



122 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

and since it is not a love of trouble and contention, but 
charity to the souls of the poor deluded Irish ; there is 
nothing remaining, but that we humbly desire of God to 
accept and to bless this well-meant labour of love ; and that, 
by some admirable ways of his providence, he will be pleased 
to convey to them the notices of their danger and their sin, 
and to deobstruct the passages of necessary truth to them ; 
for we know the arts of their guides, and that it will be very 
hard that the notice of these things shall ever be suffered to 
arrive to the common people, but that which hinders will 
hinder, until it be taken away : however, we believe and 
hope in God for remedy p/' 

The remedy may, at first sight, appear to have been more 
in the power of Taylor and his brethren than they were 
themselves, perhaps, aware of. If the Roman Catholics, as 
he had previously complained in this same preface, were so 
studiously kept back by their spiritual guides from acquiring 
a knowledge of English, it was surely a very obvious 
measure for the preachers of the true faith to inform them- 
selves in the ancient Irish. It was a course which Bedell 
had already tried with success, to introduce, as far as pos- 
sible, the Scriptures and the liturgy in that language into 
the churches ; and to promote to the care of parishes in 
preference to all others, such ministers as were able to cope 
with the friars on their own ground, and enable the peasants 
to hear the Gospel, every man in his own tongue wherein he 
was born. 

Had such a system even then been adopted, it is impos- 
sible to suppose that much good might not have been 
effected ; and this very discourse of Taylor's, though too 
long and too learned to penetrate among the mountains and 
into the cottages ; yet, as furnishing the agents in the work 
of conversion with arguments adapted alike to the ignorant 
and the learned ; with zeale increased in proportion to their 
own knowledge of the importance of the truths which they 
conveyed ; and with that celestial armoury of spiritual weapons 
which his admirable knowledge of Scripture has supplied, — 
might have itself been a source of light to thousands ; a 
means, in God's hand, of drying up the waters of bitterness, 

r Preface to " Dissuasiv^e from Popery," vol. x. p. cxxv. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 123 

and removing the greatest obstacle which has existed to the 
peace and prosperity of the empire. 

What peculiar hi ?7derances they were to which he alludes, 
(and it is but reasonable as well as charitable to believe that 
some such intervened to prevent the adoption of a plan so 
apparently obvious,) whether they were confined to Taylor's 
own diocese, or arose from the general state of the country 
and the neglect or impolicy of its government, it is now by 
no means easy to determine. The restoration of the Pro- 
testant episcopal church seems to have been a juncture pecu- 
liarly favourable for such exertions as I have mentioned ; and 
it is difficult to suppose that forms so like their own, and 
doctrines so conformable to reason, would have produced a 
less effect on the minds of the Irish, than has since been done 
by the preaching of the wildest and most ignorant sectaries. 

But, for the neglect or the oversight, if such existed, it 
was not Taylor who was chiefly answerable. He w^as one of 
many, and in rank not among the most eminent ; and he was 
already sinking under the burthen, not of years, but of a 
constitution broken with study and adversity'', and which 
was still more effectually crushed by severe domestic 
affliction. 

Of the second marriage, as we have already seen, one 
son only, Edward, had escaped the small-pox, and him he 
had buried at Lisburn. Of his two first, according to lady 
Wray, two sons survived. The eldest of these, whom she 
calls "her uncle Edward," though, as I conceive, mistakenly, 
was a captain of horse in the king's service, and fell in a 
duel wuth a brother officer of the name of Vane, who also 
died of his wounds. The second, Charles, w^as intended for 
the church, and remained, till of standing for his degree of 
Master of Arts, at Trinity College, Dublin. His views of 
life, however, and, as it should seem, his conduct, did not 
correspond with his father's hopes and example : and he 
became the favourite companion, and at length the secretary 
of Villiers, duke of Buckingham. He died of a decline, at 
the house of his patron at Baynard's castle, and was buried 
in St. Margaret's church, Westminster, August 2, 1667 \ 
The bishop himself, who had, as may be well believed, and 

T Xotc(KK). >■ Notp (LL). 



124 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

as his grand-daughter assures us, nearly sunk under the loss 
of his eldest son, and its unfortunate circumstances, can 
hardly have heard of this second blow before his own release. 
He was attacked by a fever, on the 3d of August in the 
same year, at Lisburn, where he appears, during the latter 
part of his life, to have often occasionally resided ; and died, 
after, a ten days^ sickness, in the fifty-fifth year of his age, 
and the seventh of his episcopacy. 

His remains were removed to Dromore, to the church of 
which place he had been a liberal benefactor. Dr. Rust, his 
friend, and his successor in that see, preached a funeral 
sermon, which, in itself, is no bady copy of Taylor's peculiar 
style of eloquence, and is well calculated to shew the vene- 
ration in which he was held, the sweetness of his temper, 
and the variety of his accomplishments. No monument, 
however, was erected to his memory, and about a century 
afterwards, his bones, and those of his friend Rust, were 
disturbed from their vault to make room for the coffin of 
another bishop ^ The late venerable bishop Percy had them 
carefully collected and replaced. That their repose was ever 
violated, or that they were suffered to lie neglected so long, 
is not to be recorded without indignation. 

At the time of his death he had already sent to the press 
the *' Second Part" of his " Dissuasive from Popery," being, 
in a great measure, an answer to " Sure Footing in Christi- 
anity," a work by John Serjeant, a Romish priest, who, in 
one of his appendices, had attacked some of Taylor's former 
positions. He had also written a *' Discourse on Christian 
Consolation," which was published in 1671, and was followed, 
in 1684, by '' Contemplations on the State of Man," a work 
which is marked as his on unquestionable authority, though 
it has the appearance of an unfinished production, and is by 
no means equal to the general style of his compositions. 

His widow survived him many years, but the place and 
time of her death is unknown. He left three daughters, of 
whom the eldest, Phoebe, died unmarried. The second, Mary, 
was the wife of Doctor Francis Marsh, successively dean of 
Connor and Armagh, bishop of Limerick and Kilmore, and 
archbishop of Dublin ; whose descendants, of the same name, 

" Mr. Jones's ]\ISS. 



LIFE OF JEREAIY TAYLOR, D.D. 125 

are numerous and wealthy. She is mentioned by Evelyn, 
who once met her, with her husband, at a meeting of the 
Royal Society, as a woman of abilities and attainments above 
the usual standard. The third, Joanna*, was married to 
Edward Harrison, of Maralave, esquire, member during many 
successive parliaments for the borough of Lisburn, whose 
daughter, already mentioned, married Sir Cecil Wray, and 
from whom was lineally descended William Todd Jones, of 
Homra, esquire, to whose MS. remains the present work in 
so materially indebted. A further account of these different 
branches will be found in the Notes". 

The comeliness of Taylor's person has been often noticed, 
and he himself appears to have been not insensible of it. 
Few authors have so frequently introduced their own por- 
traits, in different characters and attitudes, as ornaments 
to their printed works. So far as we may judge from 
these, he appears to have been above the middle size, 
strongly and handsomely proportioned, with his hair long 
and gracefully curling on his cheeks, large dark eyes, full 
of sweetness, an aquihne nose, and an open and intelli- 
gent countenance. He w^as thus represented in an original 
picture, once in the possession of the Marsh family, but 
unfortunately lost by his great-grandson, Jeremy Marsh, 
together with other property, in a dangerous ford which it 
was necessary to pass in removing to a fresh place of resi- 
dence''. It is from a copy of this painting, still in the pos- 
session of Mrs. Digby, that the engraving is taken which is 
prefixed to Mr. Bonney's volume. I suspect, however, that, 
in this copy, a liberty has been taken in altering the dress of 
the original ; inasmuch as the face is younger than is con- 
sistent with the age at which he became qualified to wear 
the episcopal robes. And it is remarkable, that in no 
instance do any of the engravings made during his lifetime 
represent him in the chimara and rochet. Another portrait, 
whose claims to originality are, I believe, undoubted, was 
presented by Mrs. Wray, of Anne's Vale, near Rosstrevor, to 
All Souls' College, displaying the same features and style 
of countenance, but at a more advanced period of life, and 
marked with a cast of melancholy which it is not difficult 

* Note (MM). " Note (NN). '^ Bonnoy, 3IS. note. 



126 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

to account for from the domestic afflictions of his latter 
years. This is the likeness which is given with the present 
work, and I gladly take this opportunity of acknowledging 
my obligations to the admirable pencil of my friend, the 
Honourable Heneage Legge, who made a drawing of it for 
the use of the engraver. Of Joanna Taylor also, there is a 
portrait in the possession of Mrs. Wray, representing a fine 
woman with a pleasing oval countenance, and naked hands 
and arms of much beauty, — standing in an arbour, and sus- 
pending a branch of laurel over a bust of Charles the First, 
which is placed beside her. These, with the watch which 
Taylor received from his unfortunate sovereign, and which 
is still preserved by the Marsh family, are, so far as I have 
discovered, the only relics remaining of this great and good 
man, and the person most closely united to him by alliance 
and afTection^. 

Of Taylor's domestic habits and private character much 
is not known, but all which is known is amiable. " Love,'' 
as well as ** admiration/' is said to have " waited on him," 
in Oxford. In Wales, and amid the mutual irritation and 
violence of civil and religious hostility, we find him con- 
ciliating, when a prisoner, the favour of his keepers, at the 
same time that he preserved, undiminished, the confidence 
and esteem of his own party. Laud, in the height of his 
power and full-blown dignity ; Charles, in his deepest 
reverses ; Hatton, Vaughan, and Conway, amid the tumults 
of civil war; and Evelyn, in the tranquillity of his elegant 
retirement ; seem alike to have cherished his friendship, and 
coveted his society. The same genius which extorted the 
commendation of Jeanes, for the variety of its researdh and 
vigour of its argument, was also an object of interest and 
affection with the young, and rich, and beautiful Katharine 
Philips ; and few writers, who have expressed their opinions 
so strongly, and, sometimes, so unguardedly as he has done, 
have lived and died with so much praise and so little 
censure. Much of this felicity may be probably referred to 
an engaging appearance and a pleasing manner; but its 
cause must be sought, in a still greater degree, in the evident 
kindliness of heart, which, if the uniform tenour of a man's 

y Note (OO). 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAVLOK, D.D. 127 

writings is any index to his character, must have distin- 
guished him from most men living : in a temper, to all 
appearance warm, but easily conciliated ; and in that which, 
as it is one of the least common, is of all dispositions the 
most attractive, not merely a neglect, but a total forgetful- 
ness of all selfish feeling. It is this, indeed, which seems to 
have constituted the most striking feature of his character. 
Other men hav^ been, to judge from their writings and their 
lives, to all appearance, as religious, as regular in their 
devotions, as diligent in the performance of all v/hich the 
laws of God or man require from us ; but with Taylor, his 
duty seems to have been a delight, his piety a passion. His 
faith was the more vivid in proportion as his fancy was more 
intensely vigorous ; with him the objects of his hope and 
reverence were scarcely unseen or future ; his imagination 
daily conducted him to " diet with gods," and elevated him 
to the same height above the world, and the same nearness 
to ineffable things, which Milton ascribes to his allegorical 
" cherub Contemplation." 

With a mind less accurately disciplined in the trammels 
and harness of the schools — less deeply imbued with ancient 
learning — less uniformly accustomed to compare his notions 
with the dictates of elder saints and sages, and submit his 
novelties to the authority and censure of his superiors — such 
ardour of fancy might have led him into dangerous errors ; 
or have estranged him too far from the active duties, the 
practical wisdom of life, and its dull and painful realities : 
and, on the other hand, his logic and learning — his veneration 
for antiquity and precedent — and his monastic notions of 
obedience in matters of faith as well as doctrine — might have 
fettered the enero-ies of a less ardent mind, and weisfhed him 
down into an intolerant opposer of all unaccustomed truths, 
and, in his own practice, a superstitious formalist. Happily, 
however, for himself and the world, Taylor was neither an 
enthusiast nor a bigot : and, if there are some few of his 
doctrines from which our assent is withheld by the decisions 
of the church and the language of Scripture, — even these 
(while in themselves they are almost altogether speculative, 
and such as could exercise no injurious influence on the es- 
sentials of faith or the obligations to holiness,) maybe said to 
have a leaning to the side of piety, and to have their founda- 



128 LIFE OF JEREI\rV TAYLOR, D.T>. 

tion in a love for the Deity, and a desire to vindicate his 
goodness, no less than to excite mankind to aspire after 
greater degrees of perfection. 

His munificent charity was in part shown by his under- 
taking, at his own expense, the rebuilding of his cathedral. 
It is also warmly praised by Rust, who tells us that, when 
the great preferments which he enjoyed were compared with 
the small portions which he left to his daughters, charity 
would be proved to have been the principal steward of his 
revenues. Yet, his daughters married wealthy husbands, 
and his widow seems to have been well provided for. During 
the latter part of his life he was engaged in a law-suit, 
together with his friend lord Conway, against colonel Moses 
Hill, one of Cromwell's officers, which might have eventu- 
ally greatly lessened his means ; but it seems, from the 
journals of the Irish House of Lords, to have been abandoned 
by his op«j)Onent. His ecclesiastical revenues, therefore, were 
certainly great ; and the estate of Mandinam, which his wife 
retained for her life, was, of itself, sufficient to keep her 
above poverty^. 

In conformity with the same simple and disinterested 
character which I have ascribed to him, we find him at one 
time contributing his endeavours to frame a grammar for 
children, at another composing prayers and hymns for the 
young and uninstructed. '"If," were his words on one 
occasion, " you do not choose to fill your boy's head with 
something, believe me the devil will ^ ! " The same temper 
seems to have made him affiible and facetious with his 
inferiors in rank and knowledge. ** It was pleasant," says 
his secretary Alcock, " to hear my lord talk with these poor 
people, the friends of Haddock, on the subject of their 
relation's spectre ^." On the whole, we have abundant reason 
for regret, that so little can now be recovered of the private 
life and daily conversation of one who was so accomplished 
and so much beloved, that we cannot believe him to have been 
otherwise than most amiable. The " family book," and the 
papers and letters preserved by his descendants, might have 
told us much. But these have, to all appearances, perished; 
and the admirers of Jeremy Taylor must be content to form 

'^ Note (PP). * Seward's Anecdotes, vol. ii. p. 45. 

^ Glanville, p. 250. 



LIVE OF .IKRK.MV TAVJ.Oi:, D.D. 129 

their opinion of him ahnost exclusively from a knowledge of 
his writinos. 



Of those writings some further account is yet to be given; 
in which it may be convenient to consider them in the same 
order which has been adopted in the present edition, and a& 
arranging themselves naturally, according to the subjects on 
which they treat, into the different descriptions of Practical, 
Theological, Casuistic, and Devotional. To the first of these 
classes may be referred, " The Life of Christ ;" the " Con- 
templations on the State of Man ; " the " Holy Living and 
Holy Dying ; " the " Sermons," and the posthumous work on 
'' Christian Consolation," which will be found in this volume. 
The second will comprise the series beginning with his 
" Episcopacy Asserted," and ending with his " Dissuasive 
from Popery." Under the third head may be classed the 
" Discourse on Friendship," and " Ductor Dubitantium ; " 
while the last contains all which instrumentally or directly 
refer to devotional exercises ; his " Divine Institution of the 
Office Ministerial;" his " Rules and Advices for the Clergy;" 
his " Golden Grove," and the other tracts which wdll be found 
in the last volume. It is true that, in the best and hiorhest 
sense of the term, all Taylor's w^orks are theological ; most of 
them are distinguished by an acute and discriminating appli- 
cation of general principles to particular cases and persons ; 
and there is none where he does not occasionally escape 
from the thorns and thistles of controversial questions, to 
those practical lessons of holiness, and those aspirations of 
heaven-directed feeling, which are the pervading and pecu- 
liar characteristics of his genius. Still, however, there are 
some of his works less practical and less devotional than 
others ; and, of those which professedly belong to these 
classes, there are some where the attention is chiefly drawn 
to the duties of the closet or the temple, and others where 
he expatiates through a wider range of holiness, and 
discusses with the same fervour, but with more diffuseness, . 
the obligations, the duties, the charities, and the faith of 
Christians. 

Such is the Life of Christ, or *' Great Exemplar," — a 
work undertaken, as he himself tells us in his Dedication to 
lord Hatton, with an intention of withdrawing the thoughts 

K 



130 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

of men from controverted and less important doctrines, to 
the great and necessary rallying points of Christianity, and 
those duties and charities on which all men are agreed, but 
which all men forget so easily. 

" In pursuance,'^ he says, "of this consideration, I have 
chosen to serve the purposes of religion, by doing assistance 
to that part of theology which is wholly practical, that 
which makes us wiser, therefore, because it makes us better. 
And truly, my lord, it is enough to weary the spirit of a 
disputer, that he shall argue till he hath lost his voice, and 
his time, and sometimes the question too ; and yet no man 
shall be of his mind more than was before. How few turn 
Lutherans, or Calvinists, or Roman Catholics, from the 
religion either of their country or interest ! Possibly two 
or three weak or interested, fantastic and easy, prejudicate 
and effeminate understandings, pass from church to church, 
upon grounds as weak as those from which formerly they 
did dissent; and the same arguments are good or bad, as 
exterior accidents or interior appetites shall determine. I 
deny not but, for great causes, some opinions are to be 
quitted : but when I consider how few do forsake any, and, 
when any do, oftentimes they choose the wrong side, and 
they that take the righter do it so by contingency, and the 
advantage also is so little, I believe that the triumphant 
persons have but small reason to please themselves in gaining 
proselytes, since their purchase is so small, and as incon- 
siderable to their triumph as it is unprofitable to them, who 
change for the worse or the better upon unworthy motives. 
In all this there is nothing certain, nothing noble. But he 
that follows the work of God, that is, labours to gain souls, 
not to a sect and a subdivision, but to the Christian religion, 
that is, to the faith and obedience of the Lord Jesus, hath a 
promise to be assisted and rewarded, — and all those that 
go to heaven are the purchase of such undertakings, the fruit 
of such culture and labours ; for it is only a holy life that 
lands us there. 

" And now, my lord, I have told you my reasons, I shall 
not be ashamed to say, that I am weary and toiled with 
rowing up and down in the seas of questions, which the 
interests of Christendom have commenced, and, in many 
propositions of which I am heartily persuaded, I am not 



LIFE OF JEREMY T VYI.OR, D.D. 131 

certain that I am not deceived ; and I find that men are most 
confident of those articles wJiich they can so little prove 
that they never made questions of them. But I am most 
certain that, by living in the religion and fear of God, in 
obedience to the king', in the charities and duties of com- 
munion with my spiritual guides, in justice and love with 
all the world in their several proportions, I shall not fail of 
that end which is perfection of human nature, and which will 
never be obtained by disputing ""." 

The work thus introduced and inscribed, is, as it pro- 
fesses to be, of a nature entirely practical. It discusses no 
doctrines but those on which almost all Christians are 
agreed, and which necessarily are suggested by the prin- 
cipal events of our Saviour's history. It enters into no 
critical examination of facts or dates, of evidences or various 
readings. The author does not exercise his learning and 
discrimination, in explaining those peculiarities of ancient 
or local history and manners which, as they are little less 
than absolutely necessary to a competent understanding of 
writers like those of the New Testament, so no author of 
the present day would omit them in a history of our Saviour. 
He does not even distinguish between those facts which are 
recorded by the inspired historians themselves, and those 
which repose on uncertain tradition, or on the mere pre- 
sumptions of the ancient fathers; but relates, with almost 
the same apparent faith, the salutation of the angel to the 
Virgin Mary ; the Syriac prayer attributed to Christ at his 
baptism by St. Philoxenes ; and the prostration of tlie Egyp- 
tian idols, when the infant Jesus came into their country. 

Nor does he attempt, in any instance, to reconcile the 
diiTerent narrations of the evangelists with each other, or 
to. produce a regular and chronological harmony of the 
Gospel. His work is nothing else than a series of devout 
meditations on the different events recorded in the New 
Testament, as well as on the more remarkable traditions 
which have been usually circulated respecting the Divine 
Author of our religion, his earthly parent, and his followers. 
This is a plan far less extensive, less curious, and perhaps 
less rational, than would now be contemplated by an cmi- 

^ DedicHtioii to Ilattou, vol. ii. p. 13, of tliis edition. 



132 LIFE OF JEllE-An' TAYLOR, D.D. 

nent divine who should purpose to write a Life of Christ. 
But even a defective plan, in the hands of a mighty genius, 
may be clothed with beauties which mere learning and 
critical acumen could never bestow, and is susceptible of 
ornaments more rich and various than a more regular struc- 
ture could receive with propriety. It is even probable that, 
as a book of devotional instruction for every class and age, 
the Great Exemplar may hav^e gained an impressive and 
edifying interest, by the exclusion of every thing critical or 
antiquarian, and by the manner in which it calls our un- 
mingled attention to the narrative of the Gospel, heightened 
only by those picturesque and poetical accompaniments 
which, like the minute ornaments of an ancient cathedral, 
though, separately taken, some of them might seem out of 
place, yet communicate to the general building the effect of 
beauty the most luxuriant, the most impressive, the most 
solemn and sacred. 

Be this as it may, it must be confessed that this first 
popular work of Taylor's contains many splendid moral and 
devotional passages ; that the sermons which are introduced 
into it (for the disquisitions which occur all answer to this 
description, and might be delivered from the pulpit with so 
much effect, that it is hard to believe that this was not their 
first destination,) are conceived in the same spirit of devout 
and majestic eloquence which pervades his Ei//aurog ; and 
that, in the few instances where controversial discussion 
was unavoidable, no writer of the age has argued w4th more 
acuteness, with more extensive learning, or so warm and 
earnest a charity. 

Nor are these the only merits of the work which I am 
discussing. I am acquainted with no work of Taylor's 
(I might say with no work of any author) in which more 
of practical wisdom may be found, a greater knowledge of 
the human heart, and a more dexterous and touching appli- 
cation, not only of the solemn truths of Christianity, but of 
even the least important circumstances related in the life 
of our Saviour, to the development of sound principles of 
action, and to the correction and guidance of our daily con- 
duct. Thus, in his preface, not only the exact conformity 
of Christianity with right reason and natural instinct, — its 
fitness for the present wants, as well as the future prospects. 



J.IFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 133 

of man, — and the manner in which it confirms, extends, and 
ilhistrates tlie law of nature, — are hiid down with admirable 
good sense and knowledge of his subject ; but many curious 
and interesting principles of metaphysical and political 
wisdom will be found incidentally, and, as if ex nhundatftl, 
scattered through it, which show the grasp and vigour of 
the author's mind, and that, though his choice confined 
him to those topics w^hich are the immediate subjects of 
his profession, there were few, indeed, in the treatment of 
which he might not have excelled. At the same time, 
there is none of these incidental topics which is not made 
conducive to the enforcement of practical piety and personal 
holiness. No part of his work can be read without some 
fruit of this kind ; but, in the application of general prin- 
ciples to particular but important instances of thought and 
action, the *' Exhortation to the Imitation of the Life of 
Christ," — the sermon on the " Duty of Nursing Children," 
— that on ** Obedience," — on " Mortification," — on " Bap- 
tizing Infants," — on " the Religion of Holy Places," — on 
" Scandal," — and on '' the Divine Judgments," are perhaps 
the most remarkable. 

In some instances, but in a very few, he is not to be 
followed without caution. He had already imbibed those 
opinions, the fuller exposition of which afterwards gave so 
much concern to some of the most distinguished members 
of the English church, on the subjects of original sin, and 
the consequences of Adam's transgression. Something of 
this sort may be traced in his apparently imperfect view of 
the causes of human corruption, when he tells us that " the 
law of nature, being decreed and made obligatory, was a 
sufficient instrument of making man happy, that is, in pro- 
ducing the end of his creation. But, as Adam had evil 
discourses and irregular appetites, before he fell, (for they 
made him fall,) — and as the angels, who had no original 
sin, yet they chose evil at the first, when it was wholly 
arbitrary in them to do so or otherwise ; so did man. ' God 
made man upright, but he sought out many inventions.' 
Some men," he continues, " were ambitious, and, by incom- 
petent means, would make their brethren to be their servants ; 
some were covetous, and would usurp that wliich, by an earlier 
distinction, had passed into private possession : and then they 



134 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYEOR, D.D. 

made new principles, and new discourses, such which were 
reasonable to their private indirect ends, but not to the 
public benefit, and, therefore, would prove unreasonable and 
mischievous to themselves at last'^" 

That Adam must have had a capability of sinning before 
he actually sinned, is demonstrably, if not evidently true : 
and it must, in the same way, be conceded, — if this capa- 
bility of offending were all which were meant by original 
sin^ — that the angels also who sinned, must, in their degree, 
have had it as well as Adam. But it is neither consonant 
with reason nor with Scripture to assert, that all the evil 
which we hud in the world, and in ourselves, either was in 
Adam before the fall, or has been since accumulated by the 
free, though unhappy choice of his different descendants, 
gradually as they may have made the world worse, and 
added the contagion of example and precedent to the in- 
herited and universal propensity to wickedness. 

The existence of such a propensity in man, and the 
necessity of grace to give us the victory over it, Taylor has, 
in very many passages of his works, and in many of this 
work itself of which we are speaking, acknowledged with 
much clearness and humility. And it is strange that he 
did not perceive, that as Adam, at his creation, was certainly 
in a state of grace, — and as his descendants, at their re- 
spective births, are, as confessedly, in a state of corruption, 
— some change must have taken place in the nature, as well 
as the situation of mankind ; and that, though neither Adam 
nor the angels were, in the first instance, impeccable, it may 
well be, that, in consequence of his fall, we are by nature 
more inclined to sin than either he or they were. 

The question will be discussed more at length in another 
place. I will here only observe, that in one who, like Taylor, 
confessed his own corruption, whencesoever derived, and 
placed his whole hope of pardon in Christ's blood, and of 
sanctification in Christ's Spirit, the error was divested of its 
malignity so far as it respected himself, though an error it 
certainly was, and, in certain ways of applying the principle, 
a dangerous one. It is curious to see how extremes meet. 
Tavlor seems to have been, in a great measure, led into his 

•* Preface, vol. ii. p. xxxii 



L 1 1- K V J K R j: m \ 'J' a ^■ f . o u , J ) . 1 ) . 1 35 

mistake by a horror of Calvinism, and an anxiety to avoid 
ascribing to God the apparent injustice of cursing all the 
world for the sins of one man. Yet he falls into the highest 
supralapsarian Calvinism, by merely throwing a little farther 
back the origin of man's misery, and representing him as 
coming immediately from the hand of his Maker with the 
same load of invincible corruption (invincible, unless by 
superadded grace,) which his descendants, in their present 
state, carry about with them. 

Surely there is little difference whether we say, with the 
ultra Calvinists, that God created man in order that he might 
fall, — or, that he so created him that he could not help 
falling. But, if Adam were framed not only with a capacity 
of sinnino- but also of remainino- without sin, he was then, 
certainly, in a state which his descendants do not experience ; 
and there is no event in the history of the world to which 
the loss of this state can be assigned, except the fall of 
Adam and its consequences. 

Nor is the justice of God impugned by the supposition 
that privileges which Adam had abused or neglected were 
not continued to his descendants, or that the race of men 
were, thenceforward, put under a new regimen of weakness 
and of repentance ; — the weakness receiving sufficient but 
inferior spiritual aids, the repentance rewarded with a bless- 
ing beyond the utmost which Adam could have hoped for. 
This is the light in which the question has been viewed by 
the English church, and this, it might be thought, was one 
which, while it sufficiently establishes the dependence of 
man on his Maker, sufficiently vindicates the Creator from 
being the cause of evil, and from desiring that any of his 
children should perish. 

Another instance in which Taylor has passed from a 
common and dangerous extreme to an opposite equally 
erroneous, is the case of death-bed repentance, which here, 
as in a succeeding work, he clogs with so many dangers 
and limitations as to render it but very little less than 
impossible. It has been, indeed, at all times, a vulgar and 
perilous self-flattery, to apprehend not only that repentance 
would, after a life of sin, be, at any time when we willed it, 
within our power ; but that a few expiring lamentations, 
extorted by the fear of approaching torment, were to expiate 



13() J.JFK OF JKRK.MV 'J'AYJ.OR, D.D. 

for many years of obstinate transgression, and supply, in the 
heart of him who is passing to his account, that love, that 
purity, and those other Christian graces, without which even 
heaven itself would be a place of misery. It is even probable 
that the author may have been disgusted in those days, as 
he would have been in these of almost equal enthusiasm, 
with the spectacle of criminals advancing triumphantly to 
their scaffold, and looking forward to a death, which they 
had brought on themselves by their crimes, with the same 
exultation as a martyr might embrace his stake ; the same 
expressed and boasted assurance of bliss, as if the fiery chariot 
of the prophet were visibly waiting to receive them. Of the 
harm which may be done to the dying by such indiscriminate 
comfort • — of the harm which the living will, in all probability, 
receive from such exaggerated statements — I am fully and 
mournfully sensible. But to calculate, as Taylor does, the 
time w^hich is required for the acquisition of graces, which 
God may, if he pleases, at once communicate ; — to require 
the expression of outward and long-continued actions, as in 
all instances equally necessary to confirm the inward feeling 
in His eyes by whom that feeling itself may be inspired ; — 
is to make the narrow gate of salvation narrower than God 
has made it, and, in our anxiety for the holiness of men in 
health, to seal up in despair the sick soul that might other- 
wise have burst its bondage. There may, it should be 
recollected, even on a death-bed, and in a very short space 
of time, be the opportunity of rendering God acceptable 
service, and bringing forth, though amid darkness and 
terror, the fruits of repentance. We may have time for 
prayer ; we may have time for confession ; for forgiveness 
of our enemies ; for patience ; for resignation : perhaps for 
restitution. We may have time for some of these, for the 
rest we may have a desire ; — and for all of these, we know, 
in one illustrious instance, the penitent thief had not time or 
opportunity. The danger which there always must be, that in 
sickness we should neither have opportunity nor spiritual power 
to turn to God — the chance that our heads may be light, or 
our hearts hardened, when the day of sorrow comes on us — 
are terrors sufficiently great to lead every man who is not 
insensible of danger, to employ, to the best of his power, 
the day of salvation while it shines ; as well knowing that. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 137 

whether others are called effectually in the eleventh hour or 
not, the time at which he is last called must be the eleventh 
hour to him. Still, however, the manner in which Taylor 
has painted the dangers of a sinner's death-bed displays no 
ordinary pencil ; and the colours (dismal as they are, and, in 
some instances, overcharged,) are marked, on the whole, 
with so much truth, that I could wish some of his frightful 
legends published in a popular form, as an antidote to 
those edifying deaths which are now in almost daily cir- 
culation^. 

These are the only particulars of importance which occur 
to me, in which this great and good man has, in the work 
now before us, departed from the usual sense of the church 
and the general analogy of Scripture. There are other, but, 
in comparison, very trifling points, on which he has pro- 
nounced with too much haste or positiveness. In his Dis- 
course on Repentance^, he takes it for granted that the 
angels who sinned had never any room for repentance, — 
that " their first act of volition was their whole capacity 
of a blissful or a miserable eternity : they made their own 
sentence when they made their first election." This he had 
learned from the schoolmen, who, apprehending that the 
production of the angels must have taken place on the same 
day with the creation of the heavenly bodies, were perplexed 
how else to find sufficient time for the apostacy of Satan, 
between the commencement of his being and his successful 
temptation of the woman " ; and thought the opinion, " pro- 
babiliorem et sanctiorem, quod statim post primum instans 
suae creationis, diabolus peccaverit." But Taylor has, in 
this instance, expressed himself with more positiveness than 
Aquinas ; and we surely know too little of the angelic 
nature and history, to assume any facts concerning either 
which are not clearly revealed in Scripture. That there are 
angels, and that some of them have not kept their first 
estate, we know, for it has been made known to us. But 
wherein their fault consisted, or how long they had pre- 
viously remained in glory and innocency, as God has not 

^ " On Repentance," vol. ii. ]>]). 42(), 438. " On Denth," vol. iii. pp. 349, 
351, 35G, &c. 

f Vol. ii. p. 392. 

B Thorn. Aquinat. Summa. Inia Pars. Qiia-st. Ixiii, art. (», p. 118. 



138 LIKK OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

told us, it is useless to guess, and worse than useless to 
ground an argument on our conjectures. 

In another opinion, which he elsewhere, in different pas- 
sages of his works, repeats, he has fallen into the same 
mistake with Warburton. He tells us, that Balaam, when 
he prayed to die the death of the righteous, had only respect 
to length of days and tranquillity of mind, the promise of a 
life after death being hidden from the age in which he 
lived''. Without entering into such a discussion, it is enough 
to say, that Michaelis has shown that the writings of Moses 
contain abundant proofs that the immortality of the soul was 
familiarly known to his contemporaries \ 

There is some grave trifling in vol. ii. p. 72, about 
the letters of Jehovah's name, which he had from the 
Cabbalists. If he designed it as a poetical ornament, it 
savours of the taste of the time : if as an argument or 
illustration, it rests on too weak authority to be good for 
any thing. In all his works, he is fond of alluding to 
historical incidents, often with an admirable oratorical 
effect, though the stories alleged may be no more than idle 
legends. Here, however, he has twice quoted, as from 
Scripture, though without naming the place, a story of 
23,000 Assyrians destroyed in one night for fornication, 
which, I confess, I never met with in Scripture or else- 
where "". But these are trifling blemishes in a work of so 
great length, of so distinguished beauty, usefulness, and 
learning, in which he has nobly fulfilled the purpose ex- 
pressed in his preface, '* To advance the necessity, and 
to declare the manner and parts of a good life. I have 
followed (he continues) the design of Scripture, and have 
given milk for babes, and for stronger men stronger meat ; 
and in all I have despised my own reputation, by so striving 
to make it useful, that I was less careful to make it strict in 
retired senses, and embossed with unnecessary but graceful 
ornaments. I pray God, this may go forth into a blessing 
to all that shall use it, and reflect blessings upon me all the 
way, that my spark may grow greater by kindhng my 
brother's taper, and God may be glorified in us both. If 

^ Vol. iii. p. 151. 

' IMichaelis, Argumenta Immortalitatis Animarum ex Mcse collecta. 

k Vol. ii. p. 34. — vol. iii. p. 233. 



LIFE OF JERK.MV TAVLOR, D.D. 139 

tlie reader shall receive no benefit, yet I intended him one, 
and I have laboured in order to it ; and I shall receive a 
great recompense for that intention, if he shall please to say 
this prayer for me, — ' That while I have preached to others, 
I may not become a castaway' !' " 

In the " Literary Life of the Reverend John Serjeant, 
written by himself," inserted in the Roman Catholic 
Miscellany, entitled the *' Catholicon," vol. iii. the '* Great 
Exemplar" is said to be a mere translation of the Life of 
Christ by Ludolphus de Saxonia'". The assertion, however, 
is entirely groundless ; so much so, that, except in the 
circumstance that both authors intermix prayers and moral 
reflections with their narrative, it is scarcely possible to find 
two books written on any one subject which have so few 
coincidences of arrangement, sentiment, or expression. The 
merits of the works of Ludolphus, which, as a pious, useful, 
and practical treatise, I am very far from undervaluing, are 
of a nature entirely different from those of the Great 
Exemplar. Ludolphus, (as was necessary in an author who 
wrote for those by w^hom the Scriptures themselves were 
little known or studied,) gives a long and minute detail of 
almost every word and action of our Lord; — appending to 
each a string of moral and religious observations, extracted, 
chiefly verbatim, from the Fathers. Taylor passes rapidly 
over the greater part of this detail ; but expands, from time 
to time, into long and eloquent discourses on the more 
remarkable actions and doctrines of our Lord, to which his 
rival offers nothing correspondent. The style of the one is 
usually plain and simple, though his prayers are, many of 
them, conceived in a pleasing and fervent strain of piety. 
That of the other luxuriates in a richness of imagery and 
a grandiloquence of expression, which breathe, in every 
sentence, the vital and essential spirit of poetry. The 
reading of Taylor was so excursive that it is, indeed, most 
probable that he was not unacquainted with the work of 
Ludolphus, and it is possible that, from it, the outline and 
first conception of his own book may have been taken. But 

' Vol. ii. p. 58. 
■" " ^'ita Jesus Christi Redemptoris Nostri, ex JMedullis Evangelicis, et 
approbatis ab Ecclesia Doctoribus, sedule per Liidolphnm de Saxonia, Ordiiiis 
Carthusiensis collecta." — 1500. 



140 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

more than this a comparison of the two Lives forbids us to 
allow, and for even this, so far as I am aware, there is no 
internal evidence whatever in the work of Taylor. 

I have already suggested the probability which there is 
that the extensive popularity of the Great Exemplar pro- 
duced the ** Holy Living" and the '* Holy Dying," works 
which were, in like manner, devoted to the promotion of 
practical holiness, and which, with the exception of some 
sermons, were the next in succession of his published 
labours. 

Both are dedicated to the earl of Carbery, the first in 
a splendid description of the miseries of the time, and the 
duty of a good man under those miseries. This dedication 
concludes with five rules for the application of the counsels 
which follow, so simple, so just, and displaying so accurate 
a knowledge of the dispositions and dangers of mankind, 
that they cannot be too firmly imprinted in the memory of a 
Christian. 

'' 1. They that will, with profit, make use of the proper 
instruments of virtue, must so live as if they were always 
under the physician's hand. For the counsels of religion 
are not to be applied to the distempers of the soul, as men 
used to take hellebore ; but they must dwell together with 
the spirit of a man, and be twisted about his understanding 
for ever : they must be used like nourishment, that is, by 
a daily care and meditation, not like a single medicine, 
and upon the actual pressure of a present necessity. For 
counsels and wise discourses, applied to an actual distemper, 
at the best are but like strong smells to an epileptic person ; 
sometimes they may raise him up, but they never cure him. 
The following rules, if they be made familiar to our natures, 
and the thoughts of every day, may make virtue and religion 
become easy and habitual ; but, when the temptation is 
present, and hath already seized upon some portion of our 
consent, we are not so apt to be counselled ; and we find no 
gust or relish in the precept ; the lessons are the same, but 
the instrument is unstrung or out of tune. 

*' 2. In using the instruments of virtue, we must be 
curious to distinguish instruments from duties, and prudent 
advices from necessary injunctions : and if by any other 
means the duty can be secured, let there be no scruples 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAVLOR, D.D. 141 

stirred concerning any other helps : only, if they can, in that 
case, strengthen and secure the duty or help towards per- 
severance, let them serve in that station in which they can 
be placed. For there are some persons, in whom the Spirit 
of God hath breathed so bright a flame of love, that they 
do all their acts of virtue by perfect choice and without 
objection ; and their zeal is warmer than that it will be 
allayed by temptation : and to such persons mortification 
by philosophical instruments, as fasting, sackcloth, and 
other rudenesses to the body, is wholly useless : it is always 
a more uncertain means to acquire any virtue or secure any 
duty ; and if love hath filled all the corners of our soul, he 
alone is able to all the work of God. 

" 3. Be not nice in stating the obligations of religion ; 
but, where the duty is necessary and the means very reason- 
able in itself, dispute not too busily whether, in all circum- 
stances, it can fit thy particular ; but, * super totam materiam,' 
upon the whole, make use of it. For it is a good sign of a 
great religion, and no imprudence, when we have sufficiently 
considered the substance of affairs, then to be easy, humble, 
obedient, apt and credulous in the circumstances, which are 
appointed to us, in particular, by our spiritual guides, or, in 
general, by all wise men in cases not unlike. He that 
gives alms, does best not always to consider the minutes 
and strict measures of his ability, but to give freely, 
incuriously, and abundantly. A man must not weigh grains 
in the accounts of his repentance ; but for a great sin have 
a great sorrow and a great severity, and in this take the 
ordinary advices, though, it may be, a less rigour might 
not be insufficient. A>tor^odr/.aiov, or arithmetical measures, 
especially of our own proportioning, are but arguments of 
want of love and of frowardness in religion : or else are 
instruments of scruple, and then become dangerous. Use 
the rule heartily and enough, and there v>'ill be no harm in 
the error, if any should happen. 

" 4. If thou intendest heartily to serve God, and avoid 
sin in any one instance, refuse not the hardest and most 
severe advice that is prescribed in order to it, though pos- 
sibly it be a stranger to thee ; for, whatsoever it be, custom 
will make it easy. 

" 5. When many instruments for the obtaining any 



142 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

virtue or restraining any vice are propounded, observe which 
of them best fits thy person or the circumstances of thy 
need, and use it rather than the other ; that by this means 
thou mayest be engaged to watch, and use spiritual arts and 
observation about thy soul. Concerning the managing of 
which, as the interest is greater, so the necessities are more, 
and the cases more intricate, and the accidents and dangers 
greater and more importunate, and there is greater skill 
required, than in the securing an estate, or restoring health 
to an infirm body. I wish all men in the world did heartily 
believe so much of this as is true : it would veiy much help 
to do the work of God "." 

The Holy Living is divided into four chapters, in the 
first of which he discusses the instrumental means of holi- 
ness, such as — care of our time, purity of intention, and a 
sense of the Divine presence ; and gives rules for producing 
and preserving all these habits in our hearts and behaviour, 
of which those for the improvement of time are perhaps the 
most useful and practical. 

The second chapter treats of Christian sobriety, which 
he divides into the five heads of Temperance, Chastity, 
Humility, Modesty, and Contentment, — and defines in 
general to be " an using severity, denial and frustration of 
our appetite, when it grows unreasonable in any of these 
instances^." He introduces the discussion of these different 
topics with some observations on voluptuousness according 
to this general definition, and with rules for subduing our 
natural tendency towards it, which will well reward the 
reader, and which, for the general reader, are perhaps better 
adapted than the remedies which follow for specific and 
grosser vices. In all cases, his rules for avoiding sin, when 
not too scrupulous and ascetic for practice, and therefore less 
likely to dc good than if they were less efiicacious but more 
attainable means of holiness, are better than the arguments 
which he uses against each sin in order. But of all his rules, 
the ** Acts and Offices of Humility" are, perhaps, the most 
impressive, — the most effectual, — the most sensible and 
rational, — the most applicable to the temptations and neces- 
sities of every man. 

" Vol. iii. pp. 7, 8, 0. " Page oG. 



LIFK OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 143 

The third chapter is devoted to the discussion of Christian 
justice, defined as either commutative or distributive, and 
divided into the several heads of, 1. ** Obedience," as due 
from inferiors to superiors ; — 2. " Provision," or Protecting' 
Care, from Sovereigns, Judges, Parents, Masters, Guardians ; 
— 3. Negociation or Contracts; — 4. Restitution, which 
he defnies, as " that part of justice to which a man is 
obliged by a precedent contract or a foregoing fault, by his 
own act or another man's, either with or without his will p." 
His rules in this part of his work are admirable. They are 
casuistry in its highest and noblest sense, in which nothing 
is overstrained, nothing extenuated, and (so far as general 
principles and the compass of a short chapter can reach) 
nothing unprovided for ; inasmuch as, even where neither 
the obligations of default nor contract can extend, he has 
specified the no less strong and yet holier obligation of 
gratitude. 

The fourth chapter treats of the Duties of Religion, 
under the heads of its internal and external actions. The 
former are. Faith, Hope, and Love ; to his account of which 
is added an admirable digression on Zeal. 

** The sum is this : that zeal is not a direct duty, no where 
commanded for itself, and is nothing but a forwardness in 
the circumstances of another duty, and therefore is then only 
acceptable, when it advances the love of God and our neigh- 
bours. That zeal is only safe, only acceptable, which 
increases charity directly : and because love to our neigh- 
bour and obedience to God are the two great portions of 
charity, we must never account our zeal to be good but as 
it advances both these, if it be in a matter that relates to 
both, or severally, if it relates severally. St. Paul's zeal was 
expressed in preaching without any offerings or stipend, in 
travelling, in spending and being spent for his flock, in 
suffering, in being willing to be accursed, for love of the 
people of God and his countrymen. Let our zeal be as 
great as his was, so it be in affections to others, but not at 
all in angers against them. In the first there is no danger, 
in the second there is no safety. In brief, let your zeal. 



144 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

(if it must be expressed in anger) be always more severe 
against yourself than your neighbours^." 

The external actions of religion Taylor defines to be, 
" 1. Reading and hearing the word of God ; — 2. Fasting and 
corporeal austerities; — 3. Feasting, or keeping days of 
public joy and thanksgiving." On all these his observations 
are distinguished by sound good sense and earnest piety. 
Even on fasting, — a duty now so much neglected, and to 
disquisitions on which so few will turn with any other feeling 
than curiosity, — the reasonableness of his rules will strike 
many who, from carelessness or the habits of the age, are 
negligent of, or averse to, a practice sanctioned by the 
constitution of our nature ; the experience of ages ; the 
injunction of all Christian churches ; the example of all the 
good men of former times, of the apostles, and of the son of 
God^ 

He grounds the sanctity of the Lord's day, not on 
a divine commandment, as was the case with the Jewish 
sabbath, (for this commandment he conceives to have had 
respect to that day and that nation only,) but on the great 
duty for which the fourth commandment provides, of con- 
fessino; on all occasions God to be the Maker of heaven and 
earth, and on the institution of the apostles that the first 
day in the week should be set apart for doing this in solemn 
assemblies. The same opinion he afterwards expressed 
more at large in his Ductor Dubitantium ^ It seems to have 
been also the opinion of Laud, of Luther, of Calvin, of 
Spencer, and of almost all the early fathers, who agree in 
representing the fourth commandment as of temporary 
obligation only, and as merely applying to Christians in a 
spiritual sense ; as inculcating a devotion of ourselves to 
God's service on all proper opportunities, and that rest from 
worldly cares, of which, to the Jews, the sabbath was 
typical *. That the authority and example of the apostles, 

■1 Page 202. 

' See Ductor Dubitantium. On the interpretation and obligation of 
the Laws of Jesus Christ, vol. xiii. p. IL 

^ Of the Christian Law, vol. xii. p. 412. 

' Laud, Troubles and Trial, p. 345. Luther, Auslegung der X. Gebothen, 
Op. Lips. torn. iii. pp. 642-643. Calvin, Instit. lib. ii. c. viii. sect. 31, et seq. 
Op. Amstel. torn, ix. p. 99. Spencer de Leg. Hebraeor. lib. i. c. v. pp. 83, 94. 



LIFE OF JERE:MY TAYLOR, D.D. 145 

the uniform tradition of the church, the reasonableness of 
the practice abstractedly considered, tlie necessities of men, 
and the precedent of God's corresponding- ordinance under 
the old law, are sufficient reasons for keeping the Lord's 
day holy, the great men whom I have cited were far indeed 
from doubting. Whether their view of the subject be more 
correct than that which makes the fourth commandment, 
in its literal meaning, a part of ^he moral and universal law, 
this is not the place for examining. They who apprehend 
that the sanctity of Sunday will be endangered by a contrary 
opinion, may read what Taylor himself says on the subject. — 
" The Jews," he observes, " had a divine connnandment 
for their day, which we have not for ours; but we have 
many commandments to do all that honour to God which 
was intended in the fourth commandment ; and the apostles 
appointed the first day of the week for doing it in solemn 
assemblies". Upon the Lord's day, we must abstain from 
all servile and laborious works, except such which are 
matters of necessity, of common life, or of great charity; 
for these are permitted by that authority which hath 
separated the day for holy uses. The sabbath of the 
Jews, though consisting principally in rest, and established 
by God, did yield to these. And, therefore, this is to be 
enlarged in the Gospel, whose sabbath or rest is but a 
circumstance, and accessary to the principal and spiritual 
duties. Upon the Christian sabbath, necessity is to be 
served first ; then charity ; and then religion, for this is to 
give place to charity in great instances, and the second to 
the first in all : and in all cases, God is to be worshipped in 
spirit and in truth." 

His observations on prayer, and, incidentally, on vows; 
those on alms, together with the remedies which he sug- 
gests for the great causes of an unmerciful and unchari- 
table spirit, envy, anger, and covetousness ; his canons of 
repentance, and his directions for receiving the sacrament, 
are all equally devout, eloquent, and sensible. But I will 
not select, where all may be read with advantage, and can 
hardly be read without admiration. To clothe virtue in its 
most picturesque and attractive colouring, to enforce with 

" Holy Living-, vol. iv. pj). 214, 215. 
L 



146 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

all the terrors of the divine law, its essential obligations ; and 
to distinguish, in almost every instance most successfully, 
between what is prudent and what is necessary ; what may 
fitly be done, and what cannot be safely left undone, — this 
is the triumph of a Christian moralist ; and this Jeremy 
Taylor has, in a great degree, achieved in his discourse on 
Holy Living. 

Each chapter is folio v/ed by a series of prayers^ adapted 
to those temptations or duties which have been discussed 
in it. Of these prayers, the merit is in a great measure 
proved by their popularity ; a popularity, perhaps, little less 
than that v/hich our beautiful Liturgy itself has obtained 
among Christians. Almost all of them contain passages of 
genuine poetry and eloquence, and all are pervaded by a 
tenderness and pathos of earnest piety which must have 
proceeded from the feeling which they express, and which 
few persons ever read without finding it in some degree 
contagious. 

But I must confess that I like those prayers the best 
which have the fewest of Taylor's peculiar ornaments; of 
those rhetorical augments which are never so little in their 
place as when addressing the Most High; — that accumula- 
tion of circumstances, and those sentences, almost endless, 
which distract attention when it ought to be concentrated, 
and compel us to take breath in the midst of our most 
earnest aspirations. My meaning will be plain to those who 
compare his four collects, *' for subjects when their land is 
overrun by barbarous and wicked people," with the few and 
simple, yet majestic words of the prayer in our church service 
'' in time of war and troubles;" or his "Act of Contrition," 
preparatory to the sacrament, with the General Confession, 
which is appointed for that occasion^. 

But the want of taste is still greater, when, in a solemn 
address of .the penitent to his Redeemer, the sufferings of 
that Redeemer are enumerated at full length, and with cir- 
cumstances added which rest on no authentic history or 
probable tradition. When we entreat Christ to have mercy 
on us, by '" his agony and bloody sweat, by his cross and 
passion," — we both quicken our own devotional feelings by 

* Pages 7:5, :J00. 



LIFE OF JFRKiMY TAYLOR, D.D. 147 

the mention of what he lias done for us, and we plead with 
him, in behalf of our requests, considerations whicli we know 
to be prevaihng. But wdiere do we learn that the garden of 
Gethsemane was "set 7vifh nothhig hut briers and thorns;" 
that our Lord was '* dremhecV by his enemies in the brook 
Cedron ; that he was *' tormenled with a tablet, stuck ivith 
nails, at the fringes of his garment ;'' that his cross, " bei/ig set 
in a hollowness of the earth, did, in the fall, render his tvounds 
wider?" Surely such legends, borrowed from the " stations" 
of the Christians in the middle ages, and without any autho- 
rity of Scripture or antiquity, are altogether unfit to be 
spoken to Him who is not to be flattered by exaggerated 
representations of what he has himself done and suffered, 
and whose revealed and authentic sufferings and patience 
were too great and too glorious to need the improvements 
of human fancy ^, In all his Devotions, indeed, Taylor seems 
to have taken St Augustine as his model, rather than our 
own or the elder liturgies ; and both have erred in trans- 
ferring to prayer those ornaments which might, some of 
them, be not improper in a sermon. But who can wonder 
that it should be no easy task for man to find fit words to 
commune with the Almighty? What greater praise could 
Taylor have himself desired than that, in falling short of the 
excellencies of our Common Prayer, he has fallen short of 
that only ? 

The '' Holy Dying" is introduced by a Dedication, also 
to lord Carbeiy, in which the author, in a strain of touching 
eloquence, recommends his work to his patron as that which, 
in manuscript, had been seen and approved by the deceased 
object of his dearest affections. ** I am treating your lord- 
ship as a Roman gentleman did St. Augustine and his 
mother ; I shall entertain you in a charnel-house, and carry 

your meditations awhile into the chambers of death." 

*' My lord, it is your dear lady's anniversary, and she 
deserved the biggest honour, and the longest memory, and 
the fairest monument, and the most solemn mourning : and, 
in order to it, give me leave, my lord, to cover her hearse 
with these following sheets. This book was intended, first, 
to minister to her piety ; and she desired all good people 

-" Pages :iOi), 301. 



148 l.Il'E OF JERK.MV TAYLOR, D.D. 

should partake of the advantages which are here recorded. 
She knew how to Uve rarely well, and she desired to know 

how to die and God taught her by an experiment." *' My 

lord, both your lordship and myself, have lately seen and felt 
such sorrow of death, and such sad departure of dearest 
friends, that it is more than high time we should think our- 
selves nearly concerned in the accidents. Death has come 
so near to you, as to fetch a portion from your veiy heart ; 
and now you cannot choose but dig your own grave, and 
place your coffin in your eye, when the angel hath dressed 
your scene of sorrow and meditation with so particular and 
so near an object; and, therefore, as it is my duty, I am 
come to minister to your sorrows, that they may turn into 
virtues and advantages." 

The remainder of the Address is occupied in an exposition 
of the principles and motives of his undertaking, in which, as 
might be expected from his known opinions, he enlarges on 
the vanity or uncertainty of a late and sick-bed repentance ; 
the idle folly of the extreme unction of the Romish church, 
and the unauthorised, as he esteems it, and unprofitable, 
though extremely ancient practice of prayers for the departed 
spirit. In some of his assertions, more particularly on the 
first of these topics, he here, as elsewhere, is, perhaps, too 
strict and uncompromising. Yet the caution which he founds, 
in part, on these doctrines, is one which may well tingle in 
the ears of those that live carelessly, — and it is one of which 
the truth is shown by very many considerations of undoubted 
and awful certainty. '* My lord ; it is a great art to die 
well, and to be learned by men in health, by them that can 
discourse and consider; by those whose understanding and 
acts of reason are not abated with fear or pains : and, as the 
greatest pait of death is passed by the preceding years of 
our life, so also, in those years, are the greatest preparations 
to it; and he that prepares not for death before his last 
sickness, is like him that begins to study philosophy, when 

he is going to dispute publicly in the faculty." " And, 

therefore," — " it is intended, by the necessity of affairs, that 
the precepts of dying well be part of the studies of them that 
are in health, and the days of discourse and understanding, 
which, in this case, hath another degree of necessity super- 
added ; because, in other notices, an imperfect study may be 



LIVE OF JEREMY TAVLOK, D.D. 149 

supplied by a frequent exercise and renewed experience ; 
here, if we practise imperfectly once, we shall never recover 
the error\" 

The work itself is divided into seven chapters. The first 
consists of *' General Considerations preparatory to a Holy 
and blessed Death," — as of the vanity and shortness of 
man's life, a knowledge of which should induce us to make 
timely preparation for quitting it; — of the means and oppor- 
tunities which God has given us for this work, and which, if 
duly employed, will take off all objection that our lives are 
too short for our necessary preparation : and the miseries of 
man's life in this world, which should induce us to depart 
from it gladly. The second recommends " a general prepa- 
ration for a blessed death, by way of exercise ;" 1. by always 
looking for death; 2. by daily providing for it; and by 
3. *' a life, severe, holy, and under the discipline of the 
cross ; under the conduct of prudence and observation, a life 
of warfare and sober counsels, labour, and watchfulness." 
In applying these precepts to particulars, he recommends, 
1. a daily self-examination ; 2. a lifelong and constant charity. 
And, to encourage men to endure the burden and uneasiness 
of the first of these, he remarks, *' that we had better bear 
the burden of the Lord than the burden of a base and 
polluted conscience," — that '* religion cannot be so great a 
trouble as a guilty soul ; and whatsoever trouble may or can 
be fancied in this or any other action of religion, it is only to 
inexperienced persons." But, he proceeds. — ^** to examine 
our lives will be no trouble, if we do not intricate it with 
businesses of the world, and the labyrinths of care and 
impertinent affairs." — " He that covets many things greedily, 
and snatches at high things ambitiously, that despises his 
neighbour proudly, and bears his crosses peevishly, or his 
prosperity impotently and passionately ; he that is prodigal 
of his precious time, and is tenacious and retentive of evil 
purposes, is not a man disposed to this exercise : he hath 
reason to be afraid of his own memory, and to dash his glass 
in pieces, because it must needs represent to his eyes an 
intolerable deformity." — " In the interim they are impatient 
of being examined, as a leper is of a comb, and are greedy 

' Dedication, vol. iv. pp. cccxix. cccxx. 



150 LIIK Ol" JEREMY TAYLOR, 13. D. 

of the world, as children of raw fruit ; and they hate a severe 
reproof, as they do thorns in their bed ; and they love to lay 
aside religion, as a drunken person does to forget his sorrow ; 
and all the way they dream of fine things, and their dreams 
prove contrary, and become the hieroglyphics of an eternal 
sorrow." — *' To be cozened in making judgments concerning 
our final condition, is extremely easy ; but, if we be cozened, 
we are infinitely miserable''." 

His observations on charity, " with its twin daughters, 
alms and forgiveness," are abundantly beautiful and sensible ; 
and he winds up the second chapter with a description in 
the highest strain of poetry, (somewhat too poetical, perhaps, 
for a religious and practical treatise,) of the different deaths 
of the good and wicked man ; in which the natural terrors 
of the one, and the natural hopes of the other, are heightened 
and prolonged, beyond the veil of mortality, into the regions 
where (as some of those legends have told, with which the 
studies of Taylor were familiar,) the soul becomes the object 
of contest between angels and devils. The picture is magni- 
ficent ; but he himself seems sensible that such speculations 
may be pursued too far, when he winds it up with the fol- 
lowing caution. " Fearful, and formidable to unholy persons, 
is the first meeting with spirits in their separation. But the 
victory which holy souls receive by the mercies of Jesus 
Christ and the conduct of angels, is a joy that we must 
not understand till we feel it, and yet such which by an 
early and persevering piety we may secure : but let us 
inquire after it no further, because it is secret ^ ! " 

In the next chapter he prescribes remedies against impa- 
tience in sickness, and against an immoderate fear of death, 
and adds some general rules to make sickness safe and holy, 
more particularly by continuance in prayer, and by an infinite 
solicitude that we '* at no hand commit a deliberate sin, or 
retain any affection to the old." " They were sad de- 
partures when Tigellinus ; CorneHus Gallus, the praetor ; Lewis, 
the son of Gonzaga, duke of Mantua ; Ladislaus, king of 
Naples ; Speusippus ; Giachetius of Geneva, and one of the 
popes, died in the forbidden embraces of abused women ; or 
if Job had cursed God and so died : or when a man sits 

• Pages 379—381. ^ Page 388. 



MTK OF JERE.AIV TAYI^OU, D.D. 151 

down in despair, and in the accusation and calumny of the 
divine mercy; they make their night sad, and stormy, and 
eternal. When Herod began to sink with the shameful 
torment of his bowels, and felt the grave open under him, he 
imprisoned the nobles of his kingdom, and commanded his 
sister that they should be a sacrifice to his departing ghost ^. 
This was an egress fit only for such persons who meant to 
dwell with devils to eternal ages; and that man is hugely in 
love with sin, who cannot forbear, in the week of the assizes, 
and when himself stands at the bar of scrutiny, and prepared 
for his final, never to be reversed sentence. He dies sud- 
denly to the worse sense and event of sudden death, wdio so 
manages his sickness, that even that state shall not be 
innocent." 

The fourth chapter is occupied with rules for the practice 
of the graces proper to a state of sickness ; of patience, of 
faith, of repentance, of justice, and of charity. The last 
treats on the urgent necessity and best manner of visiting the 
sick by the ministers of religion ; and he concludes hiy 
subject with the duties of those who survive, as to the exe- 
cution of the will of their departed friends, and the modera- 
tion and decency of their funerals. 

On the whole it may be said, that the '' Holy Dying/' in 
point of composition, and in the display of the characteristic 
beauties of Taylor's style and language, exceeds the " Holy 
Living." The subject admitted of, and, indeed, invited him 
to, a o-reater indulofence in those touchins; and tender 
visions of affection, of natural images, and of supernatural 
aspirations, which were familiar to his mind, and were apt to 
intrude unbidden. As a practical work, its use may be, 
perhaps, less obvious and less extensive than its companion ; 
for a sick-bed it is too long, and, when men are in health, 
they read it, are delighted, and lay it down again. But, as a 
manual and directory for those whose office it is to converse 
with the sick and dying, its uses are manifold, and its im- 
portance only to be estimated by those who have themselves 
given some portion of their thoughts and their time to this 
most interesting, most charitable, and, when rightly managed, 
this most edifying and instructive duty of Christian morality. 

' Note (QQ). 



152 LIFE OF JEREMV TAYLOR, D.D. 

And it may often happen, perhaps it often has happened, 
that men, who have read it for its beauties, have been im- 
pressed by the lessons it conveys ; and, by beginning with 
the " Holy Dying" of Taylor, have been led to study his " Holy 
Living" with more advantage. It is remarkable that, though 
its general style is more than usually poetical, even for its 
author, the prayers subjoined to the different chapters are 
less so than those either in the " Holy Living," or the " Great 
Exemplar." Perhaps he had been told of that which was 
the main fault in his devotional writings. Perhaps the 
solemnity of the subject impressed him too deeply to allow 
his fancy to luxuriate as on former occasions. 

To the same class with the works now described, but to 
a very inferior standard of taste and eloquence, must be 
referred the ''Contemplations on the State of Man," and the 
treatise on " Christian Consolation." Both these were post- 
humous works ; both are ascribed to Taylor on unquestion- 
able authority; both have some passages conceived and 
expressed in his peculiar style, and the opinions delivered in 
both are so conformable to those of his acknowledged works, 
that there can be little doubt of his being the author. The 
former, however, is one which, in its present state, he v/ould 
hardly have sent out to the world. It is marked, indeed, 
throughout, with genuine and characteristic piety. It dis- 
plays, — even more ostentatiously than Taylor was accustomed 
to do, — a strange and almost boundless familiarity with all 
kinds of reading, from the fathers and the schoolmen down 
to the voyages of the Buccaneers. Its author is evidently 
one before whom the page of ancient and modern history 
lay open ; and whose mind was imbued with a recollection 
of the greatest poets and orators of antiquity. Nor are there 
wanting descriptions conceived in the powerful tone and 
animated feeling of a poet or an orator. But never were 
such powers and acquirements employed to garnish such a 
string of truisms; — to tell us that time is always on the 
wing ; — that all human things are transitory, because Thebes 
and Quinsay have both fallen into ruins'^ ; that the fame of the 
greatest of Europeans cannot hope to pass the barrier of the 
Riphean mountains, any more than the glory of " Veneata- 

<* Note (QQ). 



LI IE OF JEREMY TAV[.OK, D.D. 153 

padino Ragium, king of Narsinga," hath sounded through 
the cities of the west. Life, he goes on to prove, is vain, 
because Homer hkened the race of men to the leaves of the 
forest; and the patriarchs, who sojourned on earth eight 
hundred years, esteemed their time but as a shadow. That 
it is miserable, he shows by divers strange instances of dis- 
ease, such as of" Feretrina, queen of the Barcaeans, whose 
flesh turned into maggots and grubs," and of Palaeologus the 
Second, emperor of Constantinople, *' whose infirmity, after 
a year's continuance, found no other remedy but to be 
conlhinalli/ vexed and displeased ; — his wife and servants, 
who most desired his health, having no ways to restore it but 
by disobedience, still crossing and opposing him in whatever 
he most desired." That life must have an end, and all the 
beauty and excellency of the body perish ; that death is 
certain, and may come very shortly, he proves not only by 
the examples of Adam, Cain, Methuselah, and many other 
eminent persons, who have all had the misfortune to die, 
but from the experience of those who attend on the dead, 
and witness the change of the body into corruption. By 
such considerations as these, no man was ever yet moved to 
think himself in danoer of death: to slio-ht the enticements 
of pleasure, or to despise the promises of ambition. He 
whose heart and hope are in the present life, is not the less 
likely to affix a high value on twenty years of worldly 
existence, because some men, who have lived eight hundred 
years, could have been content to live on longer. That our 
fame cannot reach to Japan or China, is no very appalling 
consideration to those who have never contemplated a wider 
theatre of glory than Europe or England. And the homage 
of a single parish, the applause of a domestic circle, has 
ordinarily no less power to excite the ambition or the vanity 
of the human heart, than the loudest praises of the mightiest 
nations. That we must die, and one day be turned into dust, 
the miser and the voluptuary are aware already ; but they 
are considerations of a different and higher nature which 
alone have power to prevent either the one or the other 
from indulging in those pursuits which enable him to pass 
that short time agreeably. Such considerations, indeed, 
Taylor was not likely to forget ; and after eight chapters 
filled with the ornaments which I have already described, he 



154 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, U.D. 

at length arrives at the end of the world, and the terrible 
judgment to which it is a prelude. 

Even here, however, though it was impossible for him to 
avoid some bursts of sublimity, and though the subject itself 
is one which, in its bare enunciation, is sufficient to make 
the blood freeze and the ears tingle, — he has contrived, by 
a strange and laboured enumeration of circumstances, some 
unfounded on any scriptural authority, some fanciful or 
fabulous, some utterly triflino- and insig-nificant, to distract 
the attention of his readers as much as possible from the 
grander features of the picture, — the " melting of the 
elements with fervent heat," — '' the coming of the Son 
of God in the air, with all his holy angels with him," — 
" the throne of his glory," — the " trumpet of God," — and 
the simple, but awful terms of blessing and cursing. 

What commentator on the Revelations, since the time of 
Cornelius a Lapide, has believed that the allegorical locusts, 
described by St. John, are to be devils in that shape, who, 
at the end of the world, shall issue from the bottomless pit ? 
Who, that was really and fully impressed with the idea of 
all nature expiring in flames, could recollect that the works 
of Aristotle and Ulpian would then be consumed, or that the 
statue of massy gold erected by Gorgias the Leontine (//* 
not already destroyed,) '' shall perish in this great and general 
conflagration ? " Nor, though the circumstance is, in itself, 
picturesque and well imagined, and though abundant use of 
it has been made in the hymns and paintings of the Romish 
church, will Protestants in general read with much faith or 
interest, that '' before the Judge shall be borne his standard, 
which Chrysostom and divers other doctors affirm shall be 
the very cross on which he suffered." 

The second book is occupied in speculations on the 
glories of heaven and the miseries of hell, — pictures forcibly 
and ably drawn, but with much of bad taste, and still more 
of presumptuous fancy. Yet the practical observations of 
this latter part are far better than any in the preceding; 
and, while he expatiates on the glowing allegories employed 
in Scripture to express the rewards and punishments of 
eternity, as his imagination has a greater and more legiti- 
mate scope, so the images which he suggests are less 
mingled with trifling circumstances, and more calculated 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOK, D.D. 155 

to impress the mind of his reader with exalted delight or 
terror. On the whole, there are, perhaps, more and greater 
faults of style in the " Contemplations on the State of Man," 
than in any of Taylor's other writings ; but there are also 
beauties of description and of illustration, which, out of his 
writings, I know not where to find, and which, if he had 
written this work alone, would have raised him to no vulgar 
height among tlie divines of the seventeenth century. 

Such is, perhaps, the following description of Christ; 
which, if it be too daring for a Christian teacher, is at least 
conceived in a tone of high poetical feeling, and which, in 
the circumstance of the twofold appearance of the same 
divine countenance to the wicked and the good, bears a 
strong resemblance to a fine passage in the Kehama of 
Mr. Southey ^ 

*' The Saviour of the world shall sit upon a throne of 
great majesty ; his countenance shall be most mild and 
peaceable towards the good, and, though the same, most 
terrible towards the bad : out of his sacred wounds shall 
issue beams of light towards the just, full of love and 
sweetness ; but unto sinners full of fire and wrath, who shall 
weep bitterly for the evils which issue from them. So great 
shall be the majesty of Christ, that the miserable damned, 
and the devils themselves, notwithstanding the hate they 
bear him, shall yet prostrate themselves and adore him, and, 
to their greater confusion, acknowledge him for Lord and 
God : and those who have most blasphemed him shall then 
bow before him, fulfilling the promises of the eternal Father, 
that all things shall be subject unto him. 

" This is the end wherein all time is to determine ; and 
this the catastrophe, so fearful unto the wicked, where all 
things temporal are to conclude : let us, therefore, take heed 
how we use them ; and, that w^e may use them well, let us 
be mindful of this last day, this day of justice and calamity, 
this day of terror and amazement ; the memory whereof will 
serve much for the reformation of our lives : let us think of 
it, and fear it; for it is the most terrible of all things terrible, 
and the consideration most profitable and acceptable, to 

* Note (SS). 



156 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

cause ill us a holy fear of God, and to convert us unto him ; 
while I live, I will therefore ever preserve in my memory 
this day of terror, that I may hereafter enjoy security for 
the whole eternity of God. Above all things, I will keep 
before my eyes the last of all days ; and all the moments 
of my life I will think, and for ever think of eternity ^" 

The *' Christian Consolations" were originally written, as 
we are informed by the publisher in his preface, for the 
private use of a noble and excellent Lady, probably Anne, 
daughter of Sir Heneage Finch, and wife of his patron 
Edward Lord Conway, of whose benevolence and piety we 
read much in the writings of the excellent Henry More. 
She appears, from some parts even of his eulogium, and 
still more, from different slight circumstances mentioned of 
her in the Rawdon Papers ^, to have been a woman of con- 
siderable powers of mind, and of a high and seraphical 
devotion, but credulous and low-spirited, suffering under 
continued ill-health, and indulging, more than her husband 
seems to have patiently endured, in the privileges and fears 
of a hypochondriac invalid, and the austere retirement of a 
religious votary ; a zealous pupil, at one period of her life, 
of the sublime absurdities of cabalistic Platonism ; at 
another the confiding patient of the miraculous Greatraiks, 
and, at length, entirely surrounded by Quakers and 
enthusiasts of a yet wilder character. To such a person 
the Consolations which Taylor could offer might have been 
abundantly necessary and valuable : and, in fact, there is 
none of his works better calculated to bind up, with rational 
and warrantable comfort, the wounds of an afflicted spirit, 
and to confirm a weak and wavering one in the safe and 
authentic path of faith and duty. 

The treatise begins with stating the necessity of applying 
comfort rather than terror to those who are really impressed 
with a deep sense of the solemn truths of Christianity, and 
with shortly laying down the sources whence Christian 
comfort may be derived, from faith, from hope, from the 
graces of the Holy Ghost, from prayer, and the two sacra- 
ments. All these, as conducing to our present happiness 

Vol. iii. pp. 479— 48L 5 Note (TT). 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 157 

as well as holiness, he discusses in five chapters, none of 
them distinguished by the glowing beauties of some of his 
other productions, but all sensible, judicious, and affecting. 

The following passage is interesting, not only from its 
own merit, but as in some respects (in all essential respects, 
indeed,) differing from the language which he would have 
held when he wrote the '' Doctrine of Repentance." The 
Christian Consolations, it may be observed, was one of 
Taylor's last compositions. 

'* Be merciful unto my siu, for it is great, says David. 
This is not the way to deal with mortal judges, when we 
stand at their bar : but this is the way to obtain propitiation 
from our God. Heal me, for I am sore wounded : cure me, for 
I am very sick : be merciful unto my sin, for it is very great ! 
Zozimus, a Pagan that envied the honour of Constantine 
the Great, makes this tale to discredit him in his history : 
that Constantine had put his wife Fausta and his son Crispus 
to death ; after which, being haunted with an ill conscience 
that gave him no quiet, he sought among the heathen priests 
for expiation, and they could give him no ])eace; but he was 
told that the religion of Christians was so audacious as to 
promise pardon to all sins, were they never so horrible. Is 
not this to commend both the emperor and his religion 
under the form of a dispraise ? For what rest could a 
troubled mind attain to from the rites and superstitions of 
idol gods ? But, in the immense treasure of the price of the 
blood of Christ, there is redemption for every sinner that 
repents and believes." 

Not that he, at any time, forgot the parts and offices of 
repentance. 

" And beware that you overlook not these multitudes 
of sins of the under size, as if little grief or anxiety would 
serve for them. Are they not numberless grains of sand ? 
And may not a weight of too much sand sink down a ship 
as soon as a burden of too much iron ? The dailiness of sin 
must be bewailed with the dailiness of sorrow ; and then, 
when thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid : yea, thou 
shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet." 

The notions which he, at this time, entertained as to 
original sin, are also worth extracting. He is speaking of 
the difficulties which oppose us in our way to heaven ; and 



158 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

what he now says sufficiently exculpates him from having 
imbibed the error of the Perfectionists. 

" These difficulties are either in ourselves or in our 
adventure : in ourselves partly through natural imbecility, 
partly through contracted impotency. Our natural languor 
is that of original contagion, which makes us so weak that 
there is none that doth good, no not one. Which is not to 
be extenuated, as if the mahgnity of it might be suppressed 
with a httle resistance. It is good to know the power of so 
strong an enemy, that we may be fortified against it. It is 
a root of bitterness never to be digged up out of corrupt 
nature : a coal of fire spitting out sparks of temptation 
continually, as inward to us as the marrow is in our 
bones. Yet there is hope in Christ to slake this fire, though 
not utterly, in this life, to quench it. Therefore, since God 
is our help against the insurrection of this rebellious sin, 
let us be comforted in his help and not in excuses. For we 
must not plead our personal maladies and natural incli- 
nations, and think that God will take it for an answer, and 
ask no more. To what purpose are the pourings out of the 
Spirit, but that what is wickedly inbred from our conception 
should be shaken off from the tree, and a better fruit spring- 
up in its place from the increase of God V 

His observations on spiritual influence, on prayer, and 
on the sacraments, are all excellent. On baptism he states 
that — 

" Spiritual regeneration is that which the Gospel hath 
set forth to be the principal correlative of baptism. O happy 
it is for us to be born again by water and the Holy Ghost ! 
For better it were never to be born than not to be born 
twice. I have assurance that the spirit is not disjoined 
from the water, for Christ's word cannot fail that we shall 
be baptized with the Holy Ghost. But ye are washed, but 
ye are sa?ictijied, but ye are justified iu the nayne of the Lord 
Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. There is another cavil 
made by some, that, notwithstanding baptism, original sin 
remains in us all the days of our life. True, the sin is not 
blotted out in the infant; but it is blotted out of the book 
of God. And, as actual sins are pardoned for Christ's sake, 
yet it cannot be brought to pass that they should never be 
done which are done and past, but it is enough that they 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 159 

shall not be imputed ; so original sin cleaves unto us : it is 
not cast out, for I feel it in me, but it is remitted." 

Enough, however, has already been instanced to show 
the value of this long neglected and almost unknown manual, 
of which one single copy only was known to exist, in the 
Bodleian Library, from which the reprint is taken which 
appears in the present volume. I will only give two more 
extracts. The one is so characteristic of Taylor's manner, 
as to be, in itself, almost sufficient to establish the authen- 
ticity of the volume. 

*' Mark the rain that falls from above, and the same 
shower that, dropped out of one cloud, increaseth sundry 
plants in a garden, and severally according to the condition 
of every plant. In one stalk it makes a rose, in another a 
violet, divers in a third, and sweet in all. So the Spirit 
works its multiformous effects in several complexions, and 
all accordino; to the increase of God." 

The other I do not quote as praising or agreeing wdth it. 
It is a hard, and, I conceive, an unfounded statement of, at 
least in one very important instance, the spiritual state of 
the heathen. He maintains that neither Jews, nor TVlaho- 
metans, nor Pagans, get any thing by that prayer to which 
the promise is made, '' Ask, and ye shall have." — '' Such a 
faith as possessed idolaters is not that which impetrates 
mercy from God." 

Surely the instance, which he himself brings forward, of 
Nineveh, is a proof that even idolaters, and * a fortiori/ 
Mahometans and Jews, by prayer and repentance of some of 
their most ciying sins, may obtain from God very eminent 
and illustrious mercies. 

His Sermons next offer themselves to our obsei^vation, 
sixty-four in number, of which all, even those which were 
preached on public and political occasions, may be regarded 
as in a great degree practical. Of them a less accurate 
examination is necessary, inasmuch as no sermons of that 
age, perhaps of any other age, are more frequently on the 
tables and in the hands of general readers. To praise them 
would be idle and unnecessary ; and their faults, like their 
merits, are obvious even to a careless observer. To estimate, 
however, those merits sufficiently, it is necessary to bear in 
mind the difficulties attendant on this style of composition. 



160 LIFE OF JKllEMV TAYLOR, J^.D. 

and the few good models (besides St. Chrysostoni, whom 
in many respects he much resembled,) which Taylor, at the 
commencement of his career, had before him. 

It would be a long inquiry, and one which is by no means 
necessaiy to my subject, to enter into the causes of that 
remarkable decay of eloquence, which may be said to have 
taken its rise among the Greeks and Romans, from the time 
at which the usurpation of the Caesars had reduced their 
world to the sullen calm of despotism. This deficiency, 
beyond a doubt, as it extended to Pagans as well as 
Christians, and was felt while Christianity was as yet 
politically insignificant, arose from causes distinct from any 
peculiar habits of the Christian church. 

Yet, so far as this last was concerned, (in which the 
popular form of government, and the sermons preached in 
their different assemblies, might have led us to expect a dif- 
ferent result,) it is evident that the system of homilies, of 
which description are most of the addresses of the fathers to 
their congregations, though of all others, perhaps, the best 
fitted for general edification, was in itself unfavourable to 
the exercise of oratorical talent. 

A running commentary requires conciseness, and even 
abruptness : and the necessity of discussing many dif- 
ferent passages in succession, is almost inconsistent with 
a connected and lucid chain of argument ; with a brilliant 
peroration, or a comprehensive exposition of general prin- 
ciples. 

And there were other causes which tended still more to 
corrupt the taste of preachers ; of which the first was that 
fondness, derived from the cabalistic Jews, of detecting 
an internal sense in the plainest passages of Scripture ; 
and still more, the custom of applying such passages " by 
way of accommodation," to subjects the most foreign from 
their known meaning, — of which a good many instances 
may be found in Jerome, in succeeding fathers still more, 
and, most of all, in the divines of what are called the dark 
ages. 

Thus, when Jerome allegorizes, in his epistle to Fabiola ^, 
the different ornaments of the Jewish high priest into the dif- 

'• Ilieron. Op. ii. 38. L Etl. Francof. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. IGl 

ferent virtues and graces of a Christian ; when Athanasius 
finds out the penitent thief on liis cross in tlie second verse 
of the second chapter of Habakkuk ; when Gregory the 
Great makes Jericho at once a symbol of the moon and 
of our mortal nature, and, above all, when Bernard derives 
the word diabolus from *' two pockets"/' it is difficult 
to believe that they ' can have intended these fancies as 
argumentative, or to prove to their hearers any thing but 
the talents and acuteness of their teachers. Such, however, 
were the favourite ornaments of Christian orators for a lono- 

o 

lapse of ages ; and this taste, which of course, by degrees, 
degenerated into mere quibbling, was not yet extinct, as we 
learn from Echard's Contempt of the Clergy, in England 
during the life of Taylor, and prevailed, if we may believe the 
author of " Fray Gerundio," in Spain at a much later period. 

Another cause which materially contributed to detract 
from the elegance and eloquence of sermons, was the slavish 
subjection under which all Christendom was brought by the 
schoolmen, wdiose dicta were quoted as, in all cases, a 
definitive authority, and whose subtle distinctions and 
endless subdivisions were, no less than their peculiar and 
technical phraseology, made the model of style as well as 
the landmarks of intellect. 

I am far, indeed, from being inclined to join in an indis- 
criminate neglect or ridicule of those laborious and able men, 
whose w^orks, to judge from a very small acquaintance with 
them, are often models of fair and patient investigation, and 
whose errors are rather from their imperfect means of know- 
ledge, than from any defect in (what they principally pro- 
fessed) their mode of arranging knowledge already acquired. 
Still farther am I from considering a familiarity with the 
forms and principles of logic as otherwise than most 
advantageous to whoever would think accurately, or ex- 
press himself with clearness. 

But the unseasonable application and ostentatious pro- 
duction of these studies, as the first perplexed an eminent 
truth in a multiplicity of insignificant distinctions, so the 
second resembled the fault of those unskilfid painters who 
strip the skins from their figures, that the muscles and 



N()te(ITlT). 
M 



1G2 LIKE OF JERKMV TAVLOH, D.I), 

anatomy may be admired. The accuracy of the skeleton 
should be traced in the correct proportion of the perfect 
limbs ; the logical precision of the orator should be felt in 
the invulnerable nature of his arguments ; but neither the 
bones nor the syllogisms need be exposed to view, in the 
finished picture or the finished oration. Yet thus unprofit- 
ably minute, thus repulsively scholastic, are by far the 
greater part of the most eminent divines from the middle 
ages down to the civil war ; while those others who, like the 
Franciscans, the early reformers, and the puritans^ found 
a more popular style indispensably necessary to their pur- 
poses, sought popularity in a homeliness of language and 
allusion ; in a merriment misapplied, and a robust and 
striking, but rustic familiarity with sacred things, which 
often impresses us with its vigour and amuses us with its 
quaintness ; though, at the present day, no preacher in his 
senses *would venture on it, nor would any audience endure 
it. Even when the usual style of other compositions was sin- 
gularly flowing and majestic, these errors of stiffness or 
bad taste continued long to cleave to the pulpit ; and though 
the homilies of the church are an early and illustrious 
exception, abundant specimens of all the several faults 
which I have noticed may be found in most sermons from 
the Reformation down to the time of Taylor. 

Of these very faults, indeed, though he himself, in his 
subsequent works, has almost entirely escaped the con- 
tagion, we find, in his earliest Sermon, on the Gunpowder 
Treason, some evident traces, though, even here, they 
are blended with and redeemed by merits, which gave 
ample promise of the fruit which his maturer years might 
supply. 

The text is that verse of St. Luke, (chapter ix. verse 54,) 
in which the disciples of our Lord ask permission to call 
down fire from heaven on the inhospitable Samaritan 
villagers. In applying this passage to the event w^hich he 
commemorates, he proposes to discuss, first, the persons hy 
whom, in either case respectively, (that of the instance 
recorded in the Gospel, and that of the gunpowder con- 
spiracy,) the proposition was made to bring destruction on 
men of a difierent religion : secondly, the reasons alleged 
for such a proposition : thirdly, the persons to whom the 
proposition was made : fourthly, the nature of the propo- 



I 



LJFK OF JKRK.MV TAV !,()]{, D.U. 1G3 

sition itself: fifthly, the example, or precedent which was 
pleaded for it. 

Here is enough, and more than enough, of the formality 
of scholastic arrangement; but I fear we shall not find 
much of the clearness and accuracy which alone can make 
such a formal arrangement valuable. Of these heads, the 
greater number are merely solemn trifling, inasmuch as the 
answers to them are either too self-evident to admit of 
discussion, or too remote in their bearing on the general 
course of his argument, to be valuable to the purposes of a 
logician. The last topic of inquiry, (the example or pre- 
cedent of Elias,) which might have been made extremely 
interestino' and instructive, as involvinor the same sfrand 
question of religious persecution which Taylor afterwards 
discussed so ably, he, in this place, merely notices without 
any discussion whatever. In treating of the remainder, and 
in comparing the relative situation of the apostles and the 
Romish clergy, he is not satisfied v/ith the real point of 
similarity in both being professed followers of the Messiah ; 
but runs into a string of frigid conceits to show that the 
proposal was in both instances of apostolic origin, inasmuch 
as, though the immediate contrivers of the powder plot 
were laymen, yet the Church of Rome (originally founded 
by the apostle Peter,) having allowed and applauded similar 
acts of atrocity, had given the first encouragement to such a 
project! Taylor may be thought to have forgotten both the 
new and the old organon when he quibbled thus egregiously ; 
but this was the style of ornament in favour with his age, 
of which I have prepared the reader to expect some 
instances, and which was, in fact, intended to prove nothing 
but the wit and ingenuity of the preacher. 

This trifling is, however, mixed up with much graver 
and more powerful matter. The proofs which he advances 
to show the opinion of the Romish church as to the lega- 
lity of deposing and destroying heretical sovereigns, 
(from Saunders, who advised a crusade against them, to 
Emanuel Sa, who justified their assassination, and Ma- 
riana, who recommended poison as the surest means of 
accomplishing it,) are, unhappily, but too cogent and con- 
clusive. But these arc here clearly out of their place, and, 
according to his own proposed arrangement, belong more 



1G4 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.U. 

properly to the second branch of the inquiry ; in which, 
(after examining and combating the causes alleged by the 
Romanists themselves for the atrocious attempt in question, 
and the general disaffection of their party, which led them 
to it,) he insists, that it is futile to speak of our severities as 
having been the occasion of the gunpowder-plot, when their 
own accursed principles, if not necessarily or universally, 
yet naturally and regularly conducted and compelled them, 
even as a matter of reason and conscience, to the de- 
thronement and destruction, by any and every means, of 
heretical sovereigns and senates. 

In combating, however, the pretexts for discontent alleged 
by the Papists, as arising from the conduct of the English 
government towards their sect, the preacher is not altogether 
successful. Thus, the fine imposed on recusants, for not at- 
tending the public worship of the national church, he endea- 
vours to clear from the stain of religious persecution, by 
urging that such recusancy could not have proceeded from 
relio;ious motives. The Romanists, he observes, had actually 
and usually attended the service of the Church of England, 
from the first to the eleventh year of Queen Elizabeth, when 
Pius the Fifth sent forth his bull for the excommunication 
and dethronement of that princess. " It is plain," he argues, 
" that religion did not make them absent themselves from 
our churches, unless they had changed their religion since 
the bull came over. For, if religion could consist with 
their communicating with us before the bull, (as it is plain 
it did,) then why not after the bull, unless it be part of their 
religion to obey the Pope rather than God, commanding 
us to obey our prince?" 

This is, surely, a quibble unworthy both of the cause and 
its advocate. Taylor knew perfectly well that it is a part of 
the religion of the sect in question to deny that God has 
given to the temporal prince any power whatever, " circa 
res sacras," and to believe that all authority of this kind, 
under God, was centered in the Pope alone. And he must 
have perceived that, though they might lawfully attend the 
ordinances of the national relio;ion, so Ions: as that religion 
was tolerated or not condemned by the Pope ; and though, 
in acting thus, they showed a laudable desire to obey their 
temporal sovereign as far as possible, yet, when the king and 



LIFE OF JEREiMY TAYLOR, D.I). 165 

the Pope issued contrary mandates on such subjects, they 
were bound by their rehgion to obey the latter rather than 
the former. The question was not, whether they acted 
reasonably in receiving and maintaining such an article of 
faith, — but whether this 7cas an article of faith for acting 
on which they were punished ; and, this being certain, it is 
altogether as certain that the mulct imposed on the popish 
recusants was, to all intents and purposes *' soul money," 
and liable, as such, to all the unanswerable objections which 
Taylor has himself elsewhere brought forward against the 
principle of persecution for conscience sake. 

He is more fortunate, however, in his apology for tlie 
severities denounced against the publishers of the bull in 
question, and against the toleration of the Romish priests in 
a land whose tranquillity their daily conduct menaced. The 
publication of the bull was evidently seditious, and what 
no sovereign could endure without virtually renouncing the 
sovereignty. The priests were the avowed agents of a foreign 
and hostile potentate, and had already begun those practices 
against the authority and life of the queen, which were only 
rendered more atrocious by the fact that they were many of 
them her native subjects. And, in the exposure which fol- 
lows of the language held, the doctrines sanctioned, and the 
line of conduct pursued by the Romish hierarchy towards 
Elizabeth, and other princes similarly situated, the author 
may be said to have almost justified the severe reprobation 
with which he winds up this part of his discourse, that " so 
far from its being strange that their people call for fire to 
consume the Protestants, it would be rather a wonder if 
they did not ; " and that, " although it be no rare and 
unusual a thing for a Papist to be de facto, loyal or 
duteous to his prince, yet it is a wonder he is so, since 
such doctrines have been taught by such masters." 

In considering the persons to whom the contrivers of the 
plot intrusted their intentions, their confessors, namely, and 
spiritual guides, he discusses at some length, and with 
great learning and acuteness, the question of how far those 
confessors were bound to conceal or disclose the horrible 
secret communicated to them. He maintains, first, that the 
communication made to Garnet did not come under the cha- 
racter of a confession at all in the ecclesiastical sense of the 



166 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

term ; inasmuch as it was not the acknowledgement of a sin 
already passed and then repented of, but the proposition of a 
measure prospectively determined on, which the propounders 
did not regard as sinful, but on the expediency of which they 
consulted their spiritual guides; and which, notwithstanding 
the contrary opinion of those guides, they still continued to 
meditate. It was allowable, therefore, in Garnet and his 
bretliren, even on their own principles ; and, if allowable, it 
was, on every principle of justice and charity, incumbent on 
them to disclose the crime which they had no other means 
of preventing. 

But this is not all : for, secondly, he examines into the 
antiquity and authority of that rule which they pretend for 
the inviolable secrecy and sanctity of confession ; and proves 
most triumphantly, from the admission of the best casuists 
of their own sect, that there are certain cases in which con- 
fessions may and must be divulged : as, where it is necessary 
to prevent an incestuous marriage ; to bring to light a lurk- 
ing heresy ; or where the penitent himself allows the confes- 
sor to reveal his secret. But treason, he argues, is, at least, 
as criminal and dangerous as incest or heresy ; and, if the 
permission of the individual dispenses with the oath of the 
priest, much more will this be the effect of the prior relation 
in which both priest and penitent stand to the nation of 
which they are members, and the sovereign to whom they 
owe allegiance. And, in the particular case of treason, he 
shows, that, both in France and at Rome, it has been usual, 
and always accounted allow^able, to reveal such confes- 
sions as involved the death of the sovereign. And that the 
obligation to keep all confession secret, rests, in fact, on no 
other or stronger sanction than that which binds every good 
man to conceal, in ordinary cases, a secret imparted to him, 
he shows, by the ancient 'practice of both the Eastern and 
Western Churches. Both these, he observes, not only 
authorized, but, in some instances, enjoined the priest to 
reveal to the whole congregation whatever more crying sins 
had been, under this seal, communicated to him. He 
proves that it was, at one time, esteemed the duty of the 
confessor to impart to the church all the transgressions 
which thus came to his knowledge ; and that the decree of 
St. Leo, which relaxed this inconvenient obligation, ex- 



LIFE OF JEREEY TAYLOR, D.D. 167 

tended no farther than to permit and enjoin the priest, at his 
discretion, to keep some sins secret, " lest men, out of in- 
ordinate love to themselves, should rather refuse to be 
washed than buy their purity with so much shame." He 
concludes, therefore, that the confessors of Digby and his 
associates were bound, on every principle of their own 
canons, and of general Christianity, to divulge the meditated 
treason. 

The rest of the sermon is occupied in descanting on the 
nature and enormity of the destruction which was contem- 
plated, and he concludes with a pathetic exhortation to 
thankfulness and piety. 

Of the affectation and frigid pedantry which pervaded 
most of the writings of that age, and from which Taylor, in 
his subsequent works, to a great degree emancipated him- 
self, several instances may be found in this sermon. Some- 
times the preacher indulges himself in the use of foreign 
terms and modish barbarisms, such as no judicious orator 
would introduce into a solemn or pathetic composi- 
tion. " There is fire in the text," he tells us, " consum- 
ing fire, like that whose antevorta we this day commemo- 
rate." After the coming of the Messiah, the spirit 
of Elias is said to be *' out of date ;'' and in the Jesuits, 
'' we may quickly find out more than a |;a7e// for St. James 
and St. John, the Boanerges of the text." Such terms as 
these have neither the homely vigour of colloquial English, 
nor the pomp and gravity of derivatives from the learned 
languages : — they were, in their day, the mere cant of 
travelled foppery, and were the last remnants of that Baby- 
lonish euphuism, which, from the example of the court, had 
infected the language of the bar, the parliament, and the 
pulpit. 

Sometimes, in his attempt (a very needless one) to 
exaggerate the enormity of the transaction, he lays a stress 
on circumstances in themselves merely indifferent. If a 
base and cowardly destruction of the whole nobility of 
a country were resolved on, it mattered little or nothing by 
what agent their death was to be effected. Taylor, however, 
is of a different opinion, and makes it a leading aggravation 
of the crime of the conspirators, that they designed to 
employ so devilish an agent a^ gunpowder. The apostles. 



168 LIFE or JEUE-MY TAYLOK, D.D. 

he tells us, " would have had their fire from heaven, but these 
men's conversation was not there ; Ta xarc^jDtv, things from 
beneath, from an ortificinl hell, but breathed from the 
natural and proper, were in all their thoughts!" Some- 
times the preacher is facetious — " If his HoUness be 
wronged in the business, I have no hand in it. The speech 
was avouched for as authentic by the approbation of three 
doctors. Let them answer it. I wash my hands of the 
accusation." — Again: " If to their anathemas they add 
some faggot of their own and gunpowder, 'tis odds but we 
may be consumed indeed !" 

There are other passages, however, far more in the usual 
and appropriate style of Taylor, and which should abun- 
dantly redeem this earliest of his writings from indiscrimi- 
nate neglect or censure. That cause, he says, bore a fair 
excuse, which moved James and John to a wrath so incon- 
siderate. '' It would have disturbed an excellent patience 
to see him whom, but just before, they beheld transfigured 
in a glorious epiphany upon the mount, to be so neglected 
by a company of hated Samaritans, as to be forced to keep 
his vigils where nothing but the welkin should have been 
his roof, nor any thing to shelter his precious head from 
the descending dews of heaven." — " When first," he 
shortly afterwards observes, *' when first I considered they 
were apostles, I wondered that they should be so intem- 
perately angry. But, when I perceived they were so 
angry, I wondered not that they sinned. Not the pri- 
vilege of an apostolical spirit, not the nature of angels, not 
the condition of immortality, can guard from the danger of 
sin ; but, if we are over-ruled by passion, we almost 
subject ourselves to its necessity. It was not, therefore, 
without reason, that the Stoics afl[irmed wise men to be 
void of passions ; for, sure I am, the inordination of any 
passion is the first step to folly. And, although of them, 
as of waters of a muddy residence, we may make good 
use, and quencli our thirst, if we do not trouble them ; 
yet, upon any ungentle disturbance, we drink down mud 
instead of a clear stream, and the issues of sin and sorrow, 
certain consequents of a temerarious or inordinate anger." 

In the conclusion, after instancino- " the sacrilee:ious 
ruins of the neighbouring temples, which must needs have 



LIFE OF JEllE.^IY TAYLOR, D.D, 1G9 

perished in the flame," — "the disturbing the ashes of our 
entombed kings, devouring their bodies like sepulchral 
dogs;" and observing that ''these are but minutes in respect 
of the ruin prepared for the living temples," he proceeds : 

" Stragem sed istani iioii tiilit 
Christus, cadentum principuni 
Impiine, ne forsan sui 
Patris periret fabrica. 

" Ergo qu?e potuit lint^ia retexere 

Laudes, Christe, tuas, qiii doniitum struis, 
Infuhiin popixlum cum diice perfido ''." 

** Let us, then return to God the cup of thanksgiving, 
he having poured forth so largely to us of the cup of sal- 
vation ! — We cannot want wherewithal to fdl it. Here is 
matter enough for an eternal thankfulness, for the expression 
of v/hich a short life is too little ; but let us here begin our 
hallelujahs, hoping to finish them hereafter, where the many 
choirs of angels will fill the concert^*" 

On this first production of Jeremy Taylor's abilities I 
have bestowed a large, and what may seem perhaps to some, 
a disproportionate share of notice. But it is his first produc- 
tion. Its very faults belong to the history of the time, and 
increase our respect for his subsequent and more illustrious 
labours ; and the topics which it discusses are of no slight 
or transient importance; but have reference to disputes 
of which we are not likely to see the end, to principles 
which, in every age of the church, are important. And 
though his style had not yet received its full polish, and 
thouoh his aro-uments are, in some instances, not well con- 
cocted, the facts which he has collected in the history and 
philosophy of religion are such as to mark his Sermon on 
the Gunpowder Treason for one of the most important and 
powerful attacks on the Jesuits and the Romish hierarchy. 

This sermon, which at first appeared separately, was 
never, I believe, reprinted by Taylor during his life-time. 
His next publication of the same kind was a collection of 
fifty-two Sermons, described as '* a Yearly Course," or Ev/ayroc, 
divided into two volumes, for the winter and summer half 

^ Note (I). ' Vol. \i. p. 025 



170 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

years ; of which that was first pubhshed which now stands 
last in order. Why he thus denominated them I am at 
a loss to conjecture ; since, with the exception of two 
Sermons for Whitsunday, and three on the Advent of Christ 
to Judgment, there are none which, either by text or matter, 
are more adapted to one day than another ; while even 
the solemn festivals of Christmas, Easter, and Trinity,' are 
passed over without any particular notice. Nor is this 
deficiency supplied by any of the sermons in the supple- 
ment : these are, with three exceptions which might have 
been preached at any time, preached on diflTerent local 
topics, or before different public bodies; but none of them 
are for those days when an appropriate composition is 
ordinarily called for by the practice of the Church of Eng- 
land. The cause of this singularity I cannot conjecture. If 
he had not named Whitsunday, it might have been ascribed 
to a necessary compliance with the prejudices of the faction 
then in power, whose aversion from all such ecclesiastical 
distinction of days is sufficiently known to have been exces- 
sive. But, when one festival of the Church was named, 
it could have, in this respect, availed him nothing to pass 
over the others in silence ; and in his other writings he has 
paid no such respect to the prejudices of his contempo- 
raries. I own, I regret the want of some such discourses in 
the present collection ; because, with Taylor's peculiar 
talent for whatever is picturesque or poetical in religion, we 
might have anticipated from him some very splendid 
displays of oratory and pathos, when discussing those awful 
images of power, of mercy, and of suffering, which the 
return of days like these is intended to recal more forcibly. 
And when it is recollected how greatly we have most of us 
been affected, by the conformity observed between the day 
and its devotions ; the Scriptures read, and the sermons 
preached on such occasions, we may well conceive to how 
good purpose these advantages must have been em- 
ployed by the impassioned and affectionate eloquence of 
Jeremy Taylor. 

Nor is this the only circumstance which may, at first, 
surprise us. It may still more excite our wonder that such 
sermons as these should have been addressed to any but 
an audience exclusively academical. An university alone. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 171 

and ail university of no ordinary erudition, appears the fitting 
theatre for discourses crowded, as tliese are, with quotations 
from the classics and the fathers ; with allusions to the most 
recondite topics of moral and natural philosophy ; with illus- 
trations drawn from all the arts and sciences, and from 
history ancient and modern, clothed in a language rich and 
harmonious, indeed, beyond all contemporary writers, but 
abounding in words of foreign extraction, and in unusual 
applications of those which are of native origin. Nor sliould 
I have hesitated to conclude, that most of Taylor's sermons 
had been really composed and intended only for an acade- 
mical audience, had not the author himself informed us, 
in his title-page and his dedication to Lord Carbery, that 
they were preached at Golden Grove, to the family and 
domestics of his patron ; or, at most, to a few gentlemen 
and ladies of that secluded neighbourhood, and to as many 
of the peasantry on the estate as could understand English. 
It is true, perhaps, that in those days a learned style of 
preaching was not only more frequently affected by divines, 
but more generally popular with their auditories, than it 
has been during the last century ; and that they who could 
least understand a sermon, were not, therefore, the least 
ready to applaud it. The popularity of some preachers has 
descended to our times, who seem to have had scarcely 
any other stock in trade than a quantity of good and suffi- 
cient Greek and Hebrew quotations ; while, on the other 
hand, the simplicity and unaffected plainness of the ad- 
mirably learned Pocock was regarded by the rustics of 
his parish, as a proof that, ''though a kind and neighbourly 
man, he was no Latinist." Taylor, however, had no need of 
such arts, and was by far too conscientious to employ them. 
He was too good, as well as too wise ; too earnestly intent 
on amending the hearts and saving the souls of his hearers, 
to have amused their ears with that which could not reach 
their understanding ; and I am therefore much inclined to 
believe, that, in preparing his sermons for the press, he 
materially changed them from the compositions which he had 
delivered to his rustic auditory in South Wales ; or, that 
they had really been, in the first instance, designed for 
the university pulpit; and that, when preaching them at 
Golden Grove, he had recourse to such extemporaneous 



172 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

omissions or alterations as suited the abilities and cir- 
cumstances of his conoTeo;ation, 

Such omissions or alterations would, in fact, leave the 
essential merits of the discourse in a great measure unim- 
paired. The tenor of its reasoning would remain unbroken, 
thouoh the recondite illustrations were withdrawn. Those 
illustrations and images which, as is the case with no 
small number in Taylor's works, are borrowed from natural 
objects, would produce a yet more powerful effect in 
proportion as those objects were familiar to his hearers. 
The practical wisdom of his counsels ; his awful denun- 
ciations of God's judgments against sin ; his admirable topics 
of consolation to the penitent ; his affectionate earnestness, 
and his yet more persuasive piety, would lose none of their 
power if delivered in more homely language ; and those 
persons are mistaken, who apprehend that a congregation 
in the humble ranks of life are unequal to the task of follow- 
ing up the most accurate chain of reasoning, if conveyed in 
words of which they know the meaning. To lay down a 
general rule for the selection of such a popular language is 
not, indeed, very easy; but it will be found, for the most 
part, that words of Saxon or Teutonic derivation, as they are 
more forcible and expressive to all English ears, so to an 
uninstructed English ear they are usually far more intel- 
ligible than those terms, (however familiar to the educated 
part of the nation,) which are of French or Latin origin. 

But whatever the sermons of Taylor may have been, 
as delivered from the pulpit and to a miscellaneous or vulgar 
auditory, it is certain that, as essays for the closet, and 
as intended for those into whose hands they usually fall, few 
compositions can be named so eminently distinguished 
by fancy, by judgment, by learning, and by powers of rea- 
soning ; fev/, where the mind is so irresistibly allured, if not 
to agree with, the author, at least to think Vv^ell of him ; or 
where so much luxuriance of imagination, and so much 
mellowness of style, are made the vehicles of divinity so 
sound, and holiness so practical. Those persons will, in fact, 
be much deceived, (they may be, perhaps, deceived to their 
own infinite advantage,) who take up his sermons as a book 
of amusement only ; in wliich little is to be found but quaint 
singularities of expression, and pedantic though brilliant and 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 173 

characteristic ornament. As little will those do justice to 
their merits, who draw back from their perusal in the ex- 
pectation of finding precepts too rigid and ascetic for our 
nature, or the general frame of society ; the dicta of one 
who had forgotten or never experienced the temptations 
of the world, or the inexpediency of laying down an imprac- 
ticable measure of duty. No writer, with whose works I am 
acquainted, has spoken more wisely, or with a greater know- 
ledge, of the human heart ; none more moderately, or (except 
in those particulars where the souls of men are really endan- 
gered,) more indulgently, than Taylor in his ¥.vtu-j7og ; and, 
while his sermons on " Godly Fear " lay bare with a need- 
ful and scrupulous austerity the ruinous self-deceptions of a 
pretended repentance, and of that transient sorrow for sin or 
its consequences, which too many mistake for amend- 
ment, no wTiter has given a more just and beautiful picture 
of the goodness and gentleness of our Almighty Parent, 
than may be found in his discourses on the Miracles of the 
Divine Mercy""." Of the rest, the " House of Feasting," and 
the " Marriage Ring," are perhaps the most characteristic, 
and distinguished by the greatest liveliness of fancy ; while a 
very curious and difficult question is acutely and profit- 
ably discussed in the sermon on *' the Entail of Curses." 
And, (though some of his positions are here, as on fonner 
occasions, laid down with too great and unqualified severity,) 
many awful and alarming truths are powerfully expressed, 
where he is treating of what he considers '* The Invalidity 
of a Death-bed Repentance." Of all, the most likely to 
be practically useful are, perhaps, the two on " the Flesh 
and the Spirit," and those on the " Growth of Sin, and the 
several Estates of Sinners." All, however, may be read 
with profit ; and, by a man of genius, none can be read with- 
out delight and admiration. 

To the Ewcc'jro^ the Asxa; £/x£o>.//xa/o; appeared as a supple- 
ment, several years after, with a Dedication to the high- 
minded and stately Dutchess of Ormond ; who, though pro- 
fuse in her expenses, and haughty in her demeanour, was 
fond of religious reading, and really endowed with many 
distinguished and some amiable qualities. It consists, (1), 

■" Vol. V. }). \)n ; Vol. vi. p. l(;8, et seci- 



174 LIFE OF JKREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

of three Sermons on subjects referring to general practice, 
preached in Christ Church, Dubhn, but adapted to any 
occasion and to any well-informed audience; (2). Three 
Sermons on Public Occasions, already spoken of, at an 
Episcopal Consecration, before the Irish Parliament, and 
before the University of Dublin ; (3.) Two funeral Sermons, 
on the Death of the Primate, and on that of the Countess of 
Carbery; and, (4.) Two, to the Clergy of his Diocese, 
on the duties of the Christian Ministry. They are followed, 
in the present edition, by his first published sermon, and by 
the Funeral Sermon in Memory of Sir George Dalstone. Of 
these, the Sermons preached before the Parliament and the 
University of Dublin have been sufficiently noticed, as well 
as the Funeral Sermon on Archbishop Bramhall : they are 
parts, indeed, of Taylor's public life, and could not, without 
iinpropriety, be separated from it. For the rest, those 
preached at the Funerals of Lady Carbery and Sir George 
Dalstone, are remarkable not only for the beauty of their 
language and imagery, (in which respect the former is 
not surpassed by any of his most elaborate productions,) but 
for the powerful and persuasive manner in which, while 
rendering due honour to the dead, they warn and instruct 
the living, and improve the moments of grief and serious 
thought to the lasting advantage of their hearers. 

In other compositions of a similar character, we often find 
the main body of the discourse engrossed by a laboured 
panegyric ; while the religious lesson is crowded into a 
narrow corner, and treated as an accessary only. Such 
funeral sermons as these can lay claim to no further merit 
than belongs to a hat-band or a mourning-ring, — mere testi- 
monies of respect and regret, in which the friends of the 
deceased alone are concerned ; or which have, at best, no 
general value but what arises from the material or the work- 
manship. 

But in the labours of Taylor, the foremost place was 
always given to the glory of God and the salvation of his 
hearers. From the death of his patroness, he takes occa- 
sion, (in the first instance, and before he describes her 
virtues,) to enl-oige, in a strain of moving eloquence, on 
the uncertainty of life, and the method of enabling ourselves 
to meet death hopefully. And his account of Sir George 



LIFE OF JFK E:\IV TAYLOR, D.D. 175 

Dalstone is introduced by an able and interesting inquiry 
on the sources whence the heathen obtained their knowledire 
of a hfe to come ; on the usual lot of holy men in the 
jDresent life ; and on the abode and condition of the soul 
between death and the resurrection. 

The two Sermons on the " Minister's Duty in Life and 
Doctrine/' may yet call for some observations ; inasmuch 
as, in the first of these, while enforcing, with much earnest 
and awful eloquence, the paramount necessity of personal 
holiness in the clergy, he has been hurried to a length incon- 
sistent with sound reason, with the analogy of Scripture and 
the usual faith of Christians. 

After magnifying in a strain which is not unusual with 
him, the dignity of the ministerial office, by the consideration 
that, as Christians in general are chosen and sanctified from 
the world, so the clergy are chosen and sanctified from the 
general body of Christians, he urges, with great force and 
justice, that, — 

*' If, of every one of the Christian congregation, God 
expects a holiness that mingles with no unclean thing ;" 
— " If he accepts of none of the people, unless they have 
within them the conjugation of all the Christian graces ;" — 
" If he hath made them fights in the world, and salt of the 
earth, to enlighten others with their good example, and 
to teach them and invite them by holy discourses and wise 
counsels ;" — " What is it, think ye, or with what words is it 
possible to express what God requires of you ? They are to 
be examples of good life to one another ; but you are to 
be examples even of the examples themselves ""." 

This is as true as it is eloquent and awful. He also urg^, 
with great reason, that a wicked life is the greatest impe- 
diment to the success of any man's ministry ; inasmuch 
as his bad conscience is a continued reproof of his own 
teaching, and his bad example a no less continued dissuasive 
to his people's learning. Him, therefore, who teaches what 
he does not practise, he describes as " sitting in the chair of 
the scornful ;" as " mocking God, and mocking the people ;" 
as " destroying the benefits of the people, and diminishing 
the blessings of God." 

" Vol. vi. p. 4 DO. 



176 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

What follows, however, is of mere doubtful character : 
** This is but the least evil : there is yet much w^orse behind. 
A wicked minister cannot, with success and benefit, pray 
for the people of his charges." — " This is the priest's office ; 
and if the people lose the benefits of this, they are undone." 
— ** What, then, do you think will be the event of those 
assemblies, where he that presents the prayers of all the 
people is hateful to God ? Will God receive the oblation 
that is offered to him by an impure hand ; and can we hope 
that the minister who, with wrath, and doubting, and covet- 
ousness, presents the people's prayers, that even those 
intercessions shall pierce the clouds and ascend the mercy- 
seat, and descend with a blessing?" — '* The ecclesiastical 
order is by Christ appointed to minister his Holy Spirit 
to the people ; the priests in baptism, and the holy eucharist, 
and prayer, and intercession ; the bishop in all these, and in 
ordination beside, and in confirmation, and in solemn bless- 
ing. Now, then, consider what will be the event of this 
without effect : Can he minister the Spirit, from w^hom 
the Spirit of God is departed ° ?" &c. 

It is hardly necessary to point out the inconsistency of 
such a statement with the doctrine laid down by the Church 
of England in her 26th article, or with all our usual notions 
of the justice and mercy of that God, who can never, it 
may be presumed, allow the devotions of his people to be 
vitiated by offences over w^hich they have no control, and 
for which they have no remedy. 

Of this, Taylor himself seems sensible, wdien he admits 
that, " without his own fault, no man shall perish ;" that, 
** He that says amen, if he heartily desire what the other per- 
functorily and with his lips only utters, not praying wath his 
heart and with the acceptabilities of a good life, the amen 
shall be more than ail the prayer, and the people shall prevail 
for themselves when the priest could not J'." 

The misfortune is, that he speaks of this aid and comfort 
of the Holy Ghost, which the believing assistant shall ob- 
tain, notwithstanding the sins of his priest, as something 
" extraordinary " and " irregular ;" as if God, in this case. 



° VoL vi. p. 407. »' Ibitl. p. 50 L 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 177 

" did his work alone ;" as if the Spirit came " in ways of his 
own, and prevented the external rites and prepossessed the 
hearts of his servants," while the people became, under such 
circumstances, their own priests, and got " nothing, or but 
very little, by the ministration of their minister ;" or even, as 
he elsewhere expresses it, " the prayers of innocent people, 
being presented by an ungracious minister and intercessor, 
were very much hindered in prevailing." 

Now, it is plain that this principle, if carried to its full 
but legitimate extent, would overturn all church government 
whatever ; since, if the people get " nothing, or but very 
little, from the ministry of the priest," there can be no 
reason for attending on that ministry. Every man who 
found, or fancied he found, some human frailty in the *' angel 
of his congregation," would be justified in withdrawing 
from a place where " his prayers were very much hindered 
in prevailing." And if, under such circumstances, *' them- 
selves also become priests unto God," it is evident that their 
solitary devotions, or devotion offered by them in conventicles, 
would be so far from schismatical, that they would be in the 
likeliest course to be accepted. If this had been true, the 
Israelites would have done well in " abhorring the offering 
of the Lord," when Hophni and Phineas ministered at his 
altar ; which yet, we find, was so far from being the case, 
that it was charged as an additional sin on these profane 
sacrificers, that " they made the Lord's people to transgress.'* 
*' The Scribes and Pharisees," said our Lord, *' sit in Moses' 
seat; whatsoever therefore they say unto you, that do and 
observe, but after their works do ye not." 

The truth is, that Taylor has strangely confounded the 
personal w ith the official character of the minister ; that 
character by which he is himself to stand or fall, with that 
which he possesses as the appointed instrument of God's 
mercies, and in consequence of the covenant between 
Christ and the whole congregation of the faithful. The 
personal and private prayers of a wicked priest must, cer- 
tainly, fail of their effect, or bring down a curse instead of 
a blessing. But his public and ministerial prayers are not 
his own, but those of the great body of his constituents, 
which he, in their names, and as their organ, offers to God ; 
while, on the other hand, the spiritual graces which he 



178 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

conveys in the sacrament are not his own, (perhaps he may 
have no share in them,) but the bounty of God, of which he 
is the unworthy channel. 

It is, indeed, most true that tlie priest is bound to pray for 
the people not only publicly but privately, not only in his offi- 
cial but also in his personal capacity. And as, in the discharge 
of his ministerial function, he prays on his own behalf as well 
as theirs, the obligation is most powerful which rests on those 
of our profession, so to frame our lives that our devotion 
may be acceptable. The fervent prayer of any righteous 
man availeth much, and the public service of the church may 
avail the more, when he who pronounces it is one whom the 
Almighty hears with favour. But though the prayers of the 
whole body may gain force, from the intercessions of a holy 
minister, they cannot be supposed to lose their proper 
efficacy, though the congregation should be less fortunate 
in their prolocutor. 

I admit that in all cases where the people are in any 
degree answerable for their minister's guilt, they are likely 
to derive no advantage from his ministry. If he has 
departed from the church, and they support him in his 
schism; if, knowing his life or doctrine to be scandalous, 
they elect him in the first instance as their functionary ; or 
if they refuse or neglect to complain of him to those superiors 
who have power to correct or displace him, the sin is theirs 
as well as his, and they have reason to fear that such 
answers only will be given to their prayers as petitions 
usually receive when sent by an obnoxious messenger. 

But, where the people have no knowledge of the crime, 
or can obtain no redress or abatement of the scandal ; when 
the function is not only public, but recognised by God's 
word and the authority of ecclesiastical superiors, that 
cannot be imputed to them as a fault which is only their 
great misfortune : nor can the mutual communication of 
prayer and grace be impeded by the unworthiness of the 
channel, any more than the bad character of a public carrier 
can vitiate the letters which pass through his hands. In the 
instance already mentioned, Hannah prayed and was 
accepted, though the sacrificers were sons of Belial. 

Nor can it be said with truth that, where no remedy is to 
bchad, the people "" get nothing, or very little," by attendance 



LITE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 179 

on the ministry of a wicked person. Through his ministry 
they may, snrely, obtain the ordinary means of grace, *' the 
sacraments generally necessary to salvation :" they may 
offer up their prayers, through his ministry, under the 
circumstances to which a peculiar blessing and the especial 
presence of Christ is promised. The very unworthiness of 
their elder may be improved into an opportunity of exercising 
their faith, their obedience, and their charity ; their faith, as 
relying on God alone for the performance of his gracious 
promises ; their obedience, as complying with the com- 
manded rite under discouraging and disgusting circum- 
stances ; their charity, as bearing with their brother's faults, 
as praying with him, and for him. But while such as these 
may, by God's grace, reap grapes from thorns and figs from 
thistles, " they who have preached to them" (to use Taylor's 
own words,) " shall have the curse of Hananeel and the 
reward of Balaam, the wages of unrighteousness. But thus 
it was, when the wise men asked the doctors where Christ 
should be born ; they told them right, but the wise men 
went to Christ, and found him; and the doctors sate still 
and went not." 

The rest of the first discourse, and the whole of the 
second, are unexceptionable in point of theology ; and, in 
piety, learning, eloquence, and good sense, are admirable. 
Nothing can be more awful than the manner in which he 
concludes his first Sermon, with a description of the labour, 
the difficulty, the danger, and, on the other hand, the blessed- 
ness of the ministerial office ; with a warning that many 
things are lawful for the people which are scandalous in the 
clergy, and that the common life of the one must exceed the 
piety of the other. " Remember," he exclaims to his 
clerical hearers ; *' Remember your dignity to which Christ 
hath called you !" " Shall such a man as I flee?" said the 
brave Eleazar, — ** shall the stars be darkness, — shall the 
ambassadors of Christ neglect to do their king honour, — 
shall the glory of Christ do dishonourable and inglorious 
actions?" ''Ye are the glory of Christ," saith St. Paul; 
" remember that ! I can say no greater thing ; unless pos- 
sibly this may add some moments for your care and caution, 
that ' potentes potcnter cruciabuntur'^ !' " 

It was thus that Taylor pressed on the consciences 

1 Vol. \i. p. 506. 



180 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

of his brethren, '' not only to be innocent and void of 
offence, but also to be holy ; not only pure, but shining ; 
not only to be blameless, but to be didactic in your lives ; 
that as, by your Sermons, you preach in season, so, by 
your lives, you may preach out of season, that is, at all 
seasons, and to all men, that they, seeing your good works, 
may glorify God, on your behalf and on their own !" 

His second Sermon, on the Doctrine of Ministers, may 
surprise a modern divine by the little remembered names of 
those authors whose commentaries he recommends, and 
whose works are now of no frequent occurrence in any but 
college libraries. There are not many scholars of the present 
day who owe very many or very great obligations to ** Sixtus 
Senensis," — to *' the excellent book of Hugo de Sancto 
Victore," — to " the Prolegomena of Serarius," — " Andreas 
Hyperius," — or the ** Hypotoposes of Martinus Cantipra- 
tensis." It may excite, also, some surprise that no English 
work is named, and that those of Erasmus, Castellio, 
Melancthon, and Grotius, are passed over in silence. Those 
will be, however, agreeably disappointed, vt^ho anticipate, 
from the honour paid to these obsolete writers, an obsolete, 
and, for modern times, an unprofitable rationale of doctrine. 
No work that I am acquainted with displays more sound 
and enlarged views of scriptural interpretation : in none of 
equal length are so many useful hints afforded for the choice 
of subjects; — the avoiding of useless controversies; — the 
inculcation of truth in the manner least likely to provoke 
hostility; — the deference to authority which a Christian 
teacher should always display; — and the avoiding of all 
such topics as " serve a temporal end,'' or blend '* a design 
of state" with religion. 

But for these I must refer my readers to the discourses 
themselves, convinced that I shall be well entitled to their 
thanks, if I have now first introduced them to their notice. 
I have, indeed, been the more exact in noticing their single 
error, on account of their numerous excellencies, and because 
I was unwilling that a misapprehension of so much import- 
ance should pass current under the authority of such a 
writer, or that it should derogate from the utility of what I 
conceive to be one of his ablest and most useful com- 
positions "■. 

' Note (WW). 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 181 

Of the second class of his writings, namely, the Theo- 
gical, the earliest in date is the Defence of Episcopacy, 
published in 1642, soon after the king's retirement to 
Oxford. In gracefulness of diction, in richness of imagery, 
and in that warmth and kindliness of feeling which is in a 
great measure Taylor's jjeculiar characteristic, it is inferior, 
as might well be expected, to such of his writings as relate 
immediately to morals or devotion. It is also less meta- 
physical, in the highest sense of the term, less distinguished 
by enlarged views of the human mind, and the limits between 
circumstantials and essentials, than the Rule of Conscience 
or the Liberty of Prophesying. 

But it is, at least, a specimen of manly and moderate 
disputation; of a variety of learning, such as, even in that 
learned age, few other writers have brought to bear upon 
the same subject ; and of a style vigorous and elastic, 
which, both in taste and energy, leaves far behind it the 
greater number of contemporary theologians, and only 
falls short of that which few, indeed, have equalled, the 
sustained and majestic harmony of Hooker's Ecclesiastical 
Polity. 

Of the arguments, however, which he has advanced in 
favour of an institution which, through life, he regarded 
with more than common veneration, there are not many 
which strike me as new ; and, in the few particulars where 
he has taken a different ground from that generally occupied 
by the assertors of episcopal government, I am not sure that 
he has been fortunate. 

He sets out with asserting the absolute necessity that some 
form of church government should be found laid down in 
Scripture ; an assertion of precisely the same kind with that 
which was maintained by the Puritans in the reign of Eliza- 
beth, and which was so ably refuted by Hooker in the third 
book of his immortal work already referred to. The reasons, 
indeed, on which Taylor rests his position are as unsound 
as the position itself is, prima facie, questionable. " If,'' he 
urges, " for our private actions and duties ceconomical, they 
will pretend a text, I suppose it will not be thought possible 
Scripture should make default in assignation of the public 
government, insomuch as all laws intend the public and the 



182 LUE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

general directly, the private and the particular by conse- 
quence only and comprehension within the generaP." 

But this argument, if it proves any thing, will prove too 
much, and will send us to our Bibles for the model not only 
of ecclesiastical but of civil regimen ; inasmuch as the cases 
are both the same, and, in both, the presumption, if there 
were any, would be equal, that the general good should be 
provided for before the individual. We find, however, in 
fact, that, while the duties of individuals are marked out, in 
both the Old and New Testament, in the broadest characters 
and with the most scrupulous care, those individuals are left 
entirely to themselves and the decision of their own reason 
as to the manner in which they are to unite into nations or 
clans for mutual protection, and as to the persons and 
powers of those public functionaries whom they are to 
appoint as guardians of the general happiness and deciders 
of private differences. The truth is, that, however we may 
deceive ourselves with the term of an imaginary public, 
whom we dress up in the attributes of a real personage, 
and to whom we ascribe, in common speech, an existence 
and an interest distinct from those individuals of whom it 
is, in fact, only the collective name, no wise lawgiver will 
attempt to separate public from private happiness and virtue, 
or expect to obtain an aggregate of prosperity any otherwise 
than by consulting the prosperity of those individuals of 
whom that aggregate is made up. The moral laws, accord- 
ingly, (to which Taylor would liardly have denied a prece- 
dence over all other institutions,) not incidentally or 
mediately, but in the first instance, respect the conduct of 
individuals. And as all other laws, whether relating to 
forms of government or the internal regulations of society, 
are, in fact, modal and instrumental only, in order to the 
due discharge and observance of these higher and more 
holy obligations, it is reasonable that God, having taught us 
these last, should leave us, as, in nine instances out of ten, 
he has confessedly left us, to pursue, by such means as our 
human experience and natural faculties point out, the ends 
which his revelation has set before us. 

^ Episcopacy Asserted, sect. 1. vol. vii. p. 7- 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 183 

But Taylor goes on to urge that *' if Christ himself did 
not take order for a government, that we nuist derive it 
from human prudence and emergency of conveniences, and 
concourse of new circumstances, and then the government 
must often be cliangcd, or else time must stand still, and 
thing's be ever in the same state and possibility. Both 
the consequents," he tells us, " are extremely full of incon- 
venience. For, if it be left to human prudence, then either 
the government of the church is not in immediate order to 
the good and benison of souls ; or, if it be that such an 
institution, in such immediate order to eternity, should be 
dependent upon human prudence, it were to trust such a rich 
commodity in a cock-boat, that no wise pilot would be sup- 
posed to do. But, if there be often changes in government 
ecclesiastical, (which was the other consequent,) in the 
public frame, I mean, and constitution of it ; either the 
certain infinity of schisms will arise, or the dangerous issues 
of public inconsistence and innovation, which, in matters of 
religion is good for nothing but to make men distrust all ; 
and, come the best that can come, there will be so many 
church governments as there are human prudences*.*' 

In the first of these supposed consequences, Taylor 
assumes that " the government of the church is in immediate 
order to the good and benison of souls." But this is 
plainly untrue, since for this great end nothing more is 
immediatelif necessary (speaking always in subordination to 
the merits and sacrifice of Christ,) but the sincere word of 
God, as delivered in Scripture, to enlighten and establish our 
faith and the means of grace, which are afforded us in 
baptism and the Lord's supper. The government of the 
church is in immediate order to the faithful preaching of the 
truth and the decent and orderly ministration of the sacra- 
ments, but it is only through their means, and as a conse- 
quence of them, that it seeks the salvation of souls. It 
must rank, therefore, as Hooker wisely teaches, not among 
the points essential to salvation, but " those things that are 
accessary hereunto, those things that so belong to the way 
of salvation, as to alter them, is no otherwise to change that 
way than a path is changed by altering only the uppermost 

^ Episcopacy Asserted, sect. 1. vol. vii. p. 7- 



184 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

face thereof, which, be it laid with gravel, or set with grass, 
or paved with stones, remaineth still the same path "." 

To his observation respecting the danger of frequent 
changes or schisms, or both, it may be answered, that the 
risk of these in religious affairs is not greater than of muta- 
bility or rebellion in civil ; and that for both these, (even 
supposing us left to human prudence and experience as our 
only guides in framing our polity,) our natural caution and 
our natural respect for authority are, as well as our Christian 
prudence and Christian charity, the proper and efficacious 
remedy. In the eagerness, indeed, of his argument, he does 
not stop with the enumeration of these probable incon- 
veniences of the supposition which he deprecates, but 
pursues his consequence to an extent which would be sub- 
versive of all principles of human government, and leave no 
adequate means to preserve the peace of the world but a 
necessary tyranny or a direct theocracy. " If,'^ he urges, 
*' there be no opinion of religion, no derivation from a 
divine authority, there will be sure to be no obedience, and, 
indeed, nothing but a certain pubhc, calamitous irregularity. 
For why should they obey ? Not for conscience, for there 
is no derivation from divine authority. Not for fear, for 
they have not the power of the sword." Surely, when 
Taylor wrote thus, he had forgotten the apostolical precept, 
" Submit yourselves unto every ordinance of man, for the 
Lord's sakeM" 

Though Christ, therefore, were admitted to have left no 
definite law for the manner in which his church was to be 
governed, and though episcopacy were allowed to stand on 
the single basis of human institution, there would be still 
abundant reason against hasty or needless change of such 
an institution on the part of sovereigns, as well as against 
schism in particular persons, on this account, and from a 
church which exacted no unchristian terms of communion. 
But, it is certain that any positive institution of Christ, if 
really traced to him, is obligatory on the conscience of 
Christians; and, if Taylor had made good his second 
position, that our Lord, while on earth, appointed the two 
distinct offices of bishop and presbyter, no doubt could 

" Ectles. Polity, lib. iii. sect. 3. ^1 Pet. ii. 13. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 185 

remain but that both of these would rest on the same 
foundation with that of those sacraments themselves, which 
all men allow to be immutable. 

But here, too, the author, while attempting to prove too 
much, has assumed facts in which he is neither borne out 
by antiquity, nor the tenor of the gospel history, when 
he finds in the apostles, during the abode of their Lord on 
earth, the first bishops, and in the seventy-two disciples whom 
Christ also selected from his followers, the first presbyters 
of his church^. 

That the latter w^ere appointed by Christ to any thing 
more than a temporary and occasional function, is doubted 
by a writer not inferior to Taylor either in judgment or 
learning, — and inferior to none in his ardent devotion to 
the primitive institution of episcopacy, — the wise and 
excellent Hammonds That the office which they filled, 
even supposing it to be permanent, answered to the presby- 
terate, is opposed by the tradition of the church, preserved 
by Epiphanius, (and which Taylor unsuccessfully endeavours 
to reconcile with his own opinion,) that from their number 
the seven Deacons (or some of them at least,) were afterwards 
selected*. And it is opposed, above all, by the fact, that 
if the seventy had been made presbyters by Christ, they 
would have been the equals, at least, if not the superiors, of 
the apostles themselves ; whose priesthood, probably, and 
certainly their episcopacy, dates only from the time when 
their Divine Master sent them forth, with the Holy Ghost 
for their seal, from Mount Olivet, after his resurrection ^. 

That the apostles, thus left in charge of the faithful, thus 



y Luke, X. L 

* Hammond, Diss. 3. De omnibus Evangeliorum periochis, cap. i. sect. C. 
Op. t. iv. p. 776 ; ib. cap. v. sect. 5 ; cap. vi. sect. I. 

^ Epiphanius Haeres. lib. i. t. i. Op. voL i. p. 50. 

^ Some of the Romanists have, indeed, a strange fancy that Christ made 
the apostles priests when he instituted the eucharist. Boileau de Pr?ecept. 
Div. Comm. in utraque specie, p. 189. " Creavit et instituit sacerdotes 
his vobis, ' Hoc facite.' " — This notion is, however, justly reproved by 
Estius, Dist. xii. sect. 11, and Alphonsus a Castro, contr. Haereses, tit. 
Euch, p. 99. In general, all Christians agree to find the ordination of 
the apostles in Matt, xxviii. 10. and in John xx. 22. See what Taylor 
himself says in his Ductor Dubitantium, vol. xiii. p. 19, et seq. 



186 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

commissioned by Christ, and thus guided by the Paraclete, 
delegated to three different orders of men, distinct and 
different portions of the authority which they had themselves 
received ; that they ordained in different parts of the world 
apostles or bishops like themselves ; elders to act in subser- 
viency to those bishops, and deacons to assist those elders, 
— the author, in what follows, has, indeed, satisfactorily 
established. And it is plain, that not only is the fact that 
episcopacy was instituted by the followers of Christ and the 
possessors of the Holy Spirit, sufficient to prove it neither 
an irrational nor unchristian form of polity, but that a very 
great and evident necessity must be shown, before any 
human hand can be authorized to pull down or alter a fabric 
erected under such auspices. 

This, and this only, is the strong, and, if I may be allowed 
the expression, the impregnable ground of the episcopal 
scheme, and of Taylor's defence of it. It is not as thinking 
lightly of the advantages of that scheme, nor as underrating 
its real authority ; far less is it as desiring to detract from 
the reputation of an author, whom none can read without 
delight and improvement, that I have ventured these few 
remarks on arguments to which he himself has appeared to 
ascribe an undue degree of value. But I have done it to 
prevent other champions in the same good cause from being 
induced to commit the same error, and to show how needless 
it is to have recourse to doubtful or inapplicable proofs and 
presumptions, when, in an universal and apostolical tradition, 
every proof is contained, which can be, in such a case, 
desired or expected. — And, though I am far from confounding 
the relative value of institutions immediately authorized by 
Christ, immediately tending to the salvation of souls, or of 
visible and universal advantage to them, with those which 
chiefly respect ecclesiastical order, — it can hardly, I think, be 
denied that those churches are wisest who retain episcopacy ; 
those sectaries least excusable who dissent from it ; and that 
the authority of apostolical tradition cannot be reasonably 
rejected in this case, without endangering many other ob- 
servances of Christianity, which are almost universally 
accounted essentials. — With some qualification as to the 
case of infant baptism, in favour of which there is something 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 187 

very like a positive command of Christ, and respecting the 
Scripture proofs of which Taylor himself afterwards thought 
more reverently, the passage which follows, is well worthy 
the serious consideration of all who thoughtlessly or con- 
scientiously impugn episcopacy. 

" The sum is this. Although we had not proved the 
immediate divine institution of episcopal power over pres- 
byters, and the whole flock, yet episcopacy is not less than 
an apostolical ordinance, and delivered to us by the same 
authority that the observation of the Lord's day is. For, 
for that in the New Testament we have no precept, and 
nothing but the example of the primitive disciples meeting 
in their synaxes upon that day, (and so also they did on the 
Saturday in the Jewish synagogues,) but yet (however, that 
at Geneva, they were once in meditation to have changed it 
into a Thursday meeting, to have shown their Christian 
liberty,) we should think strangely of those men that called 
the Sunday festival less than an apostolical ordinance, and 
necessary now to be kept holy with such observances as the 
church hath appointed. 

" Baptism of infants is most certainly a holy and charitable 
ordinance, and of ordinary necessity to all that ever cried, 
and yet the church hath founded this rite upon the tradition 
of the apostles; and wise men do easily observe, that 
the Anabaptist can, by the same probability of Scripture, 
enforce a necessity of communicating infants upon us, as 
we do of baptizing infants upon them, if we speak of 
immediate divine institution, or of practice apostolical 
recorded in Scripture ; and, therefore, a great master of 
Geneva, in a book he writ against the Anabaptists, was 
forced to fly to apostolical traditive ordination. And there- 
fore the institution of bishops must be served first, as havino- 
fairer plea and clearer evidence in Scripture, than the bap- 
tizing of infants ; and yet, they that deny this, are, by 
the just anathema of the catholic church, confidently con- 
demned for heretics. 

*' Of the same consideration are divers other things in 
Christianity, as the presbyter's consecrating the eucharist : 
for if the apostles in the first institution did represent the 
whole church, clergy and laity, when Christ said, ' Hoc 
facitej — ' do this,' then why may not every Christian man 



188 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

there represented, do that which the apostles in the name of 
all were commanded to do? — If the apostles did not 
represent the whole church, why then do all communicate ? 
— Or, what place or intimation of Christ's saying is there, 
in all the four gospels, limiting * hocfacite/ id est, * benedicite/ 
to the clergy, and extending ' hoc facite/ id est, ' accipite et 
manducate,' to the laity ? This also rests upon the practice 
apostolical and traditive interpretation of holy church, and 
yet cannot be denied that so it ought to be, of any man that 
would not have his Christendom suspected. 

** To these I add the communion of women; the dis- 
tinction of books apocryphal from canonical ; that such 
books were written by such evangelists and apostles ; the 
whole tradition of Scripture itself; the apostles' creed; the 
feast of Easter (which, amongst all them that cry up the 
Sunday festival for a divine institution, must needs prevail 
as caput institutionis, it being that for which the Sunday is 
commemorated). These, and divers others of greater con- 
sequence (which I dare not specify for fear of being mis- 
understood,) rely but upon equal faith with this of epis- 
copacy (though I should waive all the arguments for imme- 
diate divine ordinance) ; and therefore it is but reasonable 
it should be ranked among the credenda of Christianity, 
which the church hath entertained, on the confidence of that 
which we call the faith of a Christian, whose master is 
truth itself ^" 

On the remainder of Taylor's argument, a very few 
observations are sufficient. — He obviates with much skill 
and learning, in his twenty-first section, the objection against 
the sole jurisdiction of the bishop, which is taken from an 
expression of Jerome, and discriminates between the separate 
functions and dignities of bishops and presbyters, whether 
these last are spoken of singly, or as assembled in diocesan 
councils. He solves that which is sometimes urged, from the 
indiscriminate manner in which, in the earliest times, the terms 
bishop and presbyter were sometimes applied, and defines 
the power and dignity of the ancient officer who was called 
" Chorepiscopus." — He then enlarges on the authority, 
influence, and honour, possessed by bishops in elder times ; 

•= Episcopacy Asserted, sect. 19. vol. vii. p. 74. 



LIFE OF JEllKMV TAYLOR, D.D. 189 

on the extent of their dioceses, and the allegiance paid them 
by their clergy, and concludes with proving, against the 
Church Pohty of Calvin, that at no period of antiquity did 
laymen hold office in the church. 

On the general style and spirit of this treatise I have 
already spoken, and the specimen which I have given may 
afford the reader a sufficient idea of both. The care is, 
however, worthy of notice, with which Taylor had already 
begun to guard against any thing which might sanction 
persecution, and which has led him, in two different places 
of his present work, to deny to the church the right of 
employing any but ecclesiastical censures. This denial is, 
as we have seen, employed by him as an argument for the 
necessity of an immediate divine commission to the episco- 
pacy, and he expresses himself still more strongly in sect. 35. 

*' As no human power can disrobe the church of the 
power of excommunication, so no human power can invest 
the church with a lay compulsory. For, if the church be 
not capable of a *jus gladii,' as most certainly she is not, the 
church cannot receive power to put men to death, or to iriflict 
lesser pains in order to it, or any thing above a salutary 
penance." ''Her censure she may inflict upon her de- 
linquent children without asking leave. Christ is her 
aukvria for that ; he is her warrant and security. The other 
[the power of secular punishment] is begged or borrowed, 
none of her own, nor of a Jit edge to he used in her abscisions 
and coercions. ^^ 

The " Defence of Episcopacy" was followed by his 
** Apology for authorized and set Forms of Liturgy," which 
first appeared in 1646, though it was enlarged in a second 
edition three years afterwards. It is a sufficient proof that 
he was no time-server, when a work of this kind appeared 
with his name, and with a reprint of his dedication to the 
king, at a time when that sovereign was already removed to 
another state of existence. 

The work, thus enlarged and improved, is, perhaps, 
among the best of Taylor's polemical discourses. It was a 
subject which gave abundant scope to his extensive know- 
ledge of antiquity and of human nature, and it was one above 
all, which, from its connexion with practical piety, was 
adapted to call into action much of that higher strain of 



190 

eloquence by which his practical works are more peculiarly 
distinguished. On prayer, indeed, he always seems to have 
felt and written '* with all his heart, with all his soul, and 
wnth all his strength;" and it is a subject, therefore, on which, 
of all others, his opinion is most valuable. The most stre- 
nuous admirers of extemporaneous prayer can hardly refuse 
their serious attention to the objections offered against its 
practice by one who was himself endued with so remarkable 
gifts both of eloquence and piety. And those whom his 
arguments fail to convince, or who need no arguments to 
convince them, will not the less be impressed by the majestic 
eloquence of his preface, in which he laments over the then 
persecuted condition of the English church, and concisely, 
but with a degree of clearness and elegance which has been 
seldom surpassed, reviews and regrets the merits of the 
proscribed liturgy. 

" In these things," he says, when comparing the calami- 
ties of England to those of Israel, in the days of Hophni and 
Phineas ; " in these things we also have been but too like 
the sons of Israel ; for, when we sinned as greatly, we also 
have groaned under as great and sad a calamity. For we 
have not only felt the evils of an intestine war, but God hath 
smitten us in our spirit, and laid the scene of his judgments 
especially in religion ; he hath snuffed our lamp so near that 
it is almost extinguished, and the sacred fire was put into a 
hole of the earth, even then when we were forced to light 
those tapers that stood upon our altars, that, by this sad 
truth better than by the old ceremony, we might prove our 
succession to those holy men, who were constrained to sing 
hymns to Christ in dark places and retirements." 

" But I delight not to observe the correspondences of 
such sad accidents, which, as they may happen upon diverse 
causes, or may be forced violently by the strength of fancy, 
or driven on by jealousy, and the too fond openings of 
troubled hearts and afflicted spirits ; so they do but help to 
vex the offending part, and relieve the afflicted but with a 
fantastic and groundless comfort. I will, therefore, deny 
leave to my own affections to ease themselves by com- 
plaining of others. I shall only crave leave that I may 
remember Jerusalem, and call to mind the pleasures of the 
temple, the order of her services, the beauty of her buildings. 



LIFE OF JEllEMV TAYLOR, D.D. 191 

the sweetness of her songs, the decency of her ministrations, 
the assiduity and economy of her priests and Levites, the 
daily sacrifice, and that eternal fire of devotion that went 
not out by day nor by night : these were the pleasures of our 
peace, and there is a remanent felicity in the very memory 
of those spiritual delights which we then enjoyed as ante- 
pasts of heaven, and consignations to an immortality of joys. 
And it may be so again when it shall please God, who hath 
the hearts of all princes in his hands, and turneth them as 
the rivers of waters ; and w^hen men will consider the inva- 
luable loss that is appendant to the destroying such forms 
of discipline and devotion in which God was purely wor- 
shipped, and the church was edified, and the people instructed 
to great degrees of piety, knowledge, and devotion."- — *' For 
to the churches of the Roman communion we can say that 
ours is reformed ; to the reformtjd churches we can say, that 
ours is orderly and decent : for we were freed from the im- 
positions and lasting errors of a tyrannical spirit, and yet 
from the extravagancies of a popular spirit too : our reforma- 
tion was done without tumult, and yet we saw it necessary 
to reform; we were zealous to cast away the old errors, but 
our zeal was balanced with consideration and the results of 
authority. Not like women and children when they are 
affrighted with fire in their clothes; we shake off the coal 
indeed, but not our garments, lest we should have exposed 
our churches to that nakedness which the excellent men of 
our sister churches complained to be among themselves'^." 

The advantages of set forms of prayer in general ; the 
peculiar merits of the English liturgy ; the weakness of the 
objections urged against its different particulars ; the testi- 
mony borne to its merits by the most celebrated among the 
martyrs of the reformation, (among whom he instances, with 
peculiar respect, the name of his own ancestor, Rowland 
Taylor,) contrasted with the obvious imperfections and 
arrogant claims of the recent " Directory/' are, all in their 
turns, concisely and eloquently treated : till he returns 
again to the excellence and misfortunes of the Common 
Prayer. 

" And yet this excellent book hath had the fate to 

•^ Preface to Ap.)lo£ry, sect. 2, 'i — 0". Vol. \\\. pp. 2IJ4 — 2»G. 



192 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

be cut in pieces with a pen-knife, and thrown into the fire ; 
but it is not consumed. At first, it was sown in tears, and 
is now watered with tears, yet never was any holy thing 
drowned and extinguished by tears. It began with the 
martyrdom of the compilers, and the church hath been 
vexed ever since by angry spirits, and she was forced to 
defend it with much trouble and unquietness ; but it is to 
be hoped, that all these storms are sent but to increase the 
zeal and confidence of the pious sons of the church of 
England. Indeed, the greatest danger that the Prayer- 
Book ever had, was the indifferency and indevotion of them 
that used it but as a common blessing; and they who 
thought it fit for the meanest of the clergy to read prayers, 
and for themselves only to preach, though they might inno- 
cently intend it, yet did not in that action consult the 
honour of our liturgy, except where charity or necessity did 
interpose. But, when excellent things go away, and then 
look back upon us, as our blessed Saviour did upon St. 
Peter, we are more moved than by the nearer embraces of a 
full and actual possession. I pray God it may prove so in 
our case, and that we may not be too willing to be dis- 
couraged ; at least, that we may not cease to love and to 
desire what is not publicly permitted to our practice and 
profession^." 

In this fine preface there is one passage, which I could 
wish had been differently worded. In commending, with 
good reason, the manner in which different passages from 
the Epistles and Gospels are selected to be read in the 
Communion Service, he thus expresses himself: — 

" If we deny to the people a liberty of reading Scriptures, 
may they not complain, as Isaac did against the inhabitants 
of the land, that the Philistines had spoiled his well, and 
the fountains of living water ? If a free use to all of them, 
and of all Scriptures, were permitted, should not the church 
herself have more cause to complain of the infinite licen- 
tiousness and looseness of interpretations, and of the com- 
mencement of ten thousand errors, which would certainly 
be consequent to such permission ? Reason and religion 
will chide us in the first, reason and experience in the 

« Preface to Apologry, sect. 47. p. 31 L 



LIFE OF JERE-AIY TAYLOR, D.D. 193 

latter. And can the wit of man conceive a better temper 
and expedient than that such Scriptures only, or principally, 
should be laid before them all in daily offices, which contain 
in them all the mysteries of our redemption, and all the 
rules of good life?" " And were this design made some- 
thing more minute, and applicable to the various necessities 
of the times, and such choice Scriptures permitted indif- 
ferently, which might be matter of necessity and great edi- 
fication, the people of the church would have no reason 
to complain that the fountains of our Saviour were stopped 
from them, nor the rulers of the church, that the mysteri- 
ousnesses of Scripture were abused by the petulancy of 
the people, to consequents harsh, impious, and unreasonable, 
in despite of government, in exauctoration of the power 
of superiors, or for the commencement of schisms and 
heresies." 

If, in these words, he means no more than to propose 
that, for the occasions of the public service of the church, 
and instead of the now almost continuous order in which the 
Bible is read in our congregations on week-days, a selection 
w^ere made after the manner of the ancient lectionaries, 
leaving the entire Bible as free as before to the private studies 
of all Christians, — I do not know that the measure which he 
recommends would be liable to any serious objections. It has 
been already adopted, to a certain extent, by the church, in her 
selection of the proper lessons for Sundays and saints' days 
throughout the year; and, even in the regular course of the 
daily chapters, it is w^ell known that the principle,, at least, 
is admitted by the exclusion of some particular passages. 
But it is not easy to &ee how a choice of Scriptures for 
public reading could prevent those which were read in 
private from being abused in the manner which he deplores ; 
and, if it were his design to permit the Scriptures to the 
laity only in such an abridged and garbled form as their 
spiritual rulers might think advisable, it could only remain 
for us to regret, that the danger of the times, and the bitter 
fruits of enthusiasm and fanaticism then before his eyes, had 
so far overpowered the better understanding and better 
feeling of a man like Taylor, as that they should betray 
him into a proposal at once so foolish and so blamable, so 
contrary to the maxims of an enlarged worldly prudence, 

o 



1 9 4 1 - 1 F K I' J F R ]-: -M V TAYLOR, D . D . 

and so dangerous to genuine Christianity. The strangest 
circumstance of the whole, and that which induces me still 
more to think that the author has here spoken inconsider- 
ately, is that, a few sections further on, he expresses an 
opinion directly contrary to that which he has here advanced, 
and praises the church of England, in the highest terms, for 
her orderly, and (with few exceptions) her indiscriminate 
reading of the Old and New Testament. " Certainly," are 
his words, " it was a very great wisdom, and a very prudent 
and religious constitution, so to order that part of the 
liturgy wdiich the ancients called the * Lectionarium," that 
the JPsalter should be read over twelve times in the year, the 
Old Testament once, and the New Testament thrice, besides 
the Epistles and Gospels, which renew, with a more frequent 
repetition, such choice places as represent the entire body 
of faith and good life. There is a defalcation of some few 
chapters from the entire body in the order ; but that also 
was part of the wisdom of the church, not to expose to public 
ears and common judgment some of the secret rites of 
Moses's law, or the more mysterious prophecies of the New 
Testament, whose sense and meaning the event will declare, 
if we, by mistaken and anticipated interpretations, do not 
obstruct our own capacities, and hinder us from believing 
the true events, be<5ause they answer not those expectations 
with which our own mistakes have prepared our under- 
standings ^" 

The treatise itself is occupied in discussing the arguments 
usually advanced either by those who object to all set and 
premeditated forms whatever, or by those who admit of a 
premeditated form, so it be not enjoined by authority, but 
every minister of the Gospel be left to the best use of those 
gifts of prayer which he possesses. Against the first of 
these he urges the counsel of Solomon, ** Be not rash with 
thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter any thing 
before God," demanding — *' who keeps the precepts best, 
he that deliberates, or he that considers not when he 
speaks?" — He proceeds to instance, to the same effect, the 
example and authority of the wisest nations and most sober 
persons of antiquity : and examines, with much learning and 

Pref. sect. 37- p. 303. 



i.rrK or jerf.mv taylor, ]).i). 195 

acuteness, the pretence of a promise in tlie Gospel of a 
spirit of prayer, and of a peculiar assistance to our unpre- 
meditated devotions. What he here lays down as to the 
nature of the ordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost, and those 
celestial aids which are purchased for us by Christ's blood, 
is extremely useful and important, inasmuch as he proves 
** that the aids of the Holy Ghost are only assistances to us in 
the use of natural means," and thaf labour, and hard study, 
and premeditation, will soonest purchase the gift of prayer, 
and ascertain us of the assistance of the Spirit." He shows 
that, even w^here the extraordinary aids of the Holy Ghost 
were most largely given in the case of the inspired writers of 
the New Testament, " yet, in the midst of those great assist- 
ances and motions, they did use study, art, industry, and 
human abilities." 

" This," he proceeds, " is more than probable in the 
different styles of the several books ; some being of admi- 
mble art, others lower and plain. The words were their 
own, at least sometimes, not the Holy Ghost's. And, if 
Origen, St. Hierome, and especially the Greek fathers, 
scholiasts and grammarians, were not deceived by false 
copies, but that they truly did observe sometimes, to be 
impropriety of an expression in the language, sometimes 
not true Greek, who will think those errors or imperfections 
in grammar were, (in respect of the words, I say,) precisely 
immediate inspirations and dictates of the Holy Ghost, and 
not rather their own productions of industry and humanity ?" 

" But, clearly, some of their words were the words of 
Aratus, some of Epimenides, some of Menander, some of 
St. Paul, [This speak I, not the Lord.]'' — " And, since that 
we cannot pretend on any grounds of probability to an 
inspiration so immediate as theirs, and yet their assistances, 
which they had from the Spirit, did not exclude human 
arts and industry, but that the ablest scholar did write the 
best, much rather is this true in the gifts and assistances 
we receive, and particularly in the gift of prayer. It is not 
an extempore and an inspired faculty ; but the faculties 
of nature, and the abilities of art and industry, are improved 
and ennobled by the supervening assistance of the Holy 
Spirit. And, if those who pray extempore, say, that the 
assistance thev receive from the Spirit is the inspiration 



196 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

of words and powers, without the operation of art and natural 
abihties, and human industry ; then, besides that, it is more 
than the penmen of Scripture sometimes had, (because 
they needed no extraordinary assistances to what they could 
of themselves do upon the stock of other abilities). Besides 
this, I say, it must follow that such prayers, so inspired, if 
they were committed to writing, would form as good cano- 
nical Scripture as any is in St. Paul's Epistles : the impu- 
dence of which pretension is sufficient to prove the extreme 
vanity of the challenge ^." 

*' But," (he goes on to argue,) having thus shown that the 
gift of praying by the Spirit, whatever it means, may, like all 
other spiritual gifts, be acquired by human industry, — '* Let us 
take a man that pretends he hath the gift of prayer, and loves 
to pray extempore. I suppose his thoughts go a little before 
his tongue. I demand, then, whether cannot this man, when 
it is once come into his head, hold his tongue, and write 
down what he hath conceived ? If his first conceptions 
were of God and God's Spirit, then they are so still, even 
when they are written. Or, is the Spirit departed from him 
at the sight of a pen and inkhorn ? It did use to be other- 
wise among the old and new prophets, wliether they were 
prophets of prediction or of ordinary ministry. But, if his 
conception may be written, and, being thus written, is still 
a production of the Spirit, then it follows that set forms of 
prayer, deliberate and prescribed, may as well be a praying 
with the Spirit as sudden forms and extempore outlets." — 
" So that, in effect, since, after the pretended assistance of 
the Spirit in our prayers, we may write tliem down, consider 
them, try the Spirits, and ponder the matter, the reason, and 
the religion of the address; let the world judge whether this 
sudden utterance and extempore forms be any thing else 
but a direct resolution not to consider beforehand what we 
speak \" 

He then examines, with the same clearsighted discri- 
mination, the difterent meanings in which we may under- 
stand the scriptural expression of " praying by the Spirit;" 
which he defines to be, " first, when the Spirit stirs up our 
desires to pray, per motionem actiialis auxilii ; or, secondly, 

s Apology, sect. 32, p. 333. ^ Ibid. sect. 34, 35. pp. 335, 33G. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 197 

when the Spirit teaches us what or how to pray, telhng 
us the matter and manner of our prayers ; thirdly and histly, 
dictating the very words of our prayers. Tliere is no other 
way in the world to pray with the Spirit that is pertinent to 
this question ; and of this last manner the Scripture deter- 
mines nothing, nor speaks any thing expressly of it. And 
yet, suppose it had, we are certain the Holy Ghost hath 
supplied us with all these, and yet in set forms of prayer 
best of all ; I mean, where a difference can be. 

" For, first : As for the desires and actual motions 
or incitements to pray, they are indifferent to one or the 
other, to set forms or extempore. 

" Secondly : But as to the matter or manner of prayer, 
it is clearly contained in the expresses and set forms of 
Scripture ; and there it is supplied to us by the Spirit, for he 
is the great dictator of it. 

" Thirdly : Now, then, for the very words. No man 
can assure me that the words of his extempore prayer are 
the words of the Holy Spirit. It is neither reason nor 
modesty to expect such immediate assistances to so little 
purpose, he having supplied us with abilities more than 
enough to express our desires, aliunde, otherwise than by 
immediate dictate. But, if we will take David's Psalter, or 
the other hymns of Holy Scripture, or any of the prayers 
which are respersed over the Bible, we are sure enough 
that they are the words of God's Spirit, mediately or im- 
mediately, by way of infusion or ecstacy, by vision, or, at 
least, by ordinary assistance. And now then, what greater 
confidence can any man have for the excellency of his 
prayers, and the probability of their being accepted, than 
when he prays his Psalter, or the Lord's Prayer, or any other 
office which he finds consigned in Scripture ? When God's 
Spirit stirs us up to an actual devotion, and then we use 
the matter he hath described and taught, and the very words 
which Christ, and Christ's Spirit, and the apostles and other 
persons full of the Holy Ghost did use ; if, in the world, 
there be any praying with the Spirit, (I mean, in vocal 
prayer,) this is it'." 

In replying to the second objection, which admits of 

' Apol. sect. 47, 48, 49, p. 343. 



198 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

premeditation, but attacks the restriction of all men to a 
sinp-le form, he admits, in the first place, that " the gift or 
ability of prayer given to the church is used either in public 
or private, and that which is fit enough for one is incon- 
venient in the other ; and, although a liberty in private may 
be for edification of good people, when it is piously and 
discreetly used, yet, in the public, if it were indifierently 
permitted, it would bring infinite inconvenience, and become 
intolerable." Then, after some intermediate observations, 
evincing a profound acquaintance with the human heart, 
and a large personal experience of those seraphic ardours of 
devotion which, in private, *' may descend, like an anointing 
from above, and which are not to be restrained within the 
margent of prescribed forms,'' he urges that such a spirit 
may nevertheless keep silence in the church, and speak unto 
himself and unto God;" and that, "though public forms 
cannot be fitted to every man's fancy and affections," — 
" yet they may be fitted to all necessities, and to every man's 
duty." That, even if every minister were permitted to pray 
his own forms, his form could not comply with the great 
variety of affections which are amongst his auditors : though 
it might hit casually, and by accident be commensurate to 
the present fancy of some of his congregation, with which, 
at that time, possibly the public form would not. " This may 
be thus, and it may be otherwise ; and, at the same time in 
which some feel a greater gust and relish in his prayer, 
others might feel a greater sweetness in recitation of the 
public forms. This thing is so by chance, so singular 
and uncertain, that no wise man, nor no providence less 
than Divine, can make any provision for it ''." 

After all, he urges, it is nothing but the fantastic and 
the imaginative part that is pleased ; and when men, out 
of fancy, prejudice, or passion, are not edified by that 
which, in itself, is good, wholesome, and apt to edify, more 
particularly when this is prepared by those men who, in all 
reason, are to be supposed to have received from God all 
those assistances which are effects of the " spirit of govern- 
ment," — " the way to cure the inconvenience is to alter 
the men, not to change the institution." 

^ Apol. srct. 01—02. pp. 344, 350. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYI.OK, D.D. 199 

Having thus cleared up the question of edification, he 
proceeds to discuss the points of right and authority. He 
shows, that the power of appointing certain forms of prayer 
is, by a necessary analogy, to reside in the rulers of the 
church ; both as stewards of sacred things, and as, like the 
old prophets, bound to pray for the people, and to provide 
that so solemn a duty as public prayer be performed without 
disorder or scandal. 

And, as the Presbyterians were agreed with him, that the 
ministers, and not the people, were to prescribe the words of 
the prayer in which all should join, he goes on to urge, that 
the church, in general, might more fitly execute this office 
for all, than every single minister for his congregation : 
inasmuch as, whatever promises of spiritual assistance are 
made to individual believers, are more fully and definitely 
accorded to the church at large ; and, since the church 
at large, in her collective and corporate capacity, can only 
exercise whatever spirit of prayer she may possess in limited 
and determined forms, no private minister can expect to 
pray better than a council ; few are so confident in them- 
selves as to say, that they can do it as well ; and *' quod 
spectat ad omnes, ab omnibus tractari debet." 

He proceeds to show, by the precedents of all former, 
the form of benediction prescribed by God to Moses j the 
psalms employed in the service of the Temple ; the example 
of John the Baptist, and of Christ himself, that some set 
forms of prayer were of inspired and Divine authority. He 
proves the injunction of Christ to extend to the form of 
words as well as to the purport of the petitions ^ ; and ob- 
serves, " that if ever any prayer was, or could be, a part 
of that doctrine of faith by which we received the Spirit, it 
must needs be this prayer, which was the only form our 
blessed Master taught the Christian church." 

The practice of the ancient church, both in prayers 
and hymns, restricting both to set forms, and permitting 
such forms only to be introduced by persons in authority, he 
next establishes and comments on. He instances some of 
the advantages of a w ell-constructed liturgy, in conveying 
truths to the heart as well as the understanding of the 

' Apol. sect. I'l — 7''- PP' '^'"jH, 358. 



200 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

assistants ; in preserving concord and catholic communion ; 
and in restraining the conceit and curiosity of individual 
ministers of religion, whose devotion may be spoiled by the 
same applauses which encourage and augment their fluency. 
" But these things/' he observes with characteristic mode- 
ration and gentleness, " are accidental to the nature of the 
thing ; and, therefore, though they are too certainly conse- 
quent to the person, yet I will not be too severe, but pre- 
serve myself on the surer side of a charitable construction ; 
which, truly, I desire to keep not only to their persons, 
whom I much reverence, but also to their actions. But yet 
I durst not do the same thing even for these last reasons, 
though I had no other"'." 

The objection, that individual ministers may as well 
be left to the composition of their own prayers as their own 
sermons, he answers by pointing out the many points of 
difference which exist between the two things ; the greater 
necessity that the people should agree with what they join 
in than vv^hat they hear ; the greater reverence required in an 
immediate address to the Most High ; the greater variety 
and latitude in a theological argument than in a prayer ; and 
the fact, that many persons preach, whom, even in the 
opinion of the divines of Westminster themselves, it might 
be as well to restrain from that liberty. 

The following passage may lead us to suspect that the 
Presbyterian clergy of those days had not yet usually begun 
the practice, which is now almost universal amongst them, 
of preaching extempore, or what passes as such. ** Yet, 
methinks, the argument objected, so far as the extempore 
men make use of it, if it were turned with the edge the 
other way, would have more reason in it ; and, instead of 
arguing, * Why should not the same liberty be allowed 
to their spirit in praying as in preaching ? ' it were better to 
substitute this : * If they can pray with the Spirit, why 
do they not also preach with the Spirit?'" — "Let them 
make demonstration of their spirit by making excellent 
sermons extempore : that it may become an experi- 
ment of their other faculty, that, after they are tried and 
approved in this, they may be considered for the other : 

'" Apol, sect. 114. p. 379. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 201 

and, if praying with the Spirit be praying extempore, why 
shall they not preach extempore too, or else confess they 
preach without the Spirit, or that they have not the gift 
of preaching"?" 

He concludes by observing, that there is no promise 
in Scripture, that he who prays extempore shall be heard 
the better, or assisted at all to such purposes ; that this way 
of prayer is without precedent in antiquity or warrant in Scrip- 
ture ; that it is unreasonable, because without deliberation ; 
innovating, because without authority : detracting from our 
first reformers, and encouraging to the cavils of the Church 
of Rome ; favourable to the introduction of heresy, and 
dangerous to the right administration of the sacraments 
themselves. *' He," he proceeds, *' that considers all these 
things, (and many more he may consider,) will find that 
particular men are not fit to be intrusted to offer in public, 
with their private spirit, to God, for the people, in such 
solemnities, in matters of so great concernment ; where the 
honour of God, the benefit of the people, the interest of 
kingdoms, the being of a church, the unity of minds, 
the conformity of practice, the truth of persuasion, and the 
salvation of souls, are so much concerned as they are in the 
public prayers of a whole national church. An unlearned 
man is not to be trusted, and a wise man dare not trust 
himself; he that is ignorant cannot, he that is knowing will 
not^" 

We are now arrived at the *' Liberty of Prophesying," 
introduced by an Epistle to Lord Hatton ; from which some 
passages have been already quoted, and in which he justifies 
himself from the charge of a latitudinarian indifierence to all 
religions, and recommends to the champions of the faith the 
use of no other weapons than those which suit the Christian 
warfare : such as ** preaching and disputation, (so that 
neither of them breed disturbance,) charity and sweetness, 
holiness of life, assiduity of exhortation, the word of God, 
and prayer." 

" For these ways," he continues, *' are most natural, 
most prudent, most peaceable and effectual. Only, let not 
men be hasty in calling every disliked opinion by the name 

" Apol. sect. 34. p. 385. " Ibid. sect. I U. i'. 31)0. 



202 LIFE OF JERtMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

of heresy ; and, when they have resolved that they will call 
it so, let them use the erring person like a brother, not beat 
him like a dog, nor convince him with a gibbet, or vex him 
out of his vmderstanding and persuasions." 

As a still further means of obtaining a patient hearing 
to his arguments, he gives a very short but very learned 
and curious sketch of the opinions and practice of the 
Christian church as to the question of toleration : in which 
he shows that persecution was a practice unheard of among 
Christians till the church became worldly and corrupted ; 
that it was first used by the Arians and other heretics ; and 
that, when the orthodox began to retaliate, they were con- 
demned for so doing by all the best and wisest of the 
fathers. He proves, how comparatively recent, in the 
Western church, has been the rise of religious persecution ; 
and that, though the Roman pontiffs showed themselves 
more encroaching and oppressive than any other prelates, 
yet no capital punishments were inflicted for heresy till 
the persecution of the Albigenses at the instigation of the 
ferocious Dominic. In England more particularly, (he ob- 
serves,) though the power of the Pope was no where greater 
than here, yet there were no executions for matters of opinion, 
till Henry the Fourth, having usurped the crown, endeavoured, 
by these bloody sacrifices, to conciliate the priesthood. 

All those Christian sovereions, he uroes, who have 
received from succeeding ages the praise of eminent virtue 
and wisdom, have been favourable to religious toleration. 
The blessing of Providence appears, in an especial manner, 
to have been bestowed on all governments by which it 
has been maintained ; and he gives some remarkable 
examples of a contrary policy being chastised by foreign 
invasions, by civil calamities, and by a decay of internal 
prosperity and national power. 

He concludes with expressing his wonder, (though with- 
out denying the real guilt and danger of heresy,) that men 
should show so much zeal against false opinions, and so little 
against vicious practices : and that, while thus curiously 
busy about points of less importance, " they should neglect 
those glorious precepts of Christianity and holy life which 
are the glories of our religion, and would enable us to a 
blessed eternity." 



I 



LIFK OF JERE-MY TAYLOR, U.D. 203 

The essay for which he thus endeavours to conciliate a 
favourable reception, is somewhat less extensive in its 
object than many have been led to believe, and can by no 
means lay claim to the character which has been assigned 
to it, of a plea for universal toleration. The forbearance 
which he claims, he claims for those Christians only who 
unite in the confession of the apostles' creed. Of those 
sects who refuse their assent to this symbol, (as, indeed, 
there were none then in existence,) he says absolutely 
nothing ; and the exceptions w hicli he makes to his pro- 
posed act of peace, in the thirteenth section, must, in effect, 
exclude from its benefit a very large proportion of those 
w'ho profess religions hostile to Christianity. It is pro- 
bable, indeed, that, considering the prejudices with which 
he had to contend, he w^as not anxious to follow^ up his 
own principles to the full extent to which they conducted, 
and that, in his earnestness to remedy the mutual bitterness 
of Christian sects, he purposely avoided treating of a case 
which had not yet arisen, or pleading the cause of those 
who were in no present or apparent danger of incurring the 
weio;ht of relio^ious violence. 

If, however, he in this respect has taken a view of his 
subject narrower than he is often supposed to have done, 
in another respect he extends his principles considerably 
beyond the limit of a bare abstinence from persecution. 
He would not only dissuade us from killing or imprisoning 
our brethren, he would have us unite with them in com- 
munion, and he appears to have flattered himself with the 
hope that the greatest diversity of opinions, on topics not 
absolutely essential, might be made to consist not only 
with general charity but with complete church-union, by 
the mere non-interference of authority, and by a permis- 
sion to all Christians to think and preach on such points 
according to their consciences. It is the authoritative 
decision, according to him, which, in such differences, 
occasions the schism ; and he appeals to the experience of 
Christendom for the fact that there are some points of the 
greatest practical importance, on which the greatest dif- 
ference of opinion exists, which yet, because men are 
permitted to differ respecting them, have led to none of 
those divisions and heart-burnings v/hich liave arisen from 
disputes of far less moment. '" It is of greater consc- 



204 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

quence," he urges, " to believe right in the question of the 
vaHdity or invalidity of a death-bed repentance, than to 
believe aught in the question of purgatory ; and the conse- 
quences of the doctrine of predetermination are of deeper 
and more material consideration than the products of the 
belief of the lawfulness or unlawfulness of private masses ; 
and yet these great concernments, where a liberty of pro- 
phesying in these questions hath been permitted, hath 
made no distinct communion, no sects of Christians, and the 
others have, and so have these too in those places where 
they have peremptorily been determined on either side." 

" For," he shortly afterwards more fully explains 
himself, " if it be evinced that one heaven shall hold men 
of differing opinions, — if the unity of faith be not destroyed 
by that which men call differing religions, and if an unity 
of Christian charity be the duty of us all, even towards 
persons that are not persuaded of every proposition we 
believe, then I would fain know to what purpose are all 
those stirs and great noises in Christendom ; those names 
of faction, the several names of churches not distinguished 
by the division of kingdoms, ut ecclesia seqiiatiir i?npe?ri(7?i, 
which was the primitive rule and canon, but distinguished 
by names of sects and men ? These are all become instru- 
ments of hatred, thence come schisms and parting of com- 
munions, and then persecutions, and then wars and rebel- 
lion, and then the dissolutions of all friendships and 
societies. All these mischiefs proceed, not from this, that 
men are not of one mind, (for that is neither necessary nor 
possible,) but that every opinion is made an article of faith, 
every article is the ground of a quarrel, every quarrel makes 
a faction, every faction is zealous, and all zeal pretends for 
God, and whatever is for God cannot be too much. We by 
this time are come to that pass, we think we love not God 
except we hate our brother, and we have not the virtue of 
religion unless we persecute all religions but our own ; for 
lukewarmness is so odious to God and man, tliat we, pro- 
ceeding furiously upon these mistakes, by supposing we 
preserve the body we destroy the soul of religion, or by 
being zealous for faith, or, which is all one, for that which 
we mistake for faith, we are cold in charity, and so lose 
the reward of both p." 

, 1' Lib. Proph. Introduction, ^ ol. Aii. p. 440. 



LIFE OF. JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 205 

In pursuit of this great scheme of general union, he 
begins by proving that *' the duty of faith is completed in 
believing the articles of the apostles' creed," the com- 
position of which, (with the exception of the article of 
Christ's descent into hell,) he ascribes to the apostles them- 
selves, or to apostolical men in the first ages of Christianity, 
and which, as it contains nothing superfluous or which does 
not relate to those truths '' which directly constitute the 
parts and work of our redemption," so must it have been 
necessarily esteemed sufficiently minute by its composers, 
and by that primitive church which adopted it as " the 
characteristic note of a Christian from a heretic, or a Jew, 
or an infidel." He admits, indeed, that it is neither unlawful 
nor unsafe for any of the rulers of the church, or any other 
competent judge, to extend his own creed to any further pro- 
positions which he may deduce from any of the articles of 
the apostles' creed. But he denies that any such deduction 
or exposition (unless it be such a thing as is at first evident 
to all), is fit to be pressed on others as an article of faith, or 
can *' bind a person of a differing persuasion to subscribe 
under pain of losing his faith or being a heretic." '"For," 
he urges, ** it is a demonstration that nothing can be neces- 
sary to be believed under pain of damnation, but such 
propositions of which it is certain that God hath spoken 
and taught them to us, and of which it is certain that this 
is their sense and purpose. For, if the sense be uncertain, 
.we can no more be obliged to beheve it in a certain sense, 
than we are to believe it at all, if it were not certain that 
God delivered it. But, if it be only certain that God spake 
it, and not certain to what sense, our faith of it is to be as 
indeterminate as its sense, and it can be no other in the 
nature of the thing, nor is it consonant to God's justice to 
believe of him that he can or will require more." And he 
concludes the section with a quotation from Tertullian, that, 
if the integrity and unity of this rule of faith be preserved, 
*' in all other things men may take a liberty of enlarging 
their knowledges and prophesyings, according as they are 
assisted by the grace of God "i." 

This position he illustrates and enforces in the following 
sections: — 1st; by the moderation shown in the j)rimitive 

'I Ubi supra, p. 455. 



20G LIFK or JI.HK.MY TAYLOR, D.l>. 

church to such erroneous opinions as related not immediately 
to the fundamentals of Christianity ; and were maintained 
by their professors in sincerity and piety: — 2nd; from the 
utter impossibility of obtaining any certain and universal 
rule of faith which shall be more definite and minute than 
the apostles' creed, either from Scripture, tradition, the 
decisions of councils, the dicta of the ancient fathers, the 
authority of the Pope, or the opinion of the church universal. 
He thus arrives at the conclusion, that no man or body of 
men being competent to judge for others in matters of faith, 
every man must judge for himself, and according to the 
dictates of his own reason, either by choosing what guides 
or teachers he will follow, (which he admits in some cases to 
be the wisest and in all the easiest course,) or by choosing 
for himself his opinions in detail, and following his guides 
no further than his reason agrees with their dictation. That 
such a course is liable to error, he admits ; but he contends 
that such error, whether arising from confusion of under- 
standing or honest prejudice, or any cause but such wicked 
and interested notions as cannot sway a pious person, is, in 
a pious person, innocent before God ; " who is so pitiful 
to our crimes that he pardons many de toto et integro, 
in all makes abatement for the violence of temptation 
and the surprisal and invasion of our faculties, and there- 
fore much less will demand of us an account of our weak- 
nesses." 

Having reached this point in his argument, he proceeds, 
by a natural transition, to show the folly and wickedness 
of punishing, by death or other severities, the exercise of 
that choice which he has shown to be in itself legitimate ; 
a folly and wickedness which he further illustrates by the 
danger which exists that the same weapon which is em- 
ployed to extripate error, may, in some instances, be turned 
to the injury of truth ; by the inefficacy of force in matters 
of opinion ; by the manner in which a resort to such mea- 
sures derogates from the honour of the Christian religion, 
and by the fact that God alone has power over the soul of 
man, " so as to command a persuasion or to judge a disagree- 
ino\" He shows more at length than in his Dedication, how 
strongly the stream of precedent and ecclesiastical antiquity 
sets against persecution ; and defines with admirable ac- 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 207 

curacy and clearness the limit and nature of ecclesiaslical 
censure, and the single species of severity (excommunication), 
which, even in cases of the most notorious heresy, the 
church has the power of exercising. 

But even this mild and moderate and altogether spiritual 
jurisdiction, can only, he repeats, be exercised to remedy 
practical inconveniences, or to reprove such opinions as, by 
the rules which he had previously laid down, are formal 
heresies. ** The peace of the church and the unity of her 
doctrine is best conserved when it is judged by the proportion 
it hath to that rule of unity which the apostles gave, that is, 
the creed, for the articles of mere belief, and the precepts of 
Jesus Christ and the practical rules of piety, which are most 
plain and easy, and without controversy, set down in the 
Gospels and writings of the apostles. But to multiply 
articles, and adopt them into the family of the faith, and to 
require assent to such articles which (as St. Paul's phrase 
is) are doubtful of disputation, equal to the assent which 
we give to matters of faith, is to build a tower upon the top 
of a bulrush ; and the further the effect of such proceedings 
does extend, the worse they are. The very making such 
a law is unreasonable. The inflicting spiritual censures 
upon them that cannot do so much violence to their under- 
standing as to obey it, is unjust and ineffectual ; but to 
punish the person with death, or with corporeal infliction, 
indeed it is effectual, but it is, therefore, tyrannical." 

Having thus limited the ecclesiastical authority in 
matters of religion, the author proceeds to the secular 
governor, whom he shows to be bound in conscience to 
tolerate all religious opinions, because an opinion is in no 
point of view subject to his jurisdiction; and to be bound 
no less, both in conscience and policy, to suffer men to teach 
and profess any system of Christianity which they them- 
selves believe, so long as the public peace is not broken nor 
endangered, either by the evident tendency of the doctrines 
themselves, or the manner in which their supporters 
endeavour to disseminate them. And he cautions him with 
much earnestness, before he has recourse to any measures of 
severity, not to *' call every redargution or modest discovery 
of established error by the name of disturbance of the 
peace;" not to be himself the first to break the peace by 
peevishness and impatience of contradiction ; to remember 



208 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

always the gentle spirit of Christianity and the natural 
claim which all men have to liberty of conscience : and to 
remember, above all, the saying of Thuanus, " Hccretlci qui, 
pace data,faciio)nbus schidiintiir , persecutione wiiuntur contra 
regem." 

" The sum," he concludes this section by observing, " is 
this. It concerns the duty of a prince, because it concerns 
the honour of God, that all vices and every part of ill 
life be discountenanced and restrained ; and, therefore, in 
relation to that, opinions are to be dealt with. For the 
understanding being to direct the will, and opinions to guide 
our practices, they are considerable only as they teach 
impiety and vice, as they either dishonour God or disobey 
him. Now all such doctrines are to be condemned ; but, 
for the persons preaching such doctrines, if they neither 
justify nor approve the pretended consequences which are 
certainly impious, they are to be separated from that con- 
sideration. But, if they know such consequences and allow 
them, or if they do not stay till the doctrines produce 
impiety, but take sin beforehand, and manage them impiously 
in any sense; or if either themselves or their doctrines do, 
really and without colour or feigned pretext, disturb the 
public peace and just interests, they are not to be suftered. 
In all other cases it is not only lawful to permit them, but 
it is also necessary that princes and all in authority should 
not persecute discrepant opinions. And, in such cases 
wherein persons not otherwise incompetent are bound to 
reprove an error, (as they are in many,) in all these, if the 
prince makes restraint, he hinders men from doing their 
duty, and from obeying the laws of Jesus Christ ^" 

The following sections are taken up with the practical 
application of these principles to the then prevailing dis- 
sensions among Christians, with an ingenious and candid 
apology for the errors of the two sects who were, in Taylor's 
time, most obnoxious, the Anabaptists and the Papists, and 
with a brief conclusion that churches ought to allow com- 
munion to all who agree with them in essentials, and that 
it is the duty of private Christians to communicate with the 
national church where that church requires no unlawful 
conditions of communion. From this he takes occasion 

' Lib. Proph. sect. IG. vol. viii. p. 144. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 209 

again to remark on the danger and impropriety of driving 

men into schism by multiplying syml)ols and subscriptions, 

and contracting the bounds of communion, and the still 

greater wickedness of regarding all discrepant opinions as 

damnable in the life to come, and, in the present, capital. 

"It concerns all persons to see that they do their best to 

find out truth, and, if they do, it is certain that, let the error 

be never so damnable, they shall escape the error, or the 

misery of being damned for it. And, if God will not be 

angry at men for being invincibly deceived, why should men 

be angry one at another ? For he that is most displeased at 

another man's error may also be tempted in his own will, 

and as much deceived in his understanding. For, if he may 

fail in what he can choose, he may also fail in what he 

cannot choose ; his understanding is no more secured than 

his will, nor his faith more than his obedience. It is his own 

fault if he offends God in either ; but whatsoever is not to 

be avoided, as errors, which are incident sometimes even 

to the best and most inquisitive of men, are not offences 

against God, and therefore not to be punished or restrained 

by men ; but all such opinions in which the public interests 

of the commonwealth, and the foundation of faith and a 

good life, are not concerned, are to be permitted freely. 

Quisque ahiindet in sensu suo, was the doctrine of St. Paul, 

and that his argument and conclusion too : and they were 

excellent words which St. Ambrose said in attestation of 

this great truth. Nee imperiale est, Ubertatem dicendl negare, 

nee sacerdotcde id quod sentias non dicereJ" 

He concludes his treatise with the celebrated story of 
Abraham and tlie idolatrous traveller, which Franklin, with 
some little variation, gave to Lord Kaimes as a '' Jewish 
Parable on Persecution," and which this last-named author 
published in his " Sketches of the History of Man." A 
charge of plagiarism has, on this account, been raised against 
Franklin ; though he cannot be proved to have given it to 
Lord Kaimes as his own composition, or under any other 
character than that in which Taylor had previously published 
it ; that, namely, of an elegant fable by an uncertain author 
which had accidentally fallen under his notice. It is even 
possible, as has been observed by a writer in the Edinburgh 

p 



210 LIFE Of JKHKMV TAYLOR, D.D. 

Review ', that he may have met with it in some magazine 
without Taylor's name. But it has been unfortunate for 
him, that his correspondent evidently appears to have 
regarded it as his composition ; that it has been published 
as such in all the editions of Franklin's collected works ; 
and that, wdth all Franklin's abilities and amiable qualities, 
there was a degree of quackery in his character which, 
in this instance, as well as in that of his professional epitaph 
on himself, has made the imputation of such a theft more 
readily received against him, than it would have been against 
most other men of equal eminence. 

Whether Taylor himself really found this story where he 
professes to have done it, has been long a matter of suspicion. 
Contrary to his general custom, he gives no reference to his 
authority in the margin ; and, as the works of the most 
celebrated Rabbins had been searched for the passage in vain, 
it has been supposed that he had ascribed to these authors a 
story of his own invention, in order to introduce with a 
better grace an apt illustration of his moral. My learned 
friend Mr. Oxlee, whose intimate and extensive acquaintance 
with Talmudic and Cabalistic learning is inferior to few 
of the most renowned Jewish doctors themselves, has, at 
length, discovered the probable source from which Taylor may 
have taken this beautiful apologue, in the Epistle Dedicatory 
prefixed to the translation of a Jewish work by George 
Gentius, who quotes it, however, not from a Hebrew writer, 
but from the Persian poet Saadi. The story is, in fact, 
found, word for word, in the Bostan of this last writer, as 
appears by a literal translation which I have received from 
the kindness of Lord Teignmouth. The w^ork of Gentius 
appeared in 1651, a circumstance which accounts for the 
fact that the parable is introduced in the second, not the first 
edition of the " Liberty of Prophesying." That Taylor ascribes 
it to " the Jews' books," may be accounted for from his 
quoting at second-hand, and from the nature of the work 
where he found it ^ 

On a work so rich in intellect, so renowned for charity ; 
which contending sects have rivalled each other in 

' Edinburgh Review, Sept. 1816. *■ Note (XX). 



LIFE OF JKRK.MV TAVFOU, D.D. 211 

approving, and which was the first, perhaps, since the 
earliest days of Christianity, to teach those among- whom 
differences were inevitable, the art of difiering harmlessly, 
it would be almost impertinent to enlarge in commendation. 
A more useful, though by far more difficult task, will be to 
discriminate between these general excellencies, and those 
points in which the author may be thought to have extended 
his principles too far, or to have fallen short, in his con- 
clusions, of that universal charity to which his principles 
naturally conducted him. 

The leading position of his discourse, as it relates to the 
terms of communion, or those articles, a faith in which is 
sufficient to entitle us when alive to the sacraments of the 
church, and, in another world, to the mercies of our 
Redeemer, he may be said to have incontestably established ; 
and by so doing to have lent a full confirmation to the 
principles and practice of the church of England, who, 
neither in baptism nor in the Lord's supper, requires more 
from any of her members than a confession of the apostles' 
creed, and a promise to keep God's commandments. But, 
the question becomes much more difficult, if, as Taylor 
seems to have meant, and as is implied in the very title of 
his discourse, we extend this same principle to the admission 
of persons into the public ministry. That office, as it cannot 
be exercised by all, in its very nature supposes a selection 
of some and rejection of others ; and it is not only natural 
but allowable, and, generally speaking, a duty in the 
selectors, to fix on such persons as, being otherwise pro- 
perly qualified, entertain not only on the essentials of 
religion, but on its important and practical, though possibly 
its subordinate features, what the Antistifes Reiig{o?iis 
themselves conceive to be the true opinion. Where a 
limited number only is to be admitted, this preference given 
to some need be considered as no reflection either on the, 
morals or the Christianity of the rest. A man may be fit 
for heaven himself, whom we do not reckon lit for the office 
of guiding others thither by his public doctrine ; and, whether 
this unfitness arise from defective abilities, defective temper, 
defective learning, or erroneous opinions, — there is no 
necessary oppression or intolerance in requesting him to 
keep silence in the church, or forbidding him to disturb the 



21^ LIFE OF JEREMY TAY^LOll, 1>.D. 

weak, and encourage the factious, by the circulation of tenets- 
at which the majority of his brethren are offended. 

It is by no means enough to object to such a Une of pro- 
cedure, that the points on which we require conformity in 
our candidates for orders, are such as the apostles and their 
immediate successors passed over in silence. If it could be 
proved, (which it cannot,) that a confession of the symbol 
known by their name was all which the apostles required 
in their deacons and presbyters, it would not follow but that, 
as false doctrines arose in the church, it might become 
necessary to guard against their dissemination. But in the 
instance which he mentions of the question which arose con- 
cerning circumcision, he appears to have misunderstood the 
sacred writers, and the obvious purport of that sentence which 
was given in the council of Jerusalem. The point to be 
determined on that occasion was, not whether the Christians 
of the Jeivish nation were to cease from circumcising their 
children, or from the observation of the ceremonial laws of 
Moses. There is no reason from Scripture to suppose that 
such a change as this was, in the first instance, contemplated 
by either party. The uniform practice, both of the apostles 
themselves and their immediate followers, had been, and was, 
through life, to '* walk orderly and keep the law " ;" and, 
however they may have held out to both Jews and Gentiles the 
fact that the " curse of the law was removed," and that the 
religious obligation to observe the Mosaic types had expired 
when those types were fulfilled, they seem to have been 
anxious not to press the abandonment of customs which, in 
themselves, were innocent, and, from their antiquity and 
divine appointment, venerable ; but to leave the abolition of 
such unnecessary badges of distinction to the hand of time, 
and to the changes introduced by Providence. Accordingly, 
the sentence which St. Peter proposed, and which St. 
James, by the common consent of the apostles, promulgated, 
was, that the Gentiles should not be compelled to circum- 
cise their children, not that the Jews should be restrained 
from doing so" ;" and the several bishops of the Jewish na- 
tion, who successively presided over the church of Jeru- 
salem, till the time of Adrian, in retaining the practice 

" Acts, xxi. 2-1. ^ Acts, XV. 10, 20. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 213 

of circumcision, did no more than exercise a discretion 
which the apostles had exercised before them, and which 
the Holy Ghost had no where forbidden. 

It is no wonder, then, that those Jewish Christians who 
adhered to the customs of their fathers, were, notwithstand- 
ing this distinction, accounted a sound and orthodox part 
of the Catholic church. The wonder would have been, had 
they received a different treatment. But a very different 
treatment those persons did receive who, not content with 
retaining the yoke of the law themselves, sought also to 
impose it on the Gentile converts. The most careless reader 
of St. Paul's Epistles must observe this distinction ; and 
that of such teachers he himself expressly says, that " their 
mouths must be stopped y." But, if a Christian teacher 
may be silenced by authority for promulgating a doctrine 
which, as Taylor himself would have admitted, is not ex- 
pressly contradicted in the apostles' creed, nor manifestly 
contrary to good morals ; a fortiori, a candidate for the 
office of teacher may be repelled if he avows that doctrine. 
So that we have here a death-blow given to that entire and 
unrestrained liberty of prophesying which Taylor seems to 
call for, and the question of what doctrine shall be pub- 
licly taught in the church devolves again on those ecclesi- 
astical rulers, to whom is subject the spirit, not of preaching 
only, but of prophecy ^." 

But if, in such cases, a further rule is allowed besides the 
apostles' creed and its self-evident consequences, the question 
will arise, by whom that rule is to be settled. Shall each 
individual bishop, each separate presbytery, have a rule of 
their own, and, according to their several views of Christian 
truth and of doctrines essentially necessary or otherwise, repel 
the candidate and silence the preacher ? Or, would not this 
give rise to an uncertainty and variation of the test required, 
far more oppressive to those subject to it, and far more 
injurious to the general peace and edification of the church, 
than any thing which subsists in Christian churches as 
they are now constituted ? And is it not far better to act as 
all Christian churches have acted, in giving to the world, 
beforehand, a public and general exposition of the leading 

7 Titus, i. 2. '1 Coi- xiv. 32. 



214 LIFE OF JEllKMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

doctrines ^v hich they profess to teach ; with which they re- 
quire a conformity in those who seek for admission to the 
office of public instructor ; and which shall neither be added 
to by the meddling preciseness, or detracted from by the 
injudicious laxity of any single ecclesiastical governor ? 

That there is, in all such confessions, a danger, and a 
great one, (since what human institution is exempt from 
abuse ?) of attempting to define what God's Spirit has left 
undetermined, and of laying an equal stress on the essentials 
and circumstantials of Christianity, is what the advocate of 
tests is by no means called on to deny. But that is no sound 
logic which reasons from the abuse of a thing against its 
temperate use ; and the evil, where it exists, is a question of 
detail, not of principle, and to be remedied, not by an aboli- 
tion of tests in general, but by a reformation of the par- 
ticular test complained of. And, to promote such reforma- 
tion, and to escape such dangers, no considerations can be 
better adapted than those which Taylor has himself sug- 
gested at the beginning of his concluding section. 

It is, how^ever, necessary to observe, that the power 
which is here claimed for each Christian church, of exclud- 
ing from its public ministry the teachers of erroneous doc- 
trines, is claimed for the church only in its spiritual capa- 
city, and that it has no reference to those who are without 
its pale, and involves in itself no civil pains or penalties 
whatever. Such penalties, it cannot be too constantly borne 
in mind, the church of Him, whose kingdom was not of this 
world, has no power or title to inflict ; and for the civil ruler 
to inflict them on religious grounds, Taylor has clearly 
shown to be at once an intrusion, a tyranny, and an absur- 
dity. 

If, indeed, Taylor may be thought, in his zeal for the 
liberty of prophesying, to have made it too completely inde- 
pendent of ecclesiastical control, he may be said, on the 
other hand, to have been too bounded and cautious in his 
views of civil toleration, when he gives a general power 
to the civil ruler to repress or punish whatever he may 
be taught to consider as blasphemy, or open idolatry^. 

The first of these crimes, if not very accurately defined, 

* Sort. xiii. 1, 2, vol. Aiii. p. 11 7. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 215 

might involve within its net very many descriptions of per- 
sons whom Taylor w^ould have been sorry to behold the 
victims of religious severities. The Deist and the Jew, who 
maintain Christ to be an impostor, unquestionably blaspheme 
the Divine Teacher of Christians ; the modern Unitarian, 
who maintains him to be a mere man of men, the Son of 
Joseph, as surely detracts from the dignity of that Person 
whom the majority of Christians adore, and, by departing 
from the apostles' creed, has completely excluded himself 
from its protection; and, if known idolatry may be re- 
pressed by violence, or punished by the sword, we justify 
at once all the odious severities of the Spaniards and the 
Portuguese towards their heathen subjects, if we do not 
involve in the same snare our fellow Christians of the Greek 
and Roman communions. 

It is probable, indeed, as none of these persons were, at 
that time, in any immediate danger of persecution, (since for 
the case of the Roman Catholics he afterwards provided, 
and the Socinians had not as yet advanced to their modern 
pit(?h of free thinking,) that Taylor was not anxious to pursue 
his own principles to an extent which might give offence to 
those whom he desired to conciliate. It is certain, that his 
aro-uments against punishing men for following the dictates 
of an erroneous conscience, as well as that which is taken 
from the dishonour done to Christianity, by supposing it 
to need any other defence than those weapons of argument 
and good life by which it subdued the world, are no less 
cogent against all persecution whatever, than against that 
which has for its subject the minor dissensions of Christen- 
dom. 

Nor is there any real weight in the difficulty which 
appears to have perplexed him, in what manner to reconcile 
the duty incumbent on every magistrate to repress all open 
acts of sin and impiety, with the toleration which the same 
magistrate may be called on to grant to the worshippers of 
idols, or to the assailant of Christianity. That difficulty arises 
from a misapprehension of the magistrate's power, whose 
office, as it is purely civil and secular, has no direct concern 
with the souls of men, and who is neither bound nor autho- 
rized to interfere between man and his Maker, or to take 
on himself the punishment of offisnces against God, except 



216 

where those offences disturb the temporal peace, or endanger 
the temporal property of the subject. 

Thus, as idolatry, abstractedly considered, is a crime 
against God, and not against man, it is a crime, the punish- 
ment of which God may be conceived to have reserved to 
himself, and which the secular prince is not called on to 
punish, or to repress any otherwise than by his own example, 
and by securing to his subjects the means of religious in- 
struction. Nor can the precedent of the Jewish law avail 
to lead us to a different conclusion ; since, that which might 
be expedient and necessary under the peculiar circumstances 
of their theocracy, is no example for us who live under dis- 
pensations entirely different ; and since, though God may be 
conceived, as He did in this instance, to delegate a part 
of his power to a particular magistrate, yet other magi- 
strates, who have no such express commission or direct 
command, would be guilty of usurpation no less than cruelty, 
if they presumed to determine on the conduct of " another 
man^s servant." 

But, if the particular species of idolatry complained 
of be attended with obscene or cruel rites ; or, if the public 
processions or ostentatious sacrifices of its votaries have 
an evident tendency to shock the feelings of the majority 
of their fellow-citizens, and disturb the public tranquillity, 
the magistrate is not only permitted, but obliged in conscience 
to punish or restrain them according to his power, and in 
such measure as the interests of the community under his 
charge may require. 

Thus the Persians did ill under Xerxes, in destroying 
the Grecian temples, because not only has a foreign power 
no right to interfere in the national religion of any state, but 
because the idolatry of Greece involved no practices, that 
we know of, inconsistent with the general peace of society. 
But the Roman senate did well, in repressing and punishing 
the Bacchanalians, because they had sufficient evidence of 
the debauchery and violence with which those infernal rites 
were celebrated. Nor is it useless to observe, that the pic- 
ture which is handed down to us of the open whoredom and 
human sacrifices with which the gods of the Canaanites 
were worshipped, would be, in itself, and without any divine 
injunction, a good reason w^hy Moses should have prohibited. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 217 

under the severest penalties, the practice among his own 
])eople of such forms of pollution and bloodshed. 

In like manner, though it would, indeed, be the height of 
wickedness and folly, to forbid the Hindoos, in their own 
country, to address their devotions to whatever idols, and in 
whatever form they pleased ; yet, if certain Hindoos, resident 
in London, were to institute a public procession in honour of 
Juggeniaut, it would be no persecution to command them 
to perform their acts of faith in private; while, if in the 
course of those acts any thing actually criminal took place, 
it would not be the less an offence aoainst the laws, and 
punishable by the hand of justice, however it might have 
arisen from the dictates of a real or pretended superstition. 
Nor, whatever religious prejudice might be pleaded, did our 
Indian government do wrong in forbidding the murder of 
female children, nor would it do wrong, (however a real or 
mistaken policy may forbid the measure,) in preventing the 
sacrifice of widows on the funeral piles of their husbands. 

The distinction which has been laid down as to actions, 
will apply with equal accuracy to doctrbies. Those which 
are immediately, or in their evident and avowed conse- 
quences, injurious to civil society, and those only, are fit 
subjects for suppression and punishment; and they are so, 
not because they are offences against God, but because they 
are dangerous to mankind. Thus, if a man maintains in 
argument the falsehood of the apostles' creed, he is, perhaps, 
a blasphemer, certainly an infidel or an heretic ; but his 
crime is not one w^hich it belonos to the mag-istrate to 
punish. But the man who persuades his neighbours to insur- 
rection, murder, incest, a promiscuous intercourse of the 
sexes, or the invasion of private property ; the preacher of 
atheism, who lays the axe to the root of all moral obligation, 
and the impugner of a future state of retribution, who 
deprives morality of its only effectual sanction, — such men as 
these, being common enemies to the peace of the world, 
are to be put down and repressed by whatever severities are 
necessary to abate the nuisance. With tliese exceptions, I 
know no limit to the toleration of speculative opinions. It 
is true, indeed, that the teacher of any opinion, false or true, 
who seeks to inflame in his cause the bad passions of the 
multitude; who violates the decency due even to established 



218 

error, and who assails not only the opinions but the cha- 
racters and motives of those opposed to him ; will, under all 
circumstances be deserving of general indignation, and, 
under particular circumstances, may be a proper subject 
of legal coercion. But this is as a breaker of the public 
peace, not as an enemy to that religion, which, as it is 
founded on argument alone, can, by argument alone, be 
legitimately or effectually defended. The length of this 
digression will, I trust, be pardoned, on account of the 
importance of the interests which its subject involves, and 
the necessity which there appeared of defining more clearly 
what Taylor had left uncertain. On the beauty of particular 
passages in the "Liberty of Prophesying," — on its general 
eloquence and clearness of reasoning, as well as on the 
admirable temper and moderation which throughout distin- 
guish it, any further observations are needless. 

*' The Doctrine of Repentance," or " Unum Necessarium," 
is introduced by two letters dedicatory; the first to lord Car- 
bery, the second, which also is the preface, inscribed to 
Duppa, bishop of Sarum, and Warner of Rochester, as well 
as to the general body of the English clergy. 

In the first of these he apologizes for his so constant 
recurrence to the inculcation of repentance, by the neces- 
sity which there was of counteracting the devices which men 
had found out to excuse themselves from this necessary 
labour. In the second, he describes his work as suggested 
by the many false principles and dangerous errors respecting 
a death-bed repentance, venial sins, and sins of infirmity; — 
contrition and attrition; — confession, penance, and absolu- 
tion, which (during his preparatory studies in order to his 
great undertaking on the '•' Rule of Conscience,") he had 
met with in the works of preceding casuists. "It was in 
vain," he tells us, " to dispute concerning a single case 
v/hether it were lawful or no, when, by the general dis- 
coursings of men, it might be permitted to live in states of 
sin without danger or reproof, as to the final event of souls. 
I thought it, therefore, necessary, by way of address and 
preparation to the publication of the particulars, that it 
should appear to be necessary for a man to live a holy life : 
and that it could be of concern to him to inquire into the 
very minutes of his conscience : for if it be no matter how 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 219 

men live, and if the hope of heaven can stand well with a 
wicked life, there is nothing in the world more imnecessary 
than to inquire after cases of conscience. And if it be suf- 
ficient for a man, at the last to cry out for pardon for having 
all his life-time neither regarded laws nor conscience, cer- 
tainly they have found out a better compendium of religion, 
and need not be troubled with a variety of rules and cautions 
of carefulness and a lasting holiness ; nor think concerning 
any action or state of life, whether it be lawful or not lawful ; 
for it is all one whether it be or no, since neither one nor the 
other will easily change the event of things." 

To illustrate his meaning more fully, he goes on to sup- 
pose a person in known habits of sin, fortifying himself 
against the rebukes of conscience by the topics of comfort 
usually suggested either by those who extenuate their per- 
sonal faults by ascribing them to the infirmity of nature, or 
by those who rely on the chance of a death-bed repentance, 
and on that " attrition," or terror of God's judgments against 
sin, which the approach of death and the clamours of con- 
science may reasonably be expected to generate. 

In this, in a tone of lofty sarcasm, he instances what he 
esteems the dangerous encouragements held out to sin by 
those who have been more careful of the sinner's ease than his 
soul ; and after a digression to which I shall hereafter have 
occasion to refer, he exhorts the clergy to employ the full 
influence of their prayers, their authority, and their wisdom, 
to effect " that the strictness of a holy life may be thought 
necessary, and that repentance may be no more that trifling 
little piece of duty to which the errors of the late schools of 
learning, and the desires of men to be deceived in this article, 
have reduced it." 

Such an opening would lead us to expect a severe book, 
and as " a severe book," he describes it in his dedication to 
lord Carbery. It does, indeed, inculcate the necessity of an 
earlier and more lasting, a more earnest, and a more par- 
ticular and minute repentance than the indolence of man is 
often willing to undertake, or his self-fiattery to consider 
necessary. 

Yet I am not aware that he has at all exceeded the 
strictness of his rules as laid down in his previous writings, 
or that he has expressed any greater austerity than is justi- 



220 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

fied by the danger of sin, by the uncertainty of life, and the 
further uncertainty that, if Ufe is spared, God's grace may be 
also continued to us. In discussing the probable event of 
a death-bed repentance, he has even expressed himself with 
more caution than he had done on some former occasions, 
referring men not only to the secret mercies of God, but to 
the fact that no precise period of time is laid dov^^n in Scrip- 
ture as absolutely necessary to the work of repentance ; and 
concludino; with some admirable rules for the conduct of a 
penitent under such unhappy circumstances. Such a man, 
he tells us, by self-examination, confession, restitution, sub- 
mission to God's will, and a readiness to suffer whatever can 
come, by pouring out his complaints with great fervour and 
humility, and adding the best resolutions and the warmest 
charity in his power, may do " all that can be done at that 
time, and as well as it can then be done." He concludes this 
branch of his subject, as he does all his other chapters, with 
very moving and appropriate prayers, which are remarkably 
plainer, and, therefore, I think, much better than those in his 
*' Life of Christ," and his " Holy Living." 

I have mentioned this particular case of penitence, in the 
first instance, because it was this in which the harshness 
which Taylor predicates of his own work was chiefly likely 
to have appeared, and in which his previous expressions had 
been such as to excite a prejudice against the whole treatise. 
This, however, was not a question on which Taylor so much 
differed from contemporary divines, as he did on some other 
and very important topics which were naturally involved in 
the " Doctrine of Repentance," and, more particularly, of 
sins of infirmity. I mean the question of the origin and 
amount of man's natural inability to serve or please his 
Maker. 

On this point Taylor has expressed himself, in his pre- 
face, prepared to expect the charge of a departure from the 
doctrine of the church of England ; and, as we have seen, he 
had already, in a former work, used language which might 
justly expose him to that suspicion. It may, therefore, be 
desirable to enter a little more fully into the principles 
which he really maintained, and the grounds on which he 
maintained them, both because those principles, — though 
not always cautiously expressed, were, in fact, much nearer 



J.1FE OF JEREMY TAVEOU, D.U. 221 

the truth than they have been sometimes represented ; and 
because it will not be very difficult to show wherein con- 
sisted that inaccuracy of reasoning which led him into a 
partial heterodoxy. 

The plan of Taylor's " Essay on Repentance," if not ne- 
cessarily, at least naturally, involved a discussion of original 
sin, and its consequences. He began by proving the neces- 
sity of repentance ; — secondly, he went on to discuss its 
nature ; — thirdly, he proceeded to examine the things which 
are to be repented of. 

Having, under the third head, discussed and overturned 
the Romish distinction between mortal and venial sins, 
(proving that all presumptuous and unrepented sin must be 
mortal,) and having prescribed the manner in which '* actual 
single sins," and '* habitual sins," were to be sorrowed for 
and forsaken, he w^as led to inquire what other sins, if any 
there were, which needed a particular repentance ? 

And here, two questions occurred, first, whether men 
are bound to repent of original sin ? And, secondly, in what 
light are sins of infirmity to be regarded ? 

The first question naturally arose from the tenets then 
popular among divines. The second from the large allow- 
ance which men of carnal minds were apt to make them- 
selves, w^hen they contended that the existence of extremely 
sinful habits ,might not be inconsistent with a state of grace, 
inasmuch as the corruptions of nature still clung to the elect, 
and it was not they who transgressed, but sin which dwelt 
in them. 

These points disposed of, the remainder of the discussion 
proceeded in its regular channel. The author, in the ninth 
chapter of his work, went on to show the possibility of 
repentance, and its efficacy to the remission of sin. Under 
this head were involved some very curious secondary topics, 
as to the principles and practice of the ancient church with 
regard to those who had fallen into transgression after bap^ 
tism ; and the nature of " the sin against the Holy Ghost, 
and in what sense it is or may be unpardonable." 

The tenth chapter treated of the fruits of repentance ; — 
of the efficacy or inefficacy of that imperfect sorrow for sin 
which the Roman Catholics call " attrition ;" — of the 
vanity of confession, absolution, penance, and all tlie other 



222 LIFE OK JERE.MY TAYLOR, D.D. 

machinery of the Romish system, to procure pardon without 
a real " contrition," accompanied with some admirable ob- 
servations on the nature and proper use of these ecclesias- 
tical helps to repentance and comforts to the penitent. 

Each portion of the work concludes with applicable 
prayers, conceived in Taylor's warmest spirit of devotion, 
and in his improved and more simple style. The whole 
treatise evidently marks a man in earnest for the salvation of 
souls, and actuated by the feeling which he describes as 
his principal motive for undertaking it: — " Tu autem con- 
versus, confirma fratres !" — " I hope," are his words, " I 
have received many of the mercies of a repenting sinner, 
and I have felt the turnings and varieties of spiritual inter- 
courses ; and I have often observed the advantages in mi- 
nistering to others, and am most confident that the greatest 
benefits of our office may, with best effect, be communicated 
to souls in personal and particular ministrations. In the 
following book I have given advices, and have asserted many 
truths in order to all this. I have endeavoured to break in 
pieces almost all those propositions, upon the confidence of 
which men have been negligent of severe and strict living ; 
I have cancelled some false grounds on which many answers 
in moral theology used to be made to inquiries in cases of 
conscience ; I have, according to my weak ability, described 
all the necessities and great inducements of a holy life ; and 
have endeavoured to do it so plainly, that it may be useful 
to every man, and so inoffensively, that it may hurt no 
man^" 

I have stated these particulars both to show the manner 
in which the offensive section is connected with the body of 
the work, and, still more, to convince those who might other- 
wise have turned away from that work as controversial, or, 
perhaps, heretical, that by far the greatest proportion of its 
contents is purely and valuably practical ; that they who 
may dissent most strongly from his conclusions in particular 
chapters, may read the rest with abundant approbation and 
advantage, and that, more particularly, his observations on 
mortal and venial sins; on the sin against the Holy Ghost, 
— and, on the devices of the Romish clergy, are distin- 

^ Vol. viii, p. ccliv. 



1 . 1 1' E OF J F. R K M y r A V 1 .0 li , \).D. 223 

guished by great originality and justness of sentiment, by 
acute argument, and a wide and critical acquaintance with 
Scripture and ecclesiastical antiquity. 

The question, *' Whether men are bound to repent of 
original sin?" — he might, perhaps, have answered by ob- 
serving simply, (as he has incidentally noticed,) that by the 
consent of those theologians who have attached most im- 
portance to it, original sin is remitted in baptism as to any 
punishment which might accrue from it ; that, though it 
adheres to us, it is not penally imputed to us, and that what 
is innate and unavoidable is a misfortune, not a transgression, 
and, therefore, no proper subject for repentance. 

Nor is the solidity of this answer shaken by the opinion 
of Augustine, that " all our life-time, we are bound to mourn 
for the inconveniences and evil consequences derived from 
original sin;" — or by the determination of our church that 
*' concupiscence" (which is allowed, on all hands, to be a 
necessary consequent of Adam's fall, and a mode in which 
the original corruption shows itself,) " partakes of the nature 
of sin." 

It is, no doubt, a legitimate cause for concern, in those 
who either desire God's glory, or the happiness of their 
fellow-creatures, that they have no worthier sacrifice to 
render to the one than such imperfect services as only are 
in our power, — and that the other are (under the present 
state of things) exposed to so much misery which we can 
neither remove nor materially alleviate. And a knowledge 
of our fallen condition, as it must necessarily make us 
humble and cautious, so it may well serve to excite in us an 
aspiration after a better and happier existence, — the very 
glories of which, while we are banished from them, must 
make the heart sick with hope delayed. 

If this, however, be called repentance, it is an improper 
use of the term, which is usually and correctly applied to 
such a sorrow as is excited by the commission of actions 
which we might have left undone, or by a neglect of such wise 
or virtuous deeds as have been in our power. It follows, 
therefore, that repentance, in its proper meaning, is not 
applicable to original sin. 

It is very true, (though Taylor has, in vain and very 
needlessly, laboured to get rid of the supposed difhculty,) 



224 LIFE OF J ERE. MY TAYLOR, D.D. 

that whatever is displeasing to God and contrary to the 
purposes of his creation, is a sin ; though, if it arises from 
causes over which we have no control, a merciful God will 
not impute it to us. And it is thus that " concupiscence," 
like every evil thought, is said by our church to " partake 
of the nature of sin," inasmuch as the overt act of an unclean 
desire is in itself offensive to the God of purity, though, 
unless we encourage or indulge in it, the God of mercy may 
overlook it in us, as a necessary consequence of our fallen 
condition ; a monument of that wretchedness from which we 
are made free by Christ. But this will not put it into our 
power to repent of what we cannot help, though it may 
exalt our notions of God's goodness, as well as of our own 
daily dependance on his bounty and daily need of his 
foro-iveness. 

Still, however, the question remained, " if we cannot 
repent of original sin, why are we to be punished for it V 
a difficulty which Taylor solved by cutting the knot at once, 
and denying that any man, for original sin alone, would be 
punished with damnation. A conclusion this was which all 
Arminians and some Calvinists would join him in main- 
taining, but in arriving at which his process was not a 
happy one. 

The answer, apparently most obvious, and which, as I 
conceive, would have been most consistent with the general 
language of inspiration, would have been, that, without ex- 
tenuating the amount of human corruption, or the fatal 
consequences which, if things had been left to their natural 
course, must have been incurred by all Adam's posterity ; 
it is plain from Scripture that, in point of fact, the world 
never was thus left to itself. Where iniquity abounded, 
grace did much more abound. The promise of a Redeemer 
was made as soon as our first parents had sinned, and before 
they had earned their name of parent ; and the sacrifice of 
Christ is allowed, on all hands, to have had a retrospective as 
well as a prospective efficacy, which, in all those who were 
brought to a knowledge of him, either before or after his 
coming, was fruitful of grace to enable them to struggle 
against their innate corruption, and of merciful atonement 
to free them from the punishment of those stains which still 
adhered to their nature. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 225 

To the objection that this dispensation only apphed to 
the converted and baptized, — to those who had received 
the knowledge and badge of salvation, while infants unbap- 
tized, and heathens, remained liable to God's wrath, and 
heirs of utter damnation, — he might have rejoined, that all 
such must be left to the uncovenanted mercies of a good and 
gracious Father; or he might have given, perhaps, a more 
plausible answer still, — that the merits of Christ's death 
and intercession may extend far beyond the limits of his 
visible church ; that his grace may supply the unavoidable 
deficiencies of those who have not heard his name ; and that 
many may be led by his Spirit, and saved by his blood, who 
have only known of God that " he is, and that he is the 
rewarder of them that diligently seek him." This is pretty 
nearly the account which is given by the bishop of Win- 
chester, in his able commentary on the eighteenth article of 
our church; nor do I know any solution which can more 
satisfactorily reconcile the certainty and greatness of the 
natural corruption of man, and his consequent need of a 
Redeemer, with the fact that the name of this Redeemer is 
not yet made known to all, and the presumption that a just 
and merciful God will not treat the impotent as if they were 
wilfully rebellious. 

Unfortunately, Taylor went to work by another process, 
and busied himself, first, in extenuating the greatness and 
evil consequences of Adam's fall ; next, in exalting the free- 
will and remaining powers of man ; lastly, in denying that 
concupiscence could be in itself sinful, unless it proceeded to 
a deliberate and cherished image, to which the soul reverted 
with pleasure. 

His opinion as to the first of these points was the same 
with some of the schoolmen^, who believed that Adam, as 
first created, was no better nor w^ser than any of his 
descendants ; but that, when he was placed in Paradise, a 
supernatural grace was given to him, which enabled him to 
please God; to resist temptation, — and, by the use of the 
appointed and sacramental means, to live for ever. 

Accordingly, the effect of his fall was, when thus ex- 
plained, no more than a return to his natural condition, and 

«= Note (YY). 
Q 



226 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

his children lost nothing but the prospect of succeeding to 
certain valuable privileges which were theirs in reversion 
only, and were not inherent but superadded gifts, even in 
the instance of their first parent. 

If he erred in the adoption of this doctrine, he certainly 
erred in good company, inasmuch as the same was main- 
tained by Bull and by archbishop King'^. It is, however, a 
doctrine which can hardly stand the test of Scripture, which 
not only is silent as to any superadded qualifications con- 
ferred on Adam to enable him to keep the first covenant, but 
which, moreover, expressly tells us, that God created man 
upright. The question, however, is apparently of no prac- 
tical importance, since, at whatever time Adam received the 
perfections of his being, whether at or after his creation, the 
consequences of the loss of those perfections would be the 
same both to himself and his descendants. 

Taylor, however, went on to deny that the depravation of 
man's nature, after the fall, was so total as had been generally 
apprehended ; and to attack the conclusions of the West- 
minster divines, who maintained, not only that man was- 
** very far gone from original righteousness," but that he 
was altogether perverted, and incapable of any thing but evil. 

He asserted, on the contrary, that, amid the deplorable 
ruin of the world, some frag-ments of the Divine image 
might yet be discovered ; that not only freedom of will 
remained, but that, in some particular cases, the tendency of 
man was on the side of virtue. — " A man cannot naturally 
hate God, if he knows any thing of him. — A man naturally 
loves his parents; he naturally hates some sort of uncleanness. 
He naturally loves and preserves himself; and all those sins 
which are unnatural, are such which nature hates ; and the 
law of nature commands all the great instances of virtue, 
and marks out all the great lines of justice." — " Here only 
our nature is defective. We do not naturally know, nor yet 
naturally love, those supernatural excellencies which are 
appointed and commanded by God, as the means of bringing 
us to a supernatural condition. That is, without God's grace, 
and the renovation of the Spirit, we cannot be saved ^." 

•* Bull — DiscoTirse on the first Covenant. Sermons, vol. iii. p. 1065. King 
on the Origin of Evil, chap. iv. sect. 8. p. 211. Ed. Cantab. 
« Vol. ix. p. 41. 



LIFE OF JKHEAIV TAVroU, D.I). 227 

Here, too, it is probable that most Arminians will agree 
that he had a juster view of human nature as it now exists, 
and pursued a more correct interpretation of some well-known 
passages of Scripture, than his opponents. He has here, 
in fact, said no more than bishop Butler and the bishop of 
Winchester have both maintained in discussing the same 
intricate subject ^ 

The fact is, indeed, that, with the allowances which 
all these divines have made, — the difference between their 
view of man's corruption, and that which is taken by the 
Calvinists, is not, as to any practical consequence, worth 
disputing. Both sides allow that man is so far fallen as to 
be unable, without grace, to rise to heaven or escape ever- 
lasting punishment ; and Taylor, in particular, has, in many 
of his argumentative, and all his devotional passages, ad- 
mitted in the humblest language, his vileness, his helpless- 
ness, his worthlessness. But, if the ruin be effectual, it 
signifies little whether it be total ; and if man is, by nature, 
the heir of wrath, it is a question of very inferior importance, 
whether there may or may not be some scattered good 
qualities yet remaining about him, which may make a 
difference in his final lot, so far at least as a mitigation of 
punishment. Augustine himself never taught that Socrates 
and Marcus Aurelius were to be ranked in the same category 
of eternal suffering with Simon Magus and Nero ; but 
Augustine, nevertheless, like the Romish church, and the 
Calvinists, was peremptory in consigning them to some 
portion of everlasting misery, and, in fact, if it be allowed 
that no flesh can escape except through Christ, it seems 
absolutely necessary, if we would escape from these revolting 
consequences, to suppose, as has been already hinted, an 
extension of the merits of Christ's blood, and the help of his 
Holy Spirit, beyond the limits of the visible church, and the 
list of those who have heard the tidings of salvation. 

This Taylor appears, from some expressions in his ''further 
Explications," to have suspected*^. But he has not followed 
up this presumption to any length, and, in consequence, 
fluctuates between Augustine and Pelaf^ius, too deeply 



* Butler's Analogy, pp. .'!! and \'Ao. Tnmlino. Rot'ut. Calv. j)p, 2, .'{, 4. 
g Vol. ix. pp. 91, 92, 9:i. 



228 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

impressed with the mercy of God to assent to the harsh 
doctrines of the first ; too conscious of the necessity of 
spiritual illumination to emi)race the self-flattery of the 
second. 

This is not the only instance, however, in which he has 
underrated the consequences of Adam's transgression. He 
conceives that the sin of Adam and its immediate conse- 
quences, were answerable only for a small, " the smallest 
part," of the present corruption of our species. — '* It is not 
his fault alone, nor ours alone, and neither of us is innocent." 
— "A great part is a natural impotency, and the other is 
brought in by our own folly." He imputes it, in great part, 
to the " many concurrent causes of evil which have influence 
upon communities of men, such as are, evil examples, the 
simiUtude of Adam's transgression, vices of princes, wars, 
impurity, ignorance, error, false principles, flattery, interest, 
fear, partiality, authority, evil laws, heresy, schism, spite and 
ambition, natural inclination, and other principiant causes, 
which, proceeding from the natural weakness of human 
constitution, are the fountain and proper causes of many 
consequent evils'"." 

Surely to represent those as concurrent causes, which, 
by his own account of them, proceed from the great and 
common cause, is neither good logic nor good divinity. 
It is not even correct to say that the evil which is within us, 
and always ready to break forth on occasion, is materially 
increased by what are, at most, its exciting causes, and some 
of which are only the different modes and places in which 
the same internal corruption shows itself. 

If it were true, which he supposes, after St. Chrysostom', 
that " Adam having begun the principal of sin, we have 
added the interest ;" that "' every age grows worse, and adds 
some iniquity of its own to the former examples," we should 
have long since arrived at an insuperable and insufferable 
height of iniquity ; the earth would have loathed us as she 
loathed the Canaanites, and the " cursed race" would have 
been, ere now, exterminated by its increasing vices and 
violence. 

But experience reads us a lesson extremely different. 

'' Vol. ix. p. 44. ' lb. p. 57. 



LIFE OF .lEKEMY TAVJ,OH, D.I). 229 

She gives us no reason to believe that any given form of 
society which the world has yet seen, has less than its 
share of peculiar occasions of evil. If civilized and polished 
society has more temptations, it has also more salutary 
restraints ; and even the dangers which beset such a state of 
existence, are, if more numerous, hardly so formidable, as 
those of the earlier and ruder pages of history, where force 
is the law, and the strong man, and he only, " does that 
which is right in his own eyes." 

So far from a progressive increase of wickedness, from 
the hypothesis of a golden age, deteriorated slowly into 
silver, brass, and iron ; we find, on the contrary, while the 
family of man was small, and the intercourse of man with 
God not yet unfrequent ; while want and tyranny, and the 
snares of larger communities, were unknown, and while the 
recent punishment of the species, and the dreadful forms of 
the cherubim, yet visible on the ascent to Paradise, must have 
prevented all causes of depravity, but the one great cause, from 
operating, the first-born of Adam, for a very small oft'ence, 
if any offence at all, became the deliberate murderer of 
his brother. And while the natural life of man was yet 
a thousand years ; while the penitent father and monarch of 
men was scarcely cold in his grave ; we read of the earth 
being full of violence, and of sins which called down a 
common destruction on all but a single family. 

These facts may convince us that we suffer not from a 
slowly accumulated burden, but from a malady at once 
contracted ; that there is no reason to believe that the first 
access of wickedness was slighter than its more confirmed 
stages ; or that any one age of the world has sufficient reason 
to complain of a greater abundance of iniquity than its 
fellows. On the whole, perhaps, the more polished and 
educated ages have the advantage, and the admonition of 
Protagoras might apply to those who desire the homeliness 
of a more simple state of society. 

' O'jTug lio'j xcc/ vZv, offr/g dot ddixurarog (patvsrat dvd^oj'rog vojv Iv 
\iO[Mrjig xai dM^oujrroig rg^^a/x/xsvwc, dixatov dvrov etvui, '/.ai br\iJbio\j^yov 
Tovrou rov rr^ay/Marog, si hioi durov x^ivsffOai rr^og dvd^oij'rovg oig jiii^re 
rraidcia sffri /jut^ts dixaffrri^ia, /Jt^rjrs vofMoi, dvayxr) fMrids/xta. diarravrog 
ava^/xa^ojca d^irrig s'7ri/M->.s7ffl}ai, dKX' hzv dy^ioi rtv-gy hm rrs^ oug 
■r-pvtri (J?i^S7t^aryjg o 7roiy)T'/jc sb/du^sv stti A>ji'a/w* r fd^ob^a 3v ToTg 



230 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

roiovroi; uvdowrroic yiMOiMivoc, oid-riP 6/ sv Ixsivcfj ru) y^ooui /jLiffavd^wroi, 
uyarr,(jOCic dv si svrv^oig 'Ev^vQaT'^j -/.ai (I>^uvuvdcc, y.a,i dvoXo(pv^ai^ dv 
rro&ojv TTiV tojv svdads dvi)^Cfj'7r(/j\/ rrovri^iav' . 

Tliere are other incidental topics in the Essay on Re- 
pentance, and its apologies, on which the dicta of Taylor 
must be received with caution. He, in one passage, while 
reckoning up the causes which have added to the stock 
of Adam's original corruption, mentions, as one of them, the 
silence of God, during the earliest ages of the world, on the 
subject of a life beyond the grave. 

** The first great cause of an universal impiety is, that, 
at first, God had made no promises of heaven ; he had not 
propounded any glorious rewards, to be as an argument to 
support the superior faculty against the inferior, that is, to 
make the will choose the best and leave the worst, and to 
be as a reward for suffering contradiction." — " If God had 
been pleased to have promised to Adam the glories he hath 
promised to us, it is not to be supposed he had fallen so 
easily. But he did not, and so he fell, and all the world 
followed his example, and most upon this account ; till it 
pleased God, after he had tried the world with temporal 
promises, and found them also insufficient," — " to cause us 
to be born anew by the revelations and promises of Jesus 
Christ'." 

To say nothing of the inconsistency with which a writer, 
who is the strenuous advocate of man's free-will, lest God 
should be suspected to be the author of sin, imputes to God 
in almost express words, a suppression of those lights which 
only are effectual to keep men from sin ; there are few 
mistakes more palpable, or more easily refuted, than that 
which supposes the ancient Israelites, or their patriarchal 
ancestors, to have been without a knowledge of the immor- 
tality of the soul. The book of Job (perhaps the oldest in 
the world) expressly acknowledges it ; St. Paul, when rea- 
soning on the words of Jacob, respecting his pilgrimage, 
speaks in a manner which proves that, in his opinion, the 
father of the tribes expected such an enduring city ; — the 
I'epeated promises of the Messiah, to arise from the race of 
Abraham, could have been no comfort to those who w^ere, 

^ riato, Protagoras, Op. iii. 12 L Ed. Bipont. ' Pp. 42, 43. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 231 

many generations before his coming, to be laid to sleep in 
the cave of Macpelah, unless they expected that they also 
were to awaken, and, with their descendants, to share in 
the privileges which that great Redeemer was to purchase. 
It is humiliating to see any men of genius and learning 
involved in the defence of such a paradox ; but what shall 
be said, when those men are Jeremy Taylor and Warburton ? 

Still, as has been already shown, in the practical and 
devotional parts, and even in those chapters which, ex- 
clusively, contain the erroneous assertions to which I have 
alluded, there is abundance which may be read with admi- 
ration and improvement. He has sifted with uncommon 
force and learning the errors of Calvinism, as they respect 
the absolute decrees of God, and the damnation of unbaptized 
infants. His defence of free-will from the writings of the 
early fathers wdll, though shorter, bear no unfavourable 
comparison with bishop Tomline's learned and able treatise 
on the same subject; and, on the whole, though the work 
is by no means faultless, it is still the work of the same 
author with the ** Liberty of Prophesying," and the " Holy 
Living and Dying." 

Having thus largely discussed the difference which, on 
the topic of original sin, existed between Taylor and the 
majority of the Church of England, — it is unnecessary for 
me to take any further notice of the works in which he 
re-stated and justified his peculiar opinion, the letters to 
Warner, and that to the Countess of Devonshire. 

I pass on, therefore, to the essay which follows next in 
the series, and which is also dedicated to Warner; his ''Real 
Presence and Spiritual of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, 
proved against the Doctrine of Transubstantiation," — a 
pow^erful and learned disquisition, of which the conclusions 
and doctrines deserve unqualified praise ; though, even here, 
a desire to conciliate his antagonists, or an anxiety to raise 
as high as possible the honour of the Christian altar, has 
involved him occasionally in an illogical mode of reasoning, 
and thrown a needless obscurity around a plain doctrine of 
the Protestant church, and some very clear and comfortable 
texts of Scripture. 

Thus he begins with stating the doctrine of the Protest- 
ants as to Christ's presence in the sacrament, as if it were. 



232 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

that "" the symbols become changed into the body and blood 
of Christ, after a sacramental, that is, in a spiritual 
real manner ; so that all that worthily communicate, do by 
faith receive Christ really, effectually, and to all the purposes 
of his passion." In these words his meaning is pretty evi- 
dent, but his manner of expression is hardly accurate. 

How does he understand the word sacramental'^ He 
would probably answer, that a sacrament is a symbol ; 
a sign of something besides itself, — " a means whereby we 
receive the thing intended, and a pledge to assure us there- 
of." In the present instance, then, it is a sign of Christ's 
body and blood; it is a means whereby our souls partake 
in the graces flowing from his sacrifice, and a pledge to 
assure us of our participation in those benefits. But, with 
*' sacramental," in this sense, the term real is utterly incon- 
sistent, inasmuch as the change which " sacramental" implies 
is figurative and conventional only. If a counter is taken to 
pass for a guinea, a change has undoubtedly taken place in 
its virtues and its effects, but it has not become a real golden 
coin. It is conventionally worth more than it was, but it is 
ivory and a counter still. And, though we reverence the 
bread and wine after consecration, as the authentic image of 
the body and blood of him who died for us, it is not correct to 
say that any real change has taken place in their nature, though 
they have undoubtedly become the means of our obtaining a 
spiritual blessing. There are, in Scripture, two meanings of 
the word spiritual: the one, something detached from and 
superior to matter ; which is, apparently the sense in which 
St. Paul (in Taylor's own illustration,) contrasts the hea- 
venly or spiritual tabernacle, with that tent which Moses set 
up as its image : the other, what we should more usually 
express by virtual, as when the same apostle speaks of him- 
self as present in spirit, in the sentence pronounced in his 
absence, but by his authority, on the incestuous Corinthian. 
In this latter sense, the thing signified or represented is 
always spiritually present with its sign or representation, 
provided that this last is, in the first place, authentic ; and, 
secondly, empowered to produce the same effect which 
its principal, if present would have done. Thus, Christ was 
spiritually present as a Redeemer and a sacrifice for sin, in all 
the rites of the Jewish law, which, by God's appointment. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 233 

shadowed out the benefits which his death was to bestow ; 
and conveyed a share in those benefits to the Israehtes, who 
partook in them faithfully. And this, as I conceive, is the 
sense in which he is also apprehended to be present in his 
capacity of victim, and to give his body and blood for our 
spiritual support, in the sacrament of the eucharist. 

But this virtual presence is so far from a real one, that it 
is absolutely opposed to it. And this is the reason why the 
Romanists, who maintain the latter in its grossest sense, 
contend so strongly against the former ; so that the word realy 
as Taylor has introduced it, is unmeaning or worse ; inas- 
much as for the elements to be really changed into the body 
and blood of Christ, is the very thing for which the Roman- 
ists plead, and which is at complete variance with Tay- 
lor's previous statement, as well as with all his subsequent 
arguments. 

Still, it may be urged, the doctrine of Taylor is really 
the doctrine of the reformed churches ; as, where the 
Church of England teaches, that " the body and blood of 
Christ are ver'di/ and indeed taken and received by the 
faithful in the Lord's supper." And where Calvin main- 
tains, that, " in the supper, Jesus Christ (viz. his body 
and blood,) is truly and indeed given under the signs of 
bread and wine." 

But neither of these expressions favour the reality of 
the presence, though both explicitly set forth the efficacy 
of the symbols. These are very different assertions, and, 
in common life, a distinction is continually made between 
them. An estate is conveyed by the delivery of the title- 
deeds, a kingdom by the imposition of a crown. The 
enjoyment and possession both of the one and the other 
become, from that time, real and actual, though the estate 
may be in Cumberland, while the transaction of exchange 
or purchase takes place in London ; and though, unques- 
tionably, the kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland are 
not really within that golden circle which is the pledge and 
sign of sovereignty. What, indeed, is the meaning of 
any thing being present under its symbols or represent- 
ations, unless it be that the thing itself is not there, but 
that there is something else which supplies its place? Or, 
what but this can be the meaning of tlic spirit nal presence of 



234 LIFE OF JEllKMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

a substance? It is plain, then, that our reformers, in deny- 
ing the bodily change of the elements, admitted no real 
change in them at all ; though they did not fail to recog- 
nise the presence of a Divine Power, which communicated 
to those who partook in them faithfully, a share in the sacri- 
fice, and an union with the mystical body, of the Lamb 
slain on Calvary. 

But, though he has thus encumbered his proposition 
with unnecessary difficulties, and expressed it in terms which 
hardly express the meaning of those whom he defends ; yet 
the proposition itself, that Christ's body is no otherwise than 
spiritually present in the sacrament, he has established in his 
following sections, with great acuteness and learning. 

He begins by proving that the doctrine of transubstan- 
tiation is not found in Scripture : first, by the admission 
of some of the most celebrated doctors of the Romish church ; 
secondly, by a critical examination of the two principal pas- 
sages which are usually urged in its behalf, — the 6th chapter 
of St. John, and the words in which our Saviour instituted 
the sacraments. 

On the first of these he has, perhaps, gone too far, in 
denying that it relates to the sacrament at all, or to any thing 
but Christ's doctrine, and the faith vv^hich lays hold on it. 
This is contrary to the general opinion of the church ; and it 
is strange that, if Christ had not, in this instance also, in- 
tended to allude to the eucharist, he should afterwards, when 
speaking of another thing, describe it in words not merely 
like, but identical. 

Taylor, indeed, urges, that if the eucharist were in- 
tended, it would follow that no man could be saved without 
partaking in it ; and therefore that infants, fools, and per- 
sons who are impeded by restraint or distance, must all neces- 
sarily perish. But this argument is worth little, since it 
would only put the one sacrament on the same footing with 
the other, as being, in subjecto capaci, the ordinary means of 
grace and salvation, without necessarily inferring that they 
who have not the means of obtaining are to perish, any more 
than the penitent thief perished for want of baptism. No man 
is bound to an impossibility ; but a neglect of the appointed 
means, when in our power, may be damnable in the one case 
as well as in the other. And this is all which necessarily 



LIFE OF JFllEMY TAYLOR, D.D. 235 

follows from the supposition that Christ intended the sacra- 
ment, when he said, ** Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of 
man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you." 

He is more successful, however, when he goes on to ob- 
serve, that, supposing it to refer to the sacrament, it is plain 
that the eatnig and drinking here spoken of must not be 
material, but spiritual ; first, because the men of Capernaum 
were reproved for understanding his expressions in their 
gross and literal sense; secondly, because, whoever eats 
Christ's flesh hath eternal life. But this must be meant of a 
spiritual eating, and one which is eftected by faith alone ; 
since, if the eating were bodily, and the elements, as the 
Romanists pretend, were changed in substance, the wicked 
might eat Christ as well as the worthy communicant. But, 
again, what Christ calls his body, he also calls bread, (ver. 
51, 58) ; if, therefore, the words are taken literally, they may 
prove consubstantiation, but not transubstantiation, since the 
last implies a total change of the element. And consubstan- 
tiation even the Romanists allow to be impossible. 

The argument drawn from the words of institution he 
invalidates with equal success. In the first place, he ob- 
serves, that, out of the w^hole sentence, " Take, eat, this 
is my body," Sec. the church of Rome separates, *' Hoc 
est corpus meum," and says, that ** these words, pronounced 
by the priest with due intention, do efiect the change of 
the bread into Christ's body."' — *' But, by what argument 
can it be proved that these words, ' take and eat,' are not 
as effective of the change as * Hoc est corpus meum V If 
they be, then the taking and eating do consecrate, and it is 
not Christ's body till it is taken and eaten; and then, when 
that is done, it is so no more; and, besides that reserva- 
tion, circumgestation, adoration, elevation of it, must of 
themselves fall to the ground, it will also follow, that it is 
Christ's body only in a mystical, spiritual, and sacramental 
manner. That Christ used these words is true, and so he 
used all the other ; but did not tell which were the conse- 
crating words, nor appoint them to use these words, but to 
do the thing, and so to remember and represent his death." 

St. Basil, he goes on to urge, affirms that the form of 
the consecration of the eucharist is not delivered to us ; and 
St. Gregory teaches, that " the apostles consecrated the 



236 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

eucharist only by saying the Lord's Prayer; and, above all, 
it is apparent, that the apostles did not suppose these words 
to be of so vital importance to the efficacy of the sacrament, 
as the Church of Rome maintains, since the evangelists and 
St. Paul write these very expressions differently. 

But, if the Roman Catholics make use of these words in 
a proper y not in a figurative sense, then it is a declaration of 
something already in being, and not effective of any thing 
after it. " Est" is " is," not " shall be ;" but " by the con- 
fession of the Roman doctors, the bread is not transubstan- 
tiated till the inn in meum be quite out." — " They affirm, that 
it is made Christ's body, by saying it is Christ's body ; but 
their saying so must suppose the thing done, or else their 
saying so is false ; and, if it be done before, then, to say it, 
does not do it at all, because it is done already." The 
thing is simple, if the words are regarded as declaratory 
only of the designation of the elements ; but, if a change 
is to be operated, at what time does this change begin; 
and how, when it is, at most, only inchoate, can we speak 
of it as completed ? 

But, what is stronger and more to the purpose than all 
this ingenious fencing with the Romanists at their own wea- 
pons, he reminds us that, as the eucharist itself was, in the 
external and ritual part, an imitation of a sacramental 
custom already in use among the Jews ; so also were the very 
words which Christ spoke an imitation of the words which 
were used in that ancient ceremony. The Jews said, ** This 
is the bread of sorrow which our fathers ate in Egypt." — 
*' This is the passover ;" — and this passover was called the 
body of the Paschal Lamb ; nay, it was called the body of 
our Saviour, and our Saviour himself." — " So that here 
the words were made ready for Christ, and made his by 
appropriation." — '* He is the true passover, which he 
then affirming, called that which was the antitype of the 
passover, the ' body' of the true passover, to wit, in 
the same sacramental sense in which the like words were 
affirmed in the Mosaical passover"^." 

But, as an additional reason to make us conclude that 
Christ called the bread his body in a figurative sense, he 

'" ^'c)l. ix. p. 4f)9. 



LIVE OF JERE^rV TAYLOR, D.D. 237 

urges that, in the language which he spoke, there is no 
word which can express " significat ; " but they use the word 
** /5." — *' The Hebrews and the Syrians always join the 
names of the signs with the thing signified ; and, since 
the very essence of a sign is to signify, it is not an im- 
proper elegemcy, in those languages, to use est for signijical .'^ 
In the New Testament, the same manner of speaking is 
retained, as he proves from " the field is the world," — 
'' I am the door," " My Father is the husbandman," 
" the candlesticks are the churches," 8cc. 

It is reasonable, therefore, to believe that Christ spoke 
on this occasion as he spoke on others ; more particularly 
since the very institution of the sacrament is, in itself, 
representative, significant, and commemorative, (according 
both to St. Paul and our Saviour himself,) of the death and 
sufterings of the latter. 

And, that all sacraments and transactions of the kind 
were, in ancient days, accompanied with figurative and sig- 
nificant words and actions, he proves by the fact, that fjbv(frr,^tov 
is the word used by the Greeks to express our word sacra- 
ment ; that, in Exodus, the paschal lamb is called " the 
passover," that is, the passing of the angel over the houses 
of Israel ; and, that this instance is so much the more 
apposite, because it is the forerunner of the blessed eucha- 
rist, which succeeded that, as baptism did circumcision. — In 
this manner six sections are occupied. 

In the seventh section, he establishes the same fio;urative 
explication of the w ords, from the manner and circumstances 
of the institution, from the fact that, before his passion, his 
body was not really broken nor his blood shed ; so that the 
broken bread and the wine poured out must have been his 
body, not truly, but figuratively ; from the presumption that 
it cannot be imagined that the apostles understood it in the 
literal sense, when they saw his body stand by, unbroken, 
alive, integral, hypostatical ; and that, as the words of insti- 
tution show that it was designed to represent his death, 
which was then future, it could not be necessary or useful to 
introduce on such an occasion his real body ; since, if this 
had been the case, the shadow would have become the sub- 
stance, and the sacrifice of Christ for the sins of the world 



238 hlFK OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

would have taken place before his sufferings on Mount 
Calvary. 

What follows is admirably clear and rational : — 

*' It is but an imperfect conception of the mystery to say, 
that it is the sacrament of Christ's body only, or his blood ; 
but it is ** ex parte rei/' a sacrament of the death of his 
body : and to us a participation or exhibition of it, as it 
became beneficial to us ; that is, as it was crucified, as it was 
our sacrifice. And this is so wholly agreeable to the nature 
of the thing, and the order of the words, and the body of 
the circumstances, that it is next to that which is evident in 
itself, and needs no further light but the considering the 
words and the design of the institution : especially, since it 
is consonant to the style of Scripture in the sacrament of the 
passover, and very many other instances. It wholly expli- 
cates the nature of the mystery, it reconciles our duty with 
the secret, it is free of all inconveniences, it prejudices no 
right, nor hinders any real effect it hath or can have ; and it 
makes the mystery intelligible and prudent, fit to be dis- 
coursed of and inserted into the rituals of a wise religion °." 

In the 8th and 9th sections, he discusses the arguments 
advanced from Scripture in favour of transubstantiation, and 
adduces many scriptural arguments for the opposite side. 
In the 10th, he shows, at considerable length, the absurdity 
of believing any thing which is in direct opposition to the 
senses. 

This is one of the most curious and able parts of the 
treatise, in which he discusses many important questions, of 
God's power ; of the distinction between things which may 
be the proper subject of a miracle, and things naturally im- 
possible ; of the different properties of body and of spirit ; 
of the distinction between a belief in transubstantiation and 
in the Holy Trinity ; of the remarkable circumstances under 
which Christ appeared to the apostles after his resurrection ; 
of the impossibility of conceiving an accident in a state 
of separation from its substance, and of the absurd and even 
blasphemous consequences which result from representing 
the body of Christ as contained under the accident of bread 

" Vol. ix. p. 494. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, O.D. 239 

and wine. — The whole is a treasury of sound logical argu- 
ment and acute criticism ; but it would be difficult to find 
any particular specimen which would not be too long for 
selection. 

The 12th section is employed in shewing the compara- 
tively recent introduction of the doctrine in question into the 
church, and that it was unknown, or, at least, not received 
by the most considerable of the fathers. In discussing the 
sentiments of some of these, he had, certainly, expressions 
to encounter which might have perplexed an ordinary con- 
troversialist ; but Taylor's knowledge of their writings and 
their peculiar style was so extensive, that he was able to 
distinguish, with remarkable acuteness, between assertions 
which really apply to the point in question and those which 
are equally reconcilable with either hypothesis, — those 
which prove too much, or those which only seem to tell 
against the Protestants, through an ignorance of the hyper- 
bolical lano:ua2:e usual with the writers of those ag-es. 

To these alledged testimonies, he opposes many others, — 
from Tertullian, Origen, Clemens Alexandrinus, Cyprian, 
Eusebius, Ephren Syrus, Epiphanius, Macarius, Gregory 
of Nazianzum, Ambrose, Chrysostom, Theodoret, Augustine, 
and Gelasius. 

He very sensibly remarks, that, as his object is to prove 
a negative, and to show that the doctrine of transubstantia- 
tion was not the universal or catholic doctrine of the church, 
it was not necessary for him to produce a general consent, or 
even a majority of the ancient writers ; since, if even a 
smaller number of the eldest and most considerable dis- 
sented, it is plain that the doctrine which he opposed could 
not answer to the rule of Vincentius Lirinensis, " Quod 
semper, quod ubique, quod ab omnibus." He also observes, 
that, though rhetorical exaggeration, hyperbolical expres- 
sions of love and reverence, and other causes of the same 
kind, may have led the fathers to use many phrases stronger 
than their sober opinion warranted, on the side of the 
Romish doctors; yet, in opposition to the hypothesis of a 
real bodily presence, they would never have spoken that 
which they did not seriously believe and intend to main- 
tain ; inasmuch as it could never be their object to under- 



240 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

value or diminish from tlie intrinsic dignity of the holy 
sacrament. 

He remarks, that so far was transubstantiation from being 
a Catholic doctrine, that it was fiercely disputed among 
Catholics in the time of Charles the Bald ; when tlie con- 
trary was maintained by Rabanus, Bertram, and, above all, 
by the illustrious scholar Duns Scotus. In England, much 
later, the same opinion might be held unblamed; and even 
the Lateran Council pronounced nothing against it ; though, 
thirty-six years after, in 1251, a council of only fifty-four 
prelates, held at Rome, thought fit to declare the real 
presence an article of faith. Stephen, bishop of Augusto- 
dunum, in 1100, first invented the word " transubstan- 
tiation." — "He christened the article and gave the name, 
and this congregation confirmed it." 

In the thirteenth and concluding section, he examines the 
practical part of the dispute, and demonstrates, against the 
Romanists, the danger of paying divine honour to that 
which, even on their own principles, (through many cir- 
cumstances of secret imperfection in the words spoken, 
the intention, or the personal character of the minister,) 
may be no more than bread, and which no good or suffi- 
cient argument has been advanced to prove that it can be 
God. 

He relates, on the authority of Bishop Andrew^s, a remark- 
able instance in which the Jesuits, who were to die for the 
Gunpowder Treason, refused to stake their salvation on their 
assurance that the bread and wine were the very body and 
blood which had been sacrificed for their sins ; and when 
Garnet replied, that though the general doctrine was certain, 
a man might well doubt of the particular instance. And he 
urges, that " as we must pray with faith and without doubting, 
so it is fit we should worship ; and yet, in this case, and upon 
these premises, no man can choose but death, and therefore, 
he ought not to worship : * Quod diihitas nefeceris.' " 

He concludes with an eloquent picture of the scandal 
thus given to Jews and Turks, and the ill effects of the 
example on heathen idolaters. 

The style of this essay, as well as of those which follow 
it, is easy, clear, flowing, and vigorous, with less of his 



LIFE OF JEIIE.AIV TAYLOR, D.D. 241 

characteristic eloquence tlian some of" those productions 
which I have already noticed, but extremely well calculated 
to sustain attention, and to carry his reader without fatigue 
through an intricate and lengthened argument. There are, 
however, some instances of eloquence as well as power, and 
there are several in which he has indulged in a tone of 
sarcastic humour, which seems to show that his talent for 
satire might have been (had he chosen to employ it) as con- 
siderable as any of his other powers of composition. Such 
a passage occurs in his dedication, where he observes that, 
because the doctrines of the Romish church " met with 
opponents at all hands, they proceeded to a more vigorous 
Avay of arguing : they armed legions against their adversaries ; 
they confuted at one time in the town of Beziers, sixti/ thousand 
persons; and, in one battle, disputed so prosperously/ and 
acutely, that they killed about ten thousand men that were 
sacramentaries. And this Bellarmine gives as an instance of 
the works of his church ; this way of arguing was used in 
almost all the countries of Christendom, till, by crusadoes, 
massacres and battles, burnings, and the constant carnificia 
and butchery of the inquisition, (which is the main proof of 
the papacy, and does more than * Tu es Petrus,') they pre- 
vailed far and near, and men durst not oppose the evidence 
on which they fought !" Such indignant satire was not ill 
employed on the sanguinary follies of popery. But of this 
kind of talent more instances are to be found in his two 
succeeding essays. 

The former of these was, as I have already had occasion 
to notice, — a task imposed on him by the bishops of the 
Irish church, and elicited, in a great degree, by the gross- 
and prevalent superstitions of the Irish populace, it is, 
however, not a work addressed to that populace ; indeed, 
from some expressions in his preface, he seems to have 
early despaired of its rendering such persons any immediate 
service. It is addressed, throughout, to the Irish clergy, 
and the educated part of the Irish laity ; nor am I aware of any 
work (out of the many which have appeared, and, in their 
time, done good service to the cause of Protestantism,) so 
well calculated to answer its object, or to excite, in the mind 
of a well-informed Papist, a conviction of the necessity of 



242 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

reformation in his own church, and a belief that this 
necessary work has been competently effected in ours. 

The style is never oratorical, seldom even eloquent in 
that sense and character of eloquence which a person, who 
has formed his notions of Jeremy Taylor from his sermons 
and devotional works, would anticipate. But it is easy, 
buoyant, and elastic, effectually removed from the opposite 
evils of langour or inflation, or that tediousness which is the 
immediate consequence of both. The English is thoroughly 
good, natural, and unaffected ; with some considerable 
admixture, indeed, of scholastic terms ; but these, for a 
reason which will be shortly given, entirely appropriate to 
his subject and his readers. The tone of his controversy is 
simple, friendly, and affectionate; it is such as a Christian 
bishop may well hold towards the people of his charge; 
and he, throughout, abstains, with Christian care, from 
imputing to the individuals of the party opposed to him a 
concurrence in, or even a knowledge of, the odious con- 
sequences which he frequently deduces from their opinions. 
Against penal courses of every kind he, in his preface, speaks 
with the same abhorrence as when he wrote his " Liberty of 
Prophesying;" and the spirit of his treatise is the mild and 
ingratiating spirit of an apology for differing from the 
Romanists, rather than of a formal attack on their principles. 
Even his satire (of which formidable weapon he makes 
abundant and able use,) is conveyed under the form of 
" banter," rather than of scoff or insult. Without flattering 
their prejudices, without even sparing them, he talks to 
his adversaries as if they were already his friends, or 
one day to become so. And, above all, he talks to them 
as a Romanist; he addresses them with a perfect knowledge 
of their writers, — their ecclesiastical history, — their school- 
men, — their traditions, and their prejudices; a perfect 
familiarity with both their strong and their weak grounds ; 
a power and habit of appealing to their own writers as his 
best and most frequent authorities, and a dexterity which 
has never been exceeded in opposing the contradictions of 
those writers to each other, laying bare their fallacies, and 
gently but not insolently exciting indignation against their 
corruptions, and a smile against their absurdities. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D,D. 243 

To confirm Protestants in their religion, it may or it 
may not have power. It presupposes a familiarity with 
Romish writers which Protestants rarely possess ; and those 
Protestants who are tempted to change their religion for 
a worse, are generally, as I apprehend, impelled to do so 
by some single broad and powerful, though mistaken prin- 
ciple or feeling, which is too concentrated and too closely 
intrenched in some peculiarity of habit or intellect, to give 
way to such a war of detail as is carried on by Taylor. 

But to shake the former opinions of an intelligent Roman 
Catholic, and to conciliate him for the reception of new ; — to 
detach him from an implicit confidence in his ancient guides, 
w^ithout inclining him, at the same time, to a sceptical 
aversion from all guides whatever ; — to point out the contra- 
dictions of a false religion, without making all religion 
appear ridiculous, — I know no work which has greater 
power than the '* Dissuasive" of Taylor ; except that which, 
in many respects, it greatly resembles, the " Lettres Pro- 
vinciales" of Pascal. As a composition, these last, perhaps, 
have the superiority in dramatic effect, from the lively and 
eloquent dialogue in which the first part is conveyed, and 
which is, in some degree, carried on by the tone and spirit 
of the following letters. But it is of more importance to 
observe, in an estimate of the merits of the two authors, 
that all the arguments, the instances, the examples, the 
*' badinage" of Taylor, are urged for the sake of a definite 
and calculated end ; while Pascal's exposition of the morals 
of the Jesuits and the politics of the court of Rome, conduct 
to consequences which the author was not prepared to adopt, 
and from which he would have shrunk back in horror. 

The " Dissuasive" is divided into three chapters ; the first 
devoted to the exposure of the different innovations whicli 
the church and court of Rome have introduced into the 
faith and devotions, and ecclesiastical government of Chris- 
tians. In this he shows that the power of imposing new 
articles of belief is, in itself, a comparatively modern 
usurpation ; that the same charge of novelty and departure 
from apostolic and primitive authority may be brought 
against indulgences, purgatory, transubstantiation and half- 
communion ; the injunction of public prayers in a foreign or 
obsolete language; the veneration of images; the pictures 



244 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

of God ; the papal supremacy , the invocation of saints ; and 
the supposed insufficiency of Scripture without tradition. 

On all these subjects he evinces a knowledge not only 
of the fathers, but the schoolmen, tht divines of the middle 
ages, and the modern Romish disputants ; which few of his 
antagonists could equal, and, perhaps, still fewer Protestants 
could have supplied. 

Against the alleged power of the church to dictate an 
article of faith, he urges the words of St. Paul, (Gal. i. 8.) 
the sentence of the third general council, held at Ephesus, 
and the notorious abuses of this power by the Romish 
church, who have determined points of history in opposition 
to known authorities, and continually, though gradually, 
added to the ancient staple of orthodoxy. 

Against the antiquity of indulgences he brings the testi- 
mony of many of their own writers, and fixes their com- 
mencement either in the 12th or the beginning of the 13th 
century. He urges the perfect silence of all antiquity on 
the subject, and that, in their origin, they were no abatement 
of any supposed sufferings in purgatory, but a simple 
absolution from some part of that penance which the con- 
fessor had imposed on his living penitent. And though 
indulgences were, in the time of the fathers, unknown, 
and no definite censure of them is, therefore, to be looked 
for in their writings, yet there are in those writings, as well 
as in Scripture, very many passages destructive of the 
principle on which indulgences rest ; as where the greatest 
saints are enjoined to regard themselves as unprofitable 
servants ; where we are taught that repentance merely 
consists in a return to a good life and a sound and active 
faith ; and, more particularly, where we find, as in St. 
Gregory of Nyssa, St. Chrysostom, St. Augustine, and St. 
Bernard, the custom discommended of going to seek pardon 
of sins by pilgrimage. 

The same subject he pursues when discussing the ques- 
tion of purgatory, which doctrine he judiciously distinguishes 
from the really ancient doctrine or practice of prayer for the 
dead, and of which he proves the origin to reach no further 
back than the eleventh century after Christ, and then to 
have been held as no article of faith, but merely a speculative 
opinion. He proves its derogation from the merits of the 



LIFE OF JJ:REMV TAYLOR, D.D. 245 

blood of Christ, and instances the folly of those legends on 
the credit of which the notion first gained ground among 
mankind. The other instances contained in the first chapter 
lie follows up with the same critical acumen, and concludes 
with the observation, that the Romanists " have taught every 
priest that can scarce understand his breviary, (of which, in 
Ireland, there are but too many,) and many of the people, 
to ask, * where our religion was before Luther V Whereas 
it appears by the premises, that it is much more easy for us 
to show our religion before Luther, than for them to show 
theirs before Trent. And although they can show too much 
practice of their religion in the degenerate ages of the 
church, yet we can and do clearly show ours in the purest 
and first ages ; and can and do draw lines, pointing to the 
times and places where the several rooms and stories of their 
Babel werebuilded, and where polished, and where furnished. 
" But when the keepers of the field slept, and the enemy 
had sown tares, and they had choked the wheat and almost 
destroyed it ; when the world complained of the infinite 
errors in the church, and being oppressed by a violent 
power, durst not complain so much as they had cause : and, 
when they who had cause to complain, were yet themselves 
very much abused, and did not complain in all they might ; 
when divers excellent persons, when almost all Christian 
princes did complain heavily of the corrupt state of the 
church and of religion, and no remedy could be had, but the 
very intended remedy" [the general council,] '* made things 
much worse, then it was that divers Christian kingdoms, and 
particularly the Church of England — 

(' Turn primiim, senio docilis, tua saecula, Roma, 
Erubuit ; pudet exacti jam temporis, odit 
Praeteritos foedis cum religionibus aniios !') 

being ashamed of the errors, superstitions, heresies, and 
impieties, which had deturpated the face of the church, 
looked in the glass of Scripture and pure antiquity ; and 
washed away those stains with which time, and inadvertency, 
and tyranny, had besmeared her ; and being thus cleansed 
and washed, is accused by the Roman parties of novelty, 
and condemned, because she refuses to run into the same 



24G LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

excess of. riot and deordination. But we cannot deserve 
blame, who return to our ancient and first health, by prefer- 
ring a new cure before an old sore''." 

The second chapter relates to those doctrines and practices 
of the Roman church, which ** in themselves, or in their true 
and immediate consequences, direct impieties and give war- 
ranty to a wicked life/' 

In this part of his work, after exposing the danger of the 
Romish doctrines as to the legality of delaying repentance ; 
proving the inefficacy of what they call attrition, and the 
defective estimate which they make of that contrition which 
only can find favour with God ; pointing out the practical 
mischief resulting from confession, penance, and satisfaction, 
as now used by them ; and cross-examining and comparing 
the various and contradictory requisites which, even accord- 
ing to the estimate of their own doctors, are necessary to 
make indulgences available ; he goes on to discuss their 
erroneous distinctions between mortal and venial sins; and 
their fancy that the opinion of one grave doctor is enough to 
make a matter of faith or duty " probable." 

He here instances many of the abominable practical tenets 
which have, on this pretence, been received, or, at least, 
tolerated ; the cases in Toletanus, noticed by Pascal, that, 
** if a nobleman be set upon and may escape by going away, 
he is not tied to it, but may kill him that intends to strike 
him with a stick," — " that mortal sins become venial when 
done in the violence of passion or drunkenness ;" — that '' it 
is lawful for a man to expose his bastards to the hospital, to 
conceal his own shame ;" — that *' if one of a married couple 
falls into heresy, the marriage is dissolved, and the other may 
marry another ;" with many similar circumstances of horror 
and absurdity. 

Nor can it be pleaded, he observes, in any of these cases, 
that such an opinion is but the private opinion of one or 
more of their doctors. This would, indeed, in an article of 
faith, be an insufficient proof of the opinion of the church in 
general ; but as a rule of life, and in questions between virtue 
and vice, it is their own avowed and general principle, that 

° Vol. X. pp. 185, 18G. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOU, O.D. 247 

" a private opinion of any one grave doctor may be safely 
followed, or the example of good men." Accordingly, he 
observes, " if an evil custom get amongst men, tliat very 
custom shall legitimate the action, and Christ is not your 
rule, but the examples of them that live with you, or are in 
your eye and observation/' Those who shall compare these 
sections with the corresponding passages in the *' Lcttres 
Provinciales," w^ill receive no small share both of amusement 
and advantage ; but they will see little reason to postpone 
the genius of Taylor to that of the learned and witty French- 
man. In piety, it is useless and unnecessary to compare 
such men as they were, the daily conversation of each of 
whom was elevated above the world, and who have long- 
since met in peace and happiness amid the quiet shades 
of paradise. 

The following sections are taken up with discussing the 
foreign or obsolete language of the Romish prayers, the 
idolatrous nature of many of them, the strange impiety of 
their system of exorcism ; (where he goes over much of the 
same ground with Reginald Scott, in his *' Discovery of 
Witchcraft ;") their confidence in observances merely super- 
stitious and unauthorized ; their reliance on the " opus 
operatum" of the sacraments, so as to make them not the 
" instrument," but " the suppletory of virtue;" their direct 
idolatry in honouring the cross and certain images, even 
with " latria," or the highest degree of worship which can 
be paid to the Deity. And he winds up all by observing, 
that " although we do not doubt, but that the goodness of 
God does so prevail over all the follies and malice of man- 
kind, that there are in the Roman communion many very 
good Christians, yet they are not such as they are Papists, 
but by something that is higher and before that, something 
that is of an abstract or more sublime consideration. And, 
though the good people amongst them are what they are by 
the grace and goodness of God, yet by all or any of these 
opinions they are not so ; but the very best suffer diminution 
and alloy by these things ; and very many are wholly sub- 
verted and destroyed P. 

In the last chapter he returns again to the casuistry of 

1' Vol. X. p. 246. 



248 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

the church of Rome, and the immoral tendency of many of 
her doctrines, more particularly those which teach that the 
pope may, under certain circumstances, and to obtain a 
greater good, dispense with even lawful oaths, and the most 
solemn and innocent engagements. He urges also the 
exemption pleaded by their clergy from the temporal power 5 
and the extravagant notions of the right of popes to excom- 
municate, depose, and even condemn to death, heretical 
princes. In these observations, however, I am not aware 
that there is any thing worth particular notice. Enough 
may have been already said to prove the work of which I 
am speaking to be, for its length, one of the fullest and ablest 
expositions of the errors of popery, and to place Jeremy Taylor 
on as high an elevation among controversial as among devo- 
tional and practical writers. 

The second part of the ** Dissuasive from Popery'' was 
written in vindication of the former from the attacks of two 
priests. White and Serjeant, the latter of whom, more parti- 
cularly, he severely chastises in the Introduction, for the 
slighting manner in which he had spoken of Scripture, and 
the absurd and illogical character of many of his objections. 
In the same place, he discusses, at considerable length and 
with much acuteness, the nature and real value of tradition, 
and he exposes the Romish notion of the infallibility of the 
fathers, laying down some admirable rules for the manner in 
which their authority may be used in the interpretation of 
Scripture, and in ascertaining the sense of the church at the 
times in which they respectively flourished. He concludes, 
that Mr. Serjeant and his party were, in truth, the men that 
went on no adequate grounds : that '' in the Church of Rome 
there is no * sure footing,' no certain acknowledged rule of 
faith ; but, while they call for an assent above the nature and 
necessity of the thing, they have no warrant beyond the 
greatest uncertainty." 

The work itself is divided into two books, each containing 
several sections. In the first he treats of the meaning of 
the term " church," under which he includes not the clergy 
only, nor a small part of them, but the great body of be^ 
lievers. He shows, that even those assemblies, which, under 
the name of " general councils," have passed for repre- 
sentatives of the church, were, in ancient times, composed 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 249 

not of bishops only, but other eminent clergymen, and, not in- 
frequently, of laymen ; and he examines, in a very free tone, 
and one which, in many instances, reminds us of the bt;ttcr 
parts of Jortin, — the slight claims which most of those 
councils have had to pass for oecumenical ; the variable and 
capricious distinctions which the Church of Rome has made 
in the different degrees of authority which she ascribes to 
different councils, and the vague, and, in some cases, impos- 
sible tests which she proposes of their validity. He then 
proceeds to the decisions of the popes, proving from the 
innumerable contradictions of those briefs themselves, from 
the impossibility, which their own canonists mutually allow, 
of knowing which is the true pope, when there are different 
pretenders to the see ; or whether he that is acknowledged 
pope may not have vitiated his election by simony, heresy ; 
or, as in the case of Constantine the Second, defect of holy 
orders, how hard it may be for a Roman Catholic, even 
on the received principles of his faith, to determine whether 
he is in the church or no, or what head he ought to follow. 
And, after examining and exposing, in a striking peroration, 
the fifteen marks of the true church proposed by Bellar- 
mine, he concludes with exhorting them to demonstrate their 
church, if they can, *' in the prescript of the law, of the pro- 
phets, of the Psalms, of the evangelists, and all the canonical 
authorities of the holy books '^." 

Having thus shown the utter insufficiency of the guides 
rehed on by the Romish church, he now proceeds to show, 
in his second chapter, the sufficiency of the sacred volume 
as a guide to salvation. 

To prove that the Scriptures are the only rule of faith 
acknowledged by antiquity, he pleads the testimonies of 
almost all the most considerable ecclesiastical writers, and 
the very name of canon or " rule," which the universal 
church has given to the Bible. '* The word itself," he ob- 
serves, " ends this inquiry ; for it cannot be a canon, if any 
thing be put to it or taken from it, said St. Basil, St. Chry^ 
sostom, and Varinus." 

The pretence of tlie difficulty of the Scriptures, wliich 
the Romanists have always urged, and which some Pro- 

-J Vol. X. p. 38;i. 



250 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

testants, to answer a temporary purpose, have, sometimes, 
too largely asserted, — he answers by the declarations of 
Cyril, Chrysostom, Clemens Alexandrinus, Athanasius, and 
Augustine; confining the ^tycvo^jm to such points alone as 
are not necessary to salvation ; stating the rule of anti- 
quity that Scripture is to be expounded by Scripture ; and 
that, though God has given other helps in the appointment 
and preservation of an order of men as guides of souls, yet 
these last are bound to draw all their doctrines from this 
single and sacred fountain. A very interesting and amusing 
chapter on " Traditions" follows, in which he proves that no 
necessary article of faith depends on tradition alone ; except 
it be that which is, in the first instance, necessary to the 
reception of the Scriptures themselves, the tradition that 
they are the word of God, and a sufficient guide to heaven. 

Of the particulars which Cardinal Perron, and others, 
have pretended to rest on tradition only, he shows that 
(1.) The Trinity may be proved from Scripture, and was so 
proved at the Nicene council. That (2.) for the baptism of 
infants there is, at least, a strong presumption from the words 
and analogy of Scripture ; and that, after all, as he seems to 
account it, it is hardly an essential of salvation. The validity 
of the baptism of heretics, which is instanced (3.), could 
never, he says, have been doubted, if men had duly weighed 
the commission which Christ gave to all ministers of his 
religion. (4.) The procession of the Holy Ghost both from 
the Father and the Son, he treats with little ceremony, as an 
obscure and doubtful question, which cannot be esteemed a 
necessary article of faith, without damning all the eastern 
churches ; — but which may, nevertheless, be probably shown 
from the sacred writings. (5.) The observation of the Lord's 
day he denies to be an article of faith, or essentially neces- 
sary doctrine; regarding it as a matter of discipline and 
external rite, and so far from being a successor or substitute 
for the Jewish sabbath, (which was done away with entirely 
in the abolition of the Mosaic law,) that both days were, at 
first, kept by the Christians with equal reverence; yet "both 
with liberty, but with intuition to the avoiding offences, and 
the interests of religion." ^ — He observes, however, it may be 
abundantly proved from Scripture, that there should be some 
time sanctified and set apart for the service of God ; and " that 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 251 

the circumstances of religion are in the power of tlic pre- 
sidents of religion ; and then it will follow from Scripture, 
that the apostles, or their successors, or whoever did appoint 
the Sunday festival, had not only great reason but full 
authority^" 

lie then proceeds to give many instances of alleged tra- 
ditions of contradictory import, — of inherent absurdity, and 
of dates notoriously modern. He lays down, as a proper cri- 
terion in all such controversies, the well-known canon of 
Vincentius Lirinensis; and, by the application of this rule, 
arrives at the consequence, that " all the doctrines of faith 
and good life are contained in the plain places of Scripture ; 
and besides it th^re are, and there can be, no articles of 
faith." 

The same topic he discusses in the two following chapters, 
to nearly the same effect, and employing nearly the same 
arguments as he had done in his '' Liberty of Prophesying;" 
establishing the Apostles' Creed as the only necessary rule 
of belief, and exposing, with considerable energy, the mon- 
strous power assumed by the court of Rome, of introducing 
into the confessions of the church new articles of faith, and 
altering and suppressing the Catholic doctrine. That they 
claim and exert such a power he proves by the writings of 
their own doctors; — by the alterations which they have 
notoriously introduced in the practice and professions of 
the ancient church; — by the frauds and pretended miracles 
to which they have recurred in order to establish sucli 
novelties ; frauds which have been, in many instances, ac- 
knowledged, with shame, by their own ablest partizans ; and 
miracles which, by the common testimony of Scripture and 
the ancient fathers, however pretended, ought to be of no 
force to establish a doctrine against Scripture and the 
consent of antiquity. In the sixth section he proceeds still 
further to make good his charge by a curious history of 
expurgatory indices ; and, in the seventh, he charges them, 
that, "having done these things to propagate their new doc- 
trines, and to suppress those which are more ancient and 
catholic ; they are so implacably angry at all that dissent 
from them, that they not only kill them, where they have power, 
but damn them all, so far as their sentence can prevail." 

Page 437. 



252 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

This is a very impressive and interesting chapter. He 
shows the unchristian spirit of such a procedure by the fact 
that God has reserved all judgment to himself; that his 
mercy absolves many persons who, in his just judgment, 
were condemned ; and that it becomes a Christian to act, 
therefore, on the principle generally adopted by Protestants, 
and to judge no man's person, far less any states of men. 

" Besides these things," he proceeds, " there is a strange 
spring and secret principle in every man's understanding, 
that it is oftentimes turned about by such impulses of which 
no man can give any account. We all remember a most 
wonderful instance of it, in the disputation between the two 
Reynolds, John and William ; the former of which being a 
Papist, and the latter a Protestant, met and disputed with a 
purpose to confute and to convert each other, and so they 
did : for those arguments which were used prevailed fully 
against their adversary, and yet did not prevail with them- 
selves. The Papist turned Protestant, and the Protestant 

became a Papist, and so remained to their dying day." 

" But, further yet, he [the consistent Protestant] considers 
the natural and regular infirmities of mankind; and God 
considers them much more. He knows that in man there is 
nothing admirable but his ignorance and his weakness ; his 
prejudices, and the infallible certainty of being deceived in 
many things ; he sees that wicked men oftentimes know 
much more than very good men; and that the understanding 
is not of itself considerable in morality, and effects nothing 
in rewards and punishments : it is the will only that rules 
man, and can obey God. He sees, and deplores it, that 
many men study hard and understand little ; that they dis- 
pute earnestly, and understand not one another at all ; that 
affections creep in so certainly and mingle with their arguing, 
that the argument is lost, and nothing remains but the con- 
flict of two adversaries' affections ; that a man is so willing, 
so easy, so ready to believe what makes for his opinion ; so 
hard to understand an argument against himself; that it is 
plain it is the principle within, not the argument without, 
that determines him. He observes also, that all the world, 
(a few individuals excepted,) are unalterably determined to 
the religion of their country, of their family, of their society ; 
that there is never any considerable change made, but what 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 253 

is made by war and empire, by fear and hope. He remem- 
bers, that it is a rare thing to see a Jesuit of the Dominican 
opinion, or a Dominican (until of late,) of the Jesuit ; but 
every order gives laws to the understanding of their novices, 
and they never change. He considers there is such ambi- 
guity in words, by which all lawgivers express their meaning ; 
that there is such abstruseness in mysteries of religion, that 
some things are so much too high for us, that we cannot 
understand them rightly; and yet they are so sacred and 
concernitig, that men will think they are bound to look into 
them as far as they can ; that it is no wonder if they quickly 
go too far, where no understanding, if it were fitted for it, 
could go far enough ; but in these things it will be hard not 
to be deceived ; since our words cannot rightly express those 
things ; that there is such variety of human understandings, 
that men's faces differ not so much as their souls; and that, 
if there were not so much difficulty in things, yet they could 
not but be variously apprehended by several men : and then, 
considering that, in twenty opinions, it may be, not one of 
them is true;" — " and every man is too apt to overvalue his 
own opinion, — and as he loves those that think as he does, 
so he is ready to hate them that do not ; and then, secretly, 
from wishing evil to him, he is apt to believe that evil will 
come, and that it is just it should : and, by this time, the 
opinion is troublesome, and puts other men on their guard 
against it, and then, while passion reigns, and reason is 
modest and patient, and talks not loud like a storm, victory 
is more regarded than truth, and men call God into the 
party; and his judgments are used for arguments, and the 
threatenings of Scripture are snatched up in haste, and men 
throw ' arrows, fire-brands, and death,' and by this time all 
the world is in an uproar. All this, and a thousand things 
more, the English Protestants considering, deny not their 
communion to any Christian who desires it, and believes the 
Apostles' Creed, and is of the religion of the four first general 
councils ; they hope well of all that live well ; they receive 
into their bosom all true believers of what church soever; 
and for them that err, they instruct them, and then leave 
them to their own liberty to stand or fall before their own 
master '." 

' pp. 508, 510. 



254 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

Such were the latest opinions (for this, as I have already 
elsewhere observed, was the latest work,) of the author of 
the " Liberty of Prophesying;" and so far, I repeat, was he, 
when himself in possession of power and dignity, from re- 
nouncing or obscuring his own previous sentiments. 

Of the remaining sections of the work, a less exact 
account may be sufficient. 

In the ninth section he goes on to urge, that the Church 
of Rome " teaches as doctrines the commandments of men ;" 
and in the tenth and eleventh, with which the first book con- 
cludes, he discusses the topic of auricular confession, at greater 
length, but to nearly the same purport with the language which 
he had held in his sermon on the Gunpowder Treason. — The 
second book, which is divided into seven sections, is occupied 
in making good, and extending the arguments employed in 
the first part of the "Dissuasive," — on the subjects of Indul- 
gences; Purgatory; Transubstantiation ; the Half Commu- 
nion ; Service in an unknown Tongue ; the Worship of 
Images ; and Picturing God the Father and the Holy Tri- 
nity. — These subjects he may be almost said to have exhausted. 
It is certain, at least, that he has accumulated on each a 
vast body of various and recondite information, applied to 
the point in question with great acuteness and good sense, 
and conveyed in very easy and spirited language. On the 
whole, though it is no more than natural and reasonable, 
that essays which apply to the daily actions, and the necessary 
belief of all Christians, should be preferred, in the daily 
studies of the greater number, to those which have reference 
to subordinate distinctions, and lead us through the thorny 
mazes of controversy ; yet, as specimens of talent and 
acquirement, the two " Dissuasives" are, I conceive, not 
inferior to any of his most popular productions ; and it is 
even possible that they will be read by many with less 
weariness, and a more sustained, though a different kind 
of pleasure, than the unmingled and almost interminable 
wilderness of sweets, which characterizes his earlier and less 
argumentative writings. 

Nor are they only those immediately interested in the dis- 
putes between the Protestants and the Roman Catholics, who 
may find themselves amused and instructed by the manner in 
which Taylor discusses them, and derive abundant informa- 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 255 

tion, and rational entertainment, from tlie two parts of the Dis- 
suasive. Whoever takes a pleasure in the history of Chris- 
tianity, and of the human mind ; in tracing the progress 
from small beginnings, of the most extensive and portentous 
changes; in e'stimating the amount of those corruptions 
which, in the lapse of ages, and from various causes, have 
been introduced into doctrines and practices the most simple 
and sacred; and in observing, nevertheless, even amid the 
greatest spread of those corruptions, how strangely the 
providence of God has raised up eminent persons to bear 
witness against them; — will find the time very profitably 
and agreeably employed, which he bestows on Taylor's 
controversial writings. 

There is a trifling error in the beginning of his introduction 
to the second part, which would, in another person, have 
been hardly w^orth notice ; but which I should not have 
expected to meet with in one, who, like Taylor, had paid a 
more than common attention to the w^orks of the Rabbins. 

"" When our blessed Saviour," he tells us, " was casting 
out the evil spirit from the poor demoniac in the Gospel, he 
asked his name, and he answered, * My name is Legion, for 
w^e are many.' — Legion is a Roman word, and signifies an 
army, as Roman signifies Catholic*," 8cc. It is singular 
that he had overlooked the fact, that " legion" among the 
Jews, was the name usually given to the individual who 
commanded a large body of soldiers, and answered, in fact, 
to " general," or *' colonel." It was therefore properly 
assumed by the single spirit who spoke in the name of the 
rest, and exercised authority over them; whereas, had it 
been used as a noun of multitude, it would have been, not 
*' my name," but " ours." — The observation is of some use, 
in clearing up an expression of Scripture; but Taylor's witti- 
cism will, in consequence, fall to the ground". 

In his Great Exemplar, while commenting on the second 
commandment, he had said, " God forbade to tlie Jews the 
very having and making images and representments, not 
only of the true God, or of false and imaginary deities, but 



* Vol. X. p. 2G5. 

" See Buxtorf. Lex. Tulmiul., p. 1123, ad voc. p-j"?, and Sr'clilcusner, ad 
voc. \iycuv. V. 



256 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

of visible creatures "." In the second part of the Dissuasive, 
he says> on the contrary, — " Neither the second command- 
ment, nor the ancient fathers in their commentaries on them, 
did absolutely prohibit all making of images ; but all that 
were made for religious worship, and in order to adoration, 
according as it is expressed in him, who, among the Jews, 
collected the negative precepts which Arias Montanus trans- 
lated into Latin ; the second of which is, * signum cultus 
causa ne facito;' the third, * simulachrum divinum nullo 
pacto conflato ;' the fourth, ' signa religiosa nulla ex materia 
facito^.'" 

Of the two opinions, it is hardly necessary to observe, 
that the latter is shown, by the brazen serpent of Moses, 
and by the cherubim, oxen, and lions of Solomon, to be the 
ancient and true explication of the second commandment. 

The letters to persons seduced or tempted to the Church 
of Rome, are not ill adapted to their object, but offer nothing 
which calls for particular observation here. One which 
accompanies them, and stands second in the series, to a lady 
converted from the Church of Rome to that of England, is, 
however, highly characteristic of its author, as endeavouring 
to recall the attention of his pupil from polemics, to practical 
religion and morality, and evincing that he had been chiefly 
anxious to make her a Protestant, in order that she might 
be more pure, more holy, more eminently Christian, in pro- 
portion as her mode of faith was rational and apostolical. 

The *' Discourse of Confirmation,'' is preceded by a 
dedication to the duke of Ormond, in which the author, after 
some lamentations over the dilapidated and divided state of 
the Irish church, advances, with apparent approbation, a 
whimsical fancy of " some wise and good men," that, 
" when baptized Christians are confirmed and solemnly 
blessed by the bishop, then it is, that a special angel-guardian 
is appointed to keep their souls from the assaults of the 
spirits of darkness." — This solemn trifling (for, in our 
profound ignorance of the world of spirits, it is nothing 
more,) is not calculated to give a very advantageous im- 
pression of the work which it introduces; and, in fact, I 
cannot consider it as a favourable specimen of his genius. 

^ Vol. ill. p. 14. y Vol. xi. p. 153. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOli, D.D. 257 

In the introduction, however, is a passage of no common 
eloquence, — where, while describing the assistance of the 
Holy Ghost, as supplied to Christians, he compares the new 
to the old creation, and describes the Spirit as a second 
time *' moving upon the face of the waters." — " By him 
we live, in him we walk, by his aids we pray, by his emotions 
we desire : we breathe, and sigh, and groan, by him : he 
helps in all our infirmities, and he gives us all our strengths : 
he reveals mysteries to us, and teaches us all our duties : 
he stirs us up to holy desires, and he actuates those desires : 
he maketh us to will and to do of his good pleasure''." 

The work itself consists of seven sections, in which he 
undertakes to prove, the divine institution of the rite of 
confirmation; — its perpetuity; — its practice by the primitive 
churches ; — its exclusive administration by bishops ; — its 
essential parts, which he defines to be prayer and imposition 
of hands ; — its blessed efi'ects, and the preparation necessary 
for it. 

To show that confirmation is a divinely instituted rite, 
and to be proved from Scripture, he alleges, first, the descent 
of the Holy Ghost on our Lord, not during, but after his 
baptism ; and secondly, the words of Christ to Nicodemus, 
declaring the necessity of baptism, " by water and the 
Spirit." 

Neither of these can, as I conceive, be esteemed conclu- 
sive. The former is no more an example for Christians, 
than any other of the long train of wonders and displays of 
supernatural power, which accompanied and established his 
divine mission, can be said to be examples to us. — If it 
proved any thing with respect to the manner of initiating 
new members into his mystical body, it would rather prove 
that the grace of the Holy Ghost was, without any further 
outward ceremony, to be a necessary consequence of bap- 
tism ; and this, in fact, is all which those expressions of the 
fathers can be fairly said to imply, which Taylor quotes as 
agreeing in his application of the miracle. 

The second is, at first sight, more plausible, since our 
Saviour is, throughout his discourse with Nicodemus, im- 
pressing on the mind of the Jewish elder, the necessity of 

' Vol. xi. p. 229. 

S 



258 LIFE OF JEREIMY TAYLOU, D.D. 

an entrance into his religion, by the public and usual rites 
of initiation. But the fact that confirmation was really one 
of those rites, will yet remain to be proved ; and, as regenera- 
tion by the Holy Ghost is on all hands allowed to be the 
consequences of baptism, by itself, and even where no 
confirmation is superadded, — the expression is more naturally 
understood, and has been, in fact, so understood by the 
greater part of orthodox commentators, as merely declaratory 
of the spiritual benefits which were to follow the external 
rite of water. 

There is, indeed, a dangerous consequence attendant on 
both Taylor's arguments, that, by limiting the gift of the 
Holy Ghost to confirmation, he makes baptism, taken by 
itself, of none effect, or, at most, of no further eflfect, 
than as a decent and necessary introduction to that which 
would be, on this hypothesis, the main and distinctive 
consignation of a Christian. To this objection Taylor him- 
self was not insensible ; and he endeavours to escape from 
it, by a still more dangerous admission, that confirmation is, 
really, as generally necessary as baptism or the Lord's 
Supper, which is, in fact, to contradict the express doctrine 
of our church, and formally to elevate it to the rank of a 
sacrament''. How little he is borne out in such doctrines 
by the figurative expressions of the fathers, ivhen speaking of 
baptismal regeneration, will appear from a reference even to 
those passages on which he relies. And how unnecessary 
such a novel hypothesis is to the obligation and importance 
of the ceremony in question, may appear from the far better 
arguments which he afterwards produces in its favour ; from 
the known practice of the apostles, in the case of the Sama- 
ritan converts ; and from the fact, that imposition of hands 
is classed by St. Paul among the fundamental doctrines of 
Christianity ^. 

That confirmation was not a temporary rite, or to lose its 
inward and ordinary blessing when the visible and miraculous 
gifts were withdrawn, which, in the first ages of the church, 
attended it, he proves from the analogy of other external 
rites, which had equally, in the first ages, extraordinary 
effects and miraculous consignations, but which, as in tlie 

^ Vol. xi. pp. 244, 245. ^ Hebrews, vi. 1, 2. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 259 

case of preaching, prayer, &c., are allowed by all parties to 
be still necessary, though such obvious and wonderful fruits 
are no longer to be anticipated from them. 

The ordinary and internal graces of the Spirit are promised, 
as he observes, to all ages of the church ; and though our 
consignation is by a secret power, and the work is within, — 
" it does not therefore follow, that the external rite is not 
also intended," wherever that consignation is spoken of in 
Scripture. 

" For the rite is so wholly for the mystery, and the 
outward for the inward, and yet, by the outward, God so 
usually and regularly gives the inward, that as no man is to 
rely upon the external ministry, as if the ' opus cperatum' 
would do the whole duty ; so no maa is to neglect the 
external, because the internal is the more principal. The 
mistake in this particular hath caused great contempt of 
the sacraments and rituals of the church, and is the ground 
of the Socinian errors in these questions *"." 

That it was the uniform custom of the primitive church, 
and every where (except, perhaps, in Egypt, where he does 
not satisfactorily get rid of a strong testimony of St. 
Ambrose,) confined to the ministration of the bishop alone ; 
that the essential parts of the rite are prayer, and imposition 
of hands, — and that the use of oil, though very ancient, is 
of ecclesiastical institution only, he proves with sufficient 
clearness in the three following sections. In the sixth, he 
ably, though in a simple and unambitious style, states the 
spiritual benefits of which confirmation is the outward and 
appointed means, — and, in the last, discusses the proper age 
and preparation for the ceremony. 

In speaking of the proper age of candidates, he holds an 
opinion at variance with the usual practice of the Church of 
Enoland, which is seldom to admit them to the solemn rite 
till they are fourteen or fifteen years of age. He, on the 
contrary, recommends receiving them much earlier, — " the 
sooner the better, I mean, after that reason begins to dawn ; " 
provided only that " the children be catechized, and well 
instructed in the fundamentals of religion." 

He proceeds, with an earnest recommendation of the 

'^ Page 254. 



260 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

ancient custom of catechizing, in which he observes, by the 
way, that what is called exorcism, in the ancient church, was 
not, as is vulgarly supposed, an attempt to eject the devil 
out of innocent children, but that the exorcist was only 
another word for catechist ; — and he then winds up his 
argument with a short and energetic peroration, on the 
blessings derived from, and the obligations attached to, an 
attendance on the rite which he has thus vindicated. 

On the whole, the learning and piety of this little tract 
are not unworthy of Taylor, and he deserves, at least, the 
praise of having made out his point satisfactorily. But, 
except this learning and this piety, there is, perhaps, scarcely 
any thing else in the Essay on Confirmation, which would 
mark it as his writing. He has not, indeed, slept over his 
task ; but it cannot be said that he has drawn his bow to the 
full extent of his usual force and vigour. And we shall be, 
perhaps, the more struck with this inferiority, if we compare 
it with the little Essay on Friendship, which follows next in 
the present series, and which may be considered, without 
impropriety, as the earliest of his casuistic writings. 

Of the lady to whom it is addressed I have already 
spoken ; and she, certainly, deserves some credit for having 
suggested such a theme to Taylor, inasmuch as it was 
calculated, more than most others, to elicit the fires of his 
peculiar eloquence. It was a topic, also, on which his good 
sense and practical wisdom (of which qualities few men of 
equal genius have had a larger share,) were likely to furnish 
very valuable rules, for the maintenance of affection in its 
just temper; for the increase and preservation of our interest 
in the breast of the beloved individual; and for the subjection 
and devotion of even our best and strongest feelings, to that 
common Father, from whom all pure affection flows. — 
Accordingly, he has produced a splendid and powerful essay, 
which, though the fair and enthusiastic Orinda should seem 
to have preferred the forgotten one of Mr. Francis Finch, 
will not appear, to the generality of readers, to derogate 
from the high character of his greater and more laboured 
performances. 

He begins, however, with a paradox, of which I am not 
sure that it does not rest on a quibble. He tells his cor- 
respondent, that friendshijj, in the sense under which we 



LIFE OF JEllKMY' TAYLOR, D.D. 2G1 

commonly use the term, — "is not so much as named in 
the New Testament ;" and he accounts for this, by saying, 
that *' the greatest love, and the greatest usefulness, and the 
most open communication, and the noblest sufferings, and 
the most exemplar faithfulness, and the severest truth, and 
the heartiest counsel, and the greatest union of mind, of 
which brave men and women are capable/' are, under the 
Christian term of Charity, potentially due from us to all 
mankind, and directly, therefore, opposed to that affection, 
which is " like the sun peepiiy>: through a chink," or " his 
beams drawn into the centre of a burnins; o;lass." 

That charity, in this sense, is not friendship, is most 
true, since it is the general principle of affection, of which 
friendship is an application to particular instances, in com- 
pliance with that imperfection of our nature, and those 
circumstances of society, which limit our active affections, 
and our confidential intercourse (like our alms, and our 
personal intercessions,) to those with whom we are brought 
in contact, and ¥/ho only are, therefore, susceptible of our 
service or our tenderness. 

But this limitation, and particular application of the 
common principle, he himself allows to be natural and 
necessary ; and he admits, that the good and glorious Person, 
who, in his human nature, has given us the most perfect 
example of the best application and employment of all our 
natural affections, has left us instances, in his own conduct, 
of that condensed and distinctive love, which he felt for 
one of the apostles, in a greater degree, than for the remain- 
ing eleven, and for the family of Lazarus, more than for the 
great mass of those w^ho believed on him. 

This, which the Christian Scriptures call cluiritj/, as 
being a particular application of the general grace, he admits, 
in philosophy, is called '* friends/iip.'' But if the thing be 
named, though under a different term, in the New Testament, 
his assertion, that it does not occur, must resolve itself into 
a quibble only. And, in fact, though we have translated 
dyarau, and dya'rr], perhaps, too indiscriminately, by the 
common and genuine term of " love," and tlie almost 
technical term of " charity," — it would be easy to show, 
not only that the corresponding word in Hebrew is applied 
to the " friendship" of David and Jonathan, but that dyarau 



262 LIFE OF JERKMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

is used in the New Testament, as strictly synonymous 
with the proper Greek term of friendship, ^/Xsw, and that it 
is apphed, both there, and in the classical writers, to express 
not only " love" in its exalted sense, but a much slighter 
degree of*' liking," or " approbation'*." 

His doctrine, however, that friendship is the application to 
a particular person, of the love which, but for the weakness 
of our nature, we should feel for all, is strictly philosophical, 
as well as Christian ; and there are few passages in his works 
more characteristic, more appropriate, or more beautiful, 
than the following illustration of the general principle. 

*' Thus, the sun is the eye of the world, and he is 
indifferent [impartial] to the negro, or the cold Russian ; to 
them that dwell under the line, [qu. Pole?] and them that 
stand near the tropics ; the scalded Indian, or the poor boy 
that shakes at the foot of the Riphean hills. But the flexures 
of the heaven and the earth, the conveniency of abode, and 
the approaches to the north and south respectively, change 
the emanations of his beams ; not that they do not pass 
always from him, but that they are not equally received 
below ; but by periods and changes, by little inlets and 
reflections, they receive what they can. And some have 
only a dark day and a long night from him ; snows and 
white cattle ; a miserable life, and a perpetual harvest of 
catarrhs and consumptions ; apoplexies and dead palsies. 
But some have splendid fires, and aromatic spices, rich 
wines, and well digested fruits, great wit, and great courage ; 
because they dwell in his eye, and look in his face, and are 
the courtiers of the sun, and wait upon him in his chambers 
of the east. Just so it is in friendships : some are worthy, 
and some are necessary ; some dwell hard by, and are fitted 
for converse ; nature joins some to us, and religion combines 
us with others ; society and accidents, parity of fortune, and 
equal dispositions, do actuate our friendships ; which, of 
themselves, and in their prime disposition, are prepared for 
all mankind, according as any one can receive them®." 

Having thus defined and explained the nature of friend- 
ship, — he goes on to observe, that ** there may be a special 
friendship contracted for any special excellency whatsoever ; 

'* 1 Sam. XX. 17. Schleiisner, ad voc. AyaTecu. ' Vol. xi. p. 304. 



203 

because friendships are nothing but love and society mixed 
together, that is, a conversing witli them whom we love ; 
now, for whatsoever we can love any one, for that we can be 
his friend ; and, since every excellency is a degree of ama- 
bility, every such worthiness is a just and proper motive of 
friendship or loving conversation." 

But all excellencies can only so far become the objects of 
friendship as they are or may be advantageous to our- 
selves. Even virtue itself, in the abstract, or as displayed 
towards God and mankind in general, though it be the best 
motive for esteem and honour, is not enough, he observes, 
'* to make a man my privado, my special and particular 
friend ;" but, if he be a good man — ;/^>j(rros avri^ — a k'uid and 
useful and amiable person, he is then such an one, as *' some 
will even dare to die for." 

'' If you suspect that this discourse can suppose friend- 
ship to be mercenary, and to be defective in the greatest 
worthiness of it, which is to love our friend for our friend's 
sake, I shall easily be able to defend myself; because I 
speak of the election and reasons of choosing friends. After 
he is chosen, do as nobly as you talk, and love as purely as 
you dream ; and let your conversation be as metaphysical as 
your discourse, and proceed in this method till you be con- 
futed by experience ; yet, till then, the case is otherwise 
when we speak of choosing one to be my friend. He is not 
my friend till I have chosen him or loved him ; and, if any 
man inquires whom he shall choose, or whom he should love, 
I suppose it ought not to be answered, that we should love 
him who hath least amability ; that we should choose liim 
who hath least reason to be chosen. But, if it be answered, 
he is to be chosen to be my friend who is most worthy in him- 
self, not he that can do most good to me, I say there is 
a distinction, but no difference ; for he is most worthy in 
himself who can do most good ; and, if he can love me too, 
that is, if he will do me all the good he can, or that I 
need, then he is my friend, and he deserves it." — " True and 
brave friendships are between worthy persons ; and there is 
in mankind no deo-ree of worthiness that is not also a dejxree 
of usefulness, and by every thing by which a man is excel- 
lent I may be profited : and because those are the bravest 
frieiids which can best serve the ends of friendshi])s, either 



264 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

we must suppose that friendships are not the greatest com- 
forts in the world ; or else we must say, he chooses his 
friend best, that chooses such a one by whom he can receive 
the greatest comforts and assistances ^" 

Still this obligation to choose our friends for their aptness 
to give us the greatest help, comfort, or pleasure, docs 
not lay on us the necessity of choosing always the best. 
You must not, he observes, choose a friend who is deficient 
in the essentials of friendship, who is not " honest and 
secret, just and true to a tittle ; but if he be wise at all, and 
useful in any degree, and as good as you can have him, you 
need not be ashamed to own your friendships, though some- 
times you may be ashamed of the imperfections of your 
friend." 

Even " fancy and little partialities ; a conformity of hu- 
mours and proportionable loves, and the beauty of the 
face, and a witty answer,'' he admits of as circumstances 
which may, in the first instance, produce a liking ; though 
he urges, with reason, that this Platonic and fanciful regard 
will never be maintained at the rate of a real friendship, 
" unless it be fed by pure materials, by worthinesses which 
are the food of friendship." — *' I will," he concludes, 
'* when I choose my friend, choose him that is the bravest, 
the worthiest, and most excellent person; and then your 
first question is soon answered. To love such a person, 
and to contract such friendships, is just so authorized by the 
principles of Christianity, as it is warranted to love wisdom 
and virtue, goodness and beneficence, and all the impresses 
of God upon the spirits of brave men." 

Under the next head, that of the limits of friendshij), he 
assigns no boundary to the affection and service which friend 
may show to friend, but the borders of vice and virtue, — a 
man may die for his friend, if that friend be a worthy and 
useful person ; he may sacrifice his property for his friend, 
if he does not transgress against the duty which he owes 
to his natural relations ; but he must not, like Pollux, kill 
the person who speaks slightingly of his friend, nor must 
he transo^ress the laws of God or man to serve him. 

In the same section are some very sensible observations 

* Pages 310—312. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 265 

as to the difference between friendship and filial or frater- 
nal love; on the circumstances which may render a friend 
more intimate than either a parent or a brother ; thougli no 
friend, he forcibly urges, can prudently or lawfully take pre- 
cedence of a wife or a husband. 

" The reason is, because marriage is the queen of friend- 
ships, in which there is a communication of all that can 
be communicated by friendship; and it being made sacred 
by vows and love, by bodies and souls, by interest and 
custom, by religion and by laws, by common counsels and 
common fortunes ; it is the principal in the kind of 
friendship, and the measure of all the rest. And there is 
no abatement to this consideration, but that there may be 
some allay in this as in other lesser friendships, by the 
incapacity of the persons. If I have not chosen my friend 
wisely or fortunately, he cannot be the correlative in the 
best union ; but then the friend lives as the soul does after 
death : it is in the state of separation, in which the soul 
strangely loves the body and longs to be re-united, but the 
body is an useless trunk, and can do no ministeries to the 
soul, v/hich therefore prays to have the body reformed 
and restored, and made a brave and fit companion : so must 
these best friends, when one is useless or unapt to the 
braveries of the princely friendship ; they must love ever, 
and pray ever, and long till the other be perfected and 
made fit : in this case there wants only the body, but the 
soul is still a relative, and must be so for ever." 

In the next inquiry, — " How friendships are to be con- 
ducted?" — he has given some very wise and useful, though 
moderate and indulgent advice, for the case of an intimacy 
between persons of different sexes ; where " not only the 
interest of their religion, and the care of their honour, 
but the worthiness of their friendship, require that their 
intercourse be prudent and free from suspicion or reproach." 
Yet even here he does not enjoin an implicit deference 
to " the noises of people :" and he subjoins a spirited 
and affectionate eulogium of the female character, and its 
fitness for all the noblest duties of friendship. 

He concludes his essay with some short rules of duty 
and prudence to be observed by one friend towards another, 
of which the practical wisdom is not inferior to the sim- 



266 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, t).D. 

plicity ; but for which it is necessary to refer my readers to 
the work itself, if they read the whole of which they will 
find the short labour well repaid^. 

That which follows next is of far greater bulk and 
labour. The necessity of such works as the *' Ductor Dubi- 
tantium" had, very plainly, its origin in those times, and 
amono' those sects of Christians with whom auricular confes- 
sion and priestly absolution were regarded as the duty of 
every penitent ; the preliminary of all celestial mercy. — 
When a body of many thousands persons, of various ages and 
all degrees of acquirement or capacity, were liable to become 
the depositaries of the most important or the most trifling 
secrets, and called on to pronounce authoritatively on the 
spiritual condition of all ranks and under all possible cir- 
cumstances, it was absolutely necessary that the more skil- 
ful of these confidential monitors should lay down rules 
for the less learned ; and that all precedents should be col- 
lected and preserved, which might lighten the labour, or 
guide the judgment, or diminish the responsibility, of the 
busy, the uninformed, the timid, or the diffident ministers of 
religion. 

And this necessity became the greater, in proportion 
as the abuses of the Romish superstition were multiplied. 
While the rules of faith were drawn from the apostles' 
creed, and the rules of conduct from the ten commandments ; 
while the terms of church communion were easy and perspi- 
cuous, and the church had laid no further burthen on her 
members than those few and simple customs and cere- 
monies which derived their sanction from the apostles and 
from Christ ; there was the less occasion to wander from so 
wide a road, and, from one so plain, whoever wandered was 
more easily detected and censured. 

But, when the commandments or inventions of men 
were taught under the same sanction with the doctrines of 
inspiration ; when prohibitions of things lawful or indifferent 
were multiplied without warrant or necessity ; and states of 
life and society, in themselves, unnatural were grafted on a 
creed which was at first the perfection of natural religion ; 
the feelings of men revolted against rules thus arbitrarily 

B Note (ZZ). 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOU, D.D. 267 

imposed ; while their consciences were not sufficiently en- 
lightened to make them satisfied that their revolt was inno- 
cent. The multitude of cases was thus greatly increased, 
which sought, at the hands of the confessor, for ghostly 
counsel and comfort ; and so inevitably does the commission 
of one supposed fault lead to others, that the habitual trans- 
pression of the commandment of the church seldom failed 
to carry men further into a neglect of the divine command- 
ments also ; till offences against general morality became 
more numerous, in proportion as the breach of ecclesiastical 
laws became more inevitable. 

It had been thus, in more ancient times, with the Jewish 
doctors, whose " hedge" of traditions and ceremonies ^ had 
only served to enroach on and block up the path of duty, 
and whose volumes of casuistry are sufficiently bulky, 
though they had not, among their institutions, so fruitful a 
mother of quibbles as the practice of confession. 

Among Christians of the Romish church, it may be 
easily understood how the indulgence of some spiritual 
guides ; — the ostentatious ingenuity of others ; — the desire, 
in a third party of conciliating wealthy and powerful sin- 
ners ; — and, in a fourth, the refinements of an impure 
curiosity, excited and employed by a great majority of the 
cases which came before them, — would produce a plentiful 
harvest of distinctions, provisions, abatements, and aggra- 
vations, sufficient, when duly stated, to distort, to almost any 
extent, the features of almost any action or course of actions. 

What mischief had, in this respect, been done by the 
Jesuit confessors and casuists, may be seen in several parts 
of Taylor's Dissuasive from Popery, and still more in the 
spirited invective of Pascal. But the matter grew still 
worse, when cases of conscience were brought into courts of 
law ; when the institutions of penance and ecclesiastical 
censure, as managed in the Church of Rome, and as com- 
muted for by pecuniary fines, became the subjects of legal 
argument, and of that perverse ingenuity which a counsel is 
generally expected to exert on behalf of his client. 

In civil courts, indeed, that ingenuity can produce but 
little harm; since it is avowedly exercised on the laws of 

^ " Ponere sepem legi." 



268 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

man alone, and since the eternal sanctions of morality remain 
entire and unbroken, whatever temporal consequences are 
incurred or averted by the parties. But the misfortune was, 
that the spiritual tribunal professed to exert an influence 
beyond the present world ; and when an equal danger of 
purgatory was incurred by a breach of a canon as of a 
commandment, and when the consequences of both the one 
and the other might be got rid of by a flaw in the indict- 
ment ; it is less strange that offences were multiplied, than it 
is that they were so far repressed by the general good 
feelings of mankind, and that efficacy which yet remained in 
the obscured and neglected Gospels. But as offences mul- 
tiplied, distinctions multiplied also ; and we cannot wonder, 
therefore, that the very title of the canon law was ** Con- 
cordantia Discordantiarum ;" that " the easy commandment 
was wrapped up in uneasy learning ; and, by the new 
methods, a simple and uncrafty man could hardly be wise 
unto salvation." "There is a wood before your doors, and 
a labyrinth within the wood, and locks and bars to every 
door in that labyrinth; and, after all, we are like to meet 
with unskilful guides; and yet, of all things in the world, in 
these things an error is the most intolerable \" 

But, while such had been the original occasion, and sucli 
the gradual but appalling progress of casuistry in the Church 
of Rome ; it was not very apparent why the reformed 
churches, who had shaken off" the accumulated load of ages, 
were again, without the same occasion, to begin to rebuild the 
fabric. Why, when their rule was brought back to its primitive 
simplicity, and the Scriptures which contained that rule were 
made accessible to all ; when they had restricted the lash of 
ecclesiastical censure to a very few, and those very palpable 
and notorious cases of public scandal ; and when, by leaving 
confession optional, they had cut off" the necessity which 
made every parish minister a casuist, — why were they to 
darken what was so plain by needless explanation, or 
encourage a nearer approach to forbidden things by an 
attempt to define the precise limits of the prohibition ? 

That first thoughts are generally best, in cases of duty, 
has been observed by Taylor as well as by Paley. I have 

' ^'^ol. xi. pp. 353, 354. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 209 

myself had sufficient experience of wliat are generally called 
scruples, to be convinced that the greater proportion of 
those which are submitted to a spiritual guide, are nothing 
more than artifices by which men seek to justify themselves 
in what they know to be wrong : and I am convinced that 
the most efficacious manner of easing a doubtful conscience 
is, for the most part, to recall the professed penitent from 
distinctions to generals ; from the peculiarities of his private 
concerns to the simple words of the commandment. If we 
are too curious, we only muddy the stream : but the clearest 
truth is, in morals, always on the surface. 

Still there were yet remaining, in the two first centuries 
after the Reformation, circumstances (besides the precedent 
of the Roman church, and the secret regret of the influence 
formerly enjoyed by their order, whicli, however unsuspected 
by themselves, was likely to actuate the more learned of the 
Protestant clergy,) which might well impress on the mind 
of Taylor and of many of his contemporaries, the opinion 
that a work of casuistiy was a desideratum in the Church of 
England, and its want a defect which might be with reason 
objected to that church by its adversaries. 

There were, probably, more genuine and conscientious 
scruples at that time busy in the public mind than are likely 
to occur at present. The religious ferment, and the spirit of 
inquiry which it excited, which accompanied the reformation 
of religion, had been kept up by the Puritans, and after 
them by the Independents, with unfailing force and activity : 
and though the Reformation in England had been conducted 
on wiser and more moderate principles, and had, in fact, 
overlooked all trifles in order to make the better clearance 
of essential abuses; yet had the minds of men been drawn, 
by the weakness of some, and the mischievous arts of others, 
to trifles and external circumstances, in a degree of which 
our present religious divisions afford us no conception. 

There are few even of the dissenting divines who now 
preach against, there are fewer still who really care for, the 
peculiarities of the established church in its habits and 
ceremonies. Its Hturgy is praised almost by all. Yet not 
avowed dissenters only, but no small party of those who had 
been episcopally ordained, and appointed so offices within 
the limits of the establishment, were, in the days of Charles 



270 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

the First, conscientiously miserable at the thought of standing 
in a surplice, or saying any prayer but of their own com- 
posing. Many thousand good and pious men, and probably 
a still greater number of women, were distressed between the 
fear of schism, and the crime of attending in a place of 
worship where even the minutest particular was not war- 
ranted by some explicit text of Scripture. 

The wickedness of mince-pies and plum-porridge, and 
the question how far these abominations might be winked 
at, when believers were unequally yoked with a prelatist, 
agitated many well-meaning minds ; while there were others, 
of a contrary faction, who looked with horror on the marriage 
of second cousins, and were seriously troubled if, during the 
forty days, any flesh-meat were seen in their houses. 

The law of Moses ; the question how far it was repealed 
or how far it still subsisted in the particulars of blood, 
perhaps of pork, and certainly of a sabbatical rest on the 
Lord's day, was also a frequent cause of secret distress 
or domestic litigation ; while, on the other hand, individuals 
were not wanting who, despising all ordinances, exclaimed 
against their kindred and neighbours as legalists and foolish 
Galatians. 

It is possible that, in the present age of sects, some of 
these wild tenets may still be active and mischievous ; but 
the greater part of our divisions arise from other causes, and, 
above all, the habits of the time lead men rather to decide 
their scruples for themselves and in their own way, than to 
recur to their spiritual pastors. 

But to how great an extent such feelings then prevailed, 
may be learned from the fact that, dviring the time that the 
celebrated Dr. Owen was dean of Christchurch, a regular 
office for the satisfaction of doubtful consciences was held 
in Oxford. How long it continued, or what were the 
numbers that resorted to it, I am not informed. It possibly 
was of the shorter duration from the ludicrous name of 
" scruple-shop," which was given it by the younger students. 

Nor was it a slight aggravation of the mischief that the 
emissaries of the Church of Rome were, in the mean time, 
always active ; ready to remind every uneasy conscience of 
the rest and relief to be found within the pale of their com- 
munion ; vaunting the acuteness and learning of their 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 271 

doctors, and the comfort of their absolution ; and obtaining 
the more abundant draughts of fishes the more the waters 
were troubled. 

Under such circumstances, it was an expedient which 
would naturally occur to the clergy of the episcopal church, 
to meet both Puritans and Papists at their own weapons, 
and to supply, from a rational and legitimate source, that 
satisfaction to restless spirits which the others professed to 
furnish by a false stimulus, or a still more deceitful opiate. 

Accordingly, the work now executed by Taylor had been 
projected by many eminent persons before him. Besides 
some writers of the same sort by different Lutheran divines, 
(who, as still retaining, before the administration of the 
sacrament, a shadow of the old confessional, have more 
reason than those of the English church for affixing a value 
to such assistances,) the excellent Bishop Hall had made a 
beginning which he did not live to complete ; and Sanderson, 
whose lectures " de conscientia," had shown very consider- 
able talent in the eristical part of morality, was urged by 
Charles the First, in his last attendance on him, to employ the 
remainder of his life in writing cases of conscience ^. 

It was not, however, to the detail of individual scruples 
that Taylor gave up his learning and genius. This, indeed, 
had been the usual practice of previous writers on the same 
subject. The Romish casuists, at least, (for the Lutherans 
I only know through the notices of them in Michaelis and 
in Taylor himself,) have contented themselves, for the most 
part, with filling their enormous volumes with cases, some- 
times classed, indeed, under general heads, but not often 
submitted to any general or steady principles ; a wilderness 
of precedents, of which (as they were rather selected for 
curiosity than for their frequent occurrence,) hardly a twen- 
tieth part could be expected to be really useful. 

Taylor, on the other hand, has introduced his cases as 
illustrations and examples only, and by far the greater part 
of his work is devoted to the exposition of general principles, 
in which, with far more learning, and, perhaps, (the time at 
which he wrote considered,) with equal originality, but with 
a clearness of arrangement and expression altogether much 

'' Walton's Life of Saudeisoii. Wordsworth, Ecdes. Biog. vol. v. p. 487- 



272 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR. D.D. 

inferior, he lias preceded in the same track the labours of 
Tucker and of Paley. 

To give a regular analysis of so extensive a work, would 
be either to repeat the table of contents, or materially to 
exceed the bounds of a critical essay. I shall, therefore, 
content myself with offering to the reader a very slight 
outline of the plan, selecting only those parts for further 
comment, which, for their acuteness, their curiosity, their 
eloquence, or sometimes even their erroneous nature, appear 
to me to call for such a distinction. 

After a preface, in which the importance and necessity of 
the attempt is throughout assumed, and which is chiefly 
directed against the sophistry and interminable length of 
his Romish predecessors, he has divided his work into four 
books, each containing several long chapters. 

In the first, he defines the nature of conscience, its uses, 
and their impediments, pointing out the different charac- 
teristics of a " right or sure conscience," — a conscience con- 
fident in error, — a " probable or thinking," — a *' doubtful," 
and a " scrupulous conscience/' Of all these, his definitions, 
though a little overlaid with words and misplaced eloquence, 
are distinct and forcible, and his illustrations often very fine 
and appropriate. 

Such a one occurs where he has been observing that, 
" we cannot take any direct account of the greatness or 
horror of a sin by the affrightment of conscience." 

" For," he proceeds, "' it is with the affrightments of con- 
science as it is in temporal judgments ; sometimes they come 
not at all, and^ when they do, they come irregularly, and, 
when they do not, the man does not escape."" — " But as 
he who is not smitten of God, yet knows he is always 
liable to God's anger, and, if he repents not, it will certainly 
fall upon him hereafter ; so it is in conscience. He that 
fears not, hath never the less cause to fear, but oftentimes a 
greater, and therefore is to suspect and alter his condition, 
as being of a deep and secret danger; and he that docs 
fear, must alter his condition, as being highly troublesome. 
But, in both cases, conscience does the work of a monitor 
and a judge. In some cases, conscience is like an eloquent 
and fair-spoken judge, which declaims not against the 
criminal, but condemns him justly; in others, the judge 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 273 

is more angry, and artVights the prisoner more ; but the event 
is still the same. For, in those sins where the conscience 
affrights, and in those in which she afii'ights not, (supposing 
the sins equal, but of differing natures,) there is no other 
difference, but that conscience is a clock, which in one man 
strikes aloud and gives warning ; and in another, the liand 
points silently to the figures, but strikes not ; but by this 
he may as surely see what the other hears, that his hours 
pass away, and death hastens, and after death comes judg- 
ment^ !" 

The rules which he gives to distinguish a true peace of con- 
science, w hich he defines to be *' a rest after a severe inquiry," 
are full of holy and practical wisdom ; as when he remarks that 
'' peace of mind is not to be used as a sign that God hath 
pardoned our sins, but is only of use in questions of particular 
fact. — What evils have I done ? — what good have I left un- 
done ?" This is a veiy useful caution to two different classes 
of men, — those who afflict themselves wdthout knowing why, 
and those who are satisfied when they ought to be afflicted. 

The rule of a right conscience, he expresses to be " the 
speculative determination of the understanding," and subjoins 
as the single necessary caution, '* that we be as sure of our 
speculation as of any other rule which we usually follow, and 
that we do not take vain philosophy for true speculations." 
And, while establishino- this assertion, he maintains at some 
length, and with much acuteness, the use of reason in 
matters of religion, answering the different objections which 
are ordinarily made against it, and proving that, though 
reason may not be able to render an account of mysteries 
which are but imperfectly revealed to us, yet, the authen- 
ticity of the revelation is, in the first instance, cognizable 
by reason; while, though things may be true which our 
reason cannot comprehend, yet what our reason rejects we 
cannot receive as revealed by God ; so that " though right 
reason is not the positive and affirmative measure of any 
article, yet it is the negative measure of every one." Obe- 
dience of the understanding to God he acknowledges to be 
our undoubted duty ; " but that," he observes, " is only 
when God speaks. But because we heard him not, and are 

' Vol. xi. i»j). 403, 404. 
T 



274 LIFE 01' JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

only told that God did speak, — our reason must examine 
whether it be fit to believe them that tell us so." 

In the course of this inquiry many interesting corollaries 
Gccxu', as to the question of two wills in God : — the con- 
formity of reason and faith: — and the vanity of judicial 
astrology, which last he condemns not on the score of its 
supposed impiety and contradiction to Scripture, but as the 
instrument of imposture and delusion ; and, therefore, against 
religion, not as an unlawful exercise of reason, but as mere 
folly and knavery, and on account of the " dangerous and 
horrid consequents which they feel, than run a whoring after 
such idols of imagination." 

His examination of mixed motives, and the censure which 
he passes on good actions when done from secular or incom- 
petent arguments, are useful and well-founded ; though, 
under this last head, and while discussing the incidental 
question, " whether it be lawful and ingenuous to go about 
to persuade a man to the belief of a true proposition, by 
arguments with which we ourselves are not persuaded V 
he has made some admissions which a severe lover of truth 
will hardly allow to pass without reprobation. 

An " ai'gmnentum ad hominem" is, indeed, perfectly 
allowable, which proceeds on the supposition, not upon 
the concession and granting of an error. But this, which 
is no more than taking a man on his own grounds, has no 
natural tendency to make him believe that I agree with 
him in that particular. The argument is good, because the 
premises are conventionally so ; and the effect is not so 
much to convince a man of the truth of our inference, as to 
unsettle his prejudices against that inference, and, by 
proving his own principles to be inconsistent, to make him 
the more ready to submit himself to ours. 

But the case is very different, when I use arguments 
which I know or believe to be bad, because " there may be 
something in my opponent that can make the argument to 
become perfect and effectual.'' This is like feeding a hungry 
man with chaff, because there may be some peculiarity in 
his digestion, which can extract its nutritive qualities. 

If other competent judges have laid stress on such an 
argument, we may, indeed, advance it as theirs, and in 
deference to their authority. But, even here, it can hardly 



LIFE OF JKRK.MV TAVI.OF?, D.I). 275 

be allowed us to advance it without premising the caution 
that it is not our own opinion which we express, and tliat we 
therefore can lav no stress on it. And, as arofuments thus 
brought forward are likely to be of little service to our 
cause, it is, apparently, both wiser and better to confine 
ourselves to such arguments only as are really satisfactory 
to our understaning "\ 

This, however, will, of course, not conclude against our 
stating as possible, or probable, such consequences as, 
though they do not certainly follow from the premises, may 
yet, without contradiction, do so. But the premises are, by 
their very nature and employment,, presumed to be truths ; 
nor can we honestly use any thing as a premise, which we 
do not either believe to be true, or, at least, state hypothe- 
tically. 

He speaks more justly, wdien he will not allow of any dis- 
tinction between a man's public conscience as a magistrate, 
and his private conscience as an individual" ; and where he 
observes that " conscience hath power in obligations and rules, 
but not so much nor so often in permissions °." Thus, a per- 
son may in no case do that which conscience forbids, but 
may not always go so far as she allows. 

Under the head of " a probable or thinking conscience,*' 
he teaches, with great justice, that " a conscience that is, 
at first and in its own nature, probable, may be made certain 
by accumulation of many probabilities operating the same 
persuasion p." And of this kind of " moral demonstration," 
he gives an instance in a magnificent sketch of the diflferent 
probabilities on which a faith in Christianity is founded. 
Few of his most splendid passages in the most popular of his 
writings exceed some parts of this argument : as, when he 
speaks of the doctrine of Christ, ** hunting the demons from 
their tripods, — their *' navels'^'' their dens, their hollow 
pipes, their temples, and their altars;" as " flourishing, 
like the palm, by pressure ; growing glorious by opposition ; 
thriving by persecution, and demonstrated by objections ■" ;" 
or where, contrasting it with the local rites and restricted 



■« Vol. xi. pp. 483, 485, 488. 


" p. 409. 


° P. 522. 


P Vol. xii. p. .33. 


^ Delplli, called yr,; o/^fa/.'?;. 


' P. 5f). 



276 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

worship of the Jews, he says of the Christian religion, 
that it is " as eternal as the soul of a man, and can no more 
cease than our spirits can die, and can worship upon moun- 
tains and in caves, in fields and churches, in peace and war, 
in solitude and society, in persecution and in sunshine, by 
day and by night, and be solemnized by clergy and laity in 
the essential parts of it, and is the perfection of the soul, 
and the highest reason of man, and the glorification of 
God^" 

There are many other valuable principles laid down in this 
part of his work, of which a few are all that I can instance. 
Such are his positions, that " Reason weighs more than 
authority ;" that " a multitude of authorities, when they are 
deducible from one or a few, add nothing to the strength of 
that on which they themselves rest : that authority alone is 
no sufficient proof after a new doubt has been started ; and, 
that an apparent interest in the person who maintains a pro- 
position is no more reason for disbelieving than for believing 
it^" 

Some of his illustrations of a doubtful conscience, are not 
over delicate, or even decent, and some of his positions danger- 
ous. Of the first description, is a very injudicious quotation 
from Toletus ; and of the second, his admission that private 
evil may be done by public men and for the public necessity ; 
which, though with many limitations, and in very few in- 
stances, as in that of war, the employment of spies, &c. it 
may possibly be true, yet is hardly to be allowed in any in- 
stance without peril. It is, however, a very just and rea- 
sonable observation, which he makes in the same chapter, 
that " positive and temporary" ought to give way to higher 
duties. Such, also, is his distinction between a doubting 
and a scrupulous conscience, that ** against the first a man 
may not work, but against the second he may." All his 
advice, indeed, to scrupulous persons, is excellent"." 

His second book begins with an examination of the law 
of nature, which he defines to be " the universal law of 
mankind, concerning common necessities, to which we are 
inclined by nature, incited by consent, prompted by rea- 

^ Vol. xii. p. 64. * Pp. Ul, 99, 108. " Pp. 183, et seq. 



I 



LIFE or JEHEMV TAYLOR, D.D. 277 

son, but [which] is bound upon us only by the command of 
God." 

Its two sanctions he defines to be fear and love : the first, 
of a bad conscience, a bad name, or the other penal conse- 
quences which Providence and society inflict on guilt ; the 
next is not so much born with us, as implanted in us by 
education, and by the hopes of future reward which God has, 
in revelation, held out to us. 

To the law of nature thus defined, he assigns an autho- 
rity superior to all positive institutions, though its laws, (as he 
observes,) may be capable of interpretation, and may be 
allayed by equity, piety, and necessity. 

In speaking of contracts, he allows that an unlawful or 
impossible contract cannot hold ; but he materially limits 
the permission given by the lawyers to annul contracts 
made under false impressions''. When a contract is made 
against the positive institutions of man, in points where the 
law of God is silent ; though the parties may have sinned in 
entering into it, yet *' the after actions, being no sins, 
cannot be invalidated ;" and even " if the contract be made 
against a divine law," if it can be fulfilled on our part 
without sin, and " the contract be extrinsical to the nature 
of the sin incurred," the contract is binding, though its 
occasion is to be repented of ^. 

In this last case, he agrees with Paley, (Moral Philoso- 
phy, b. xi. c. 5,) and has, to all appearance, taken a clearer 
view of the moral obligation of contracts than Sanderson did 
on a similar question. It is probable that Sanderson judged 
differently, from the same sense of the inexpediency of such 
contracts becoming general, which has induced Paley, in- 
consistently enough, to reject his own principle, (where it 
ought, a fortiori, to hold good, and does hold good, accord- 
ing to Taylor,) in the case of a promise made to a robber^. 

To the law of nature in general, the Christian law 
succeeds, which he describes as, *' The law of Nature, or of 
all mankind, as it is commanded, digested, and perfected 
by our Supreme Lawgiver Jesus Christ''." 

This, as the great rule of conscience, he distinguishes 

' Vol. xii. pp. 250, 257. * P. 260. 

' Vol. xivv p. 39G. " Vol. xiii. p. 2fi(). 



278 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

from the Mosaic law, which has entirely ceased to bind, any 
further than as it contains some particulars which belong to 
the moral law, or law of nature. From the list of those par- 
ticulars he does not exclude the prohibition of eating blood, 
which he interprets, with good reason, not to mean the use 
of black puddings, but the hateful practice, common in the 
East and amongst barbarous nations, of devouring the mem- 
bers of a living creature''. But the judicial law he excludes 
in all its branches, more particularly in that which was then 
the subject of frequent discussion, the intermarriage of 
persons within the degrees of consanguinity. On this head, 
he exposes the unwarranted additions to the Mosaic prohi- 
bition which had been made, in the case of cousins, brothers' 
widows, &c., by the Roman canonists ; and on the whole, 
appears to take nearly the same view of the question as has 
been since taken by Michaelis : though he does not state, so 
plainly as Michaelis has done, the reasons which have, 
in all ages and countries, made some prohibitions necessary ; 
and the local and temporal inconveniences which have 
obliged human lawgivers to extend, in some instances, those 
prohibitions still further*". 

The Decalogue he refuses to consider as a perfect digest 
of the law of nature ; inasmuch as our duty extends to many 
particulars which are not expressed on those tables. " It 
was intended," he conceives, '" as a digest of all those 
moral laws in which God would expect and exact the obe- 
dience of the Jewish nation, leaving the perfection and 
consummation of all unto the time of the Gospel''." 

Here, I conceive, he goes too far ; inasmuch as, though 
he insists on the violence which is necessary to reduce all 
the different parts of a Christian's duty to these ten principal 
heads, it is certain that this has been, and is done with suffi- 
cient exactness for any practical purpose, and that he him- 
self, in his exposition of the ten commandments, has ably 
and eloquently accomplished it. Nor is it true, as his 
hypothesis seems to suppose, that no other and more express 



^ Vol. xiii. p. 200, et seq. 

'^ IMichaclis, Law of Moses, c. vii. Vol. iii. p. 39, et .seq. Smith's 
Translation. Note (AAA.) 
•^ Vol. xiii. p. 355. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 279 

moral laws were given to the Jews than these command- 
ments. To give ahns to the poor ; to help their enemy 
whose beast had fallen under his load ; to pray for the peace 
of the land whither they were led captive;- to eat no living 
animal, which, as he himself allows, is part of the moral law : 
— all these laws are not only implied in the Decalogue, but 
explicitly laid down in different parts of the Mosaic volume ; 
and it would be very difficult to instance any particular 
of natural law, strictly so called, to which the Jews were not 
obliged as well as ourselves, though the stream of the com- 
mandments had been disturbed and defiled by their rabbins, 
and though the Son of God, in his sermon on the mount, 
and by the still stronger lesson of his example, has vindi- 
cated them from corruption, and held them up a second 
time, and more clearly and gloriously than before, to our 
obedience and imitation. 

Taylor is correct, however, in his inferences : " That we 
acknowledoe Christ to be our Lord and Master, our Law- 
giver and Teacher ; that we understand the ten command- 
ments according to his commentary." — ** That we expect 
no justification by our conformity to the decalogue." — 
** That we endeavour to go on to perfection, not according 
to the pattern which Moses, but which Christ showed on the 
mount:" and " that we do not think it sufficient to live 
according to nature, but that we live according to grace, that 
is, the measures of reformed nature^." And he himself has, 
in fact, abandoned whatever was dangerous in his position 
simply taken, when he admits that all the precepts of mo- 
rality " were potentially in the great commandment ;" and 
that '^ there are the same general lines of religion, and of 
justice in tlie Old Testament and the New, though the 
special and particular precepts are severally instanced by 
Christ and Moses." 

He argues also more justly, when he says " that every thing 
in the Decalogue is not obligatory on Christians," though 
he is unfortunate in the first instance which he produces, 
'' that the having or making of images, though it be for- 
bidden to the Jews in the second commandment, yet it is not 
unlawful to Christians ^ Of this I have said enough 



D 



= Vol. xiii. p. Wbb. * P. :iG9. 



280 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.U. 

already ; and will here only observe, that it is strange that 
any man should hold such an interpretation of the com- 
mandment in question, who, at the same time, in order to 
prove it not obligatory on Christians, has instanced the 
golden lions of Solomon. Solomon, surely, was a Jew : 
he was also a very conspicuous person, and one whose faults 
are related in Scripture with due severity. If, then, he used 
such ornaments unblamed, it is plain, from this instance, 
as well as from Caesar's image on the Jewish coin", that the 
second commandment was interpreted by them, as by the 
generality of Protestants, to forbid idolatry only. 

His observations on idolatry, however and on the griev- 
ous presumption of picturing God, are excellent and, I think, 
unanswerable. His opinion of the Sabbath and the Lord's 
day I have already had occasion to mention. 

In the third chapter of the second book, which treats 
of the " interpretation and obligation of the laws of Christ," 
though there is much which is curious and valuable, there 
are few things which call for particular notice. Much 
of it, indeed, is more historical and controversial than 
casuistical, and refers to the great disputes which have 
always agitated the Christian commonwealth since the 
period of the reformation. On these Taylor thought with 
all Protestants ; and an abundant store of weapons may 
be drawn from his armoury, for the future battles of the 
church. The maxims which strike me as most generally 
applicable, and, at the same time, most characteristic of 
their author, are, 1 . that " all acts of virtue are to be pre- 
ferred before the instruments of it, and that which exercises 
it before that which signifies it^." 2. The difference be- 
tween positive and negative laws, that, namely, when any 
thing is commanded, the means of doing it are left to our 
choice ; but, when any thing is forbidden, " all those things 
also, by which we come to that sin, are understood to be 
forbidden by the same law '.'' 

" Every temptation," he observes, " is then certainly 



e " The opinion, that the Jews admitted in no case the introduction 

of images, is ungrounded." Michaelis, Introd. to N. Test. Marsh, vol. i. 
p. 57. 

^ P. 408. * Vol. xiii. p. 0. 



i 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 281 

to be reckoned as a sin, when it is procured by our own act, 
whether the temptation ministers to the sin directly or 
accidentally;" — '' and although the usual effect does not 
follow the instrument. For there is sometimes a fantastic 
pleasure in the remembrance of sin, in the approaches of it, 
of our addresses to it ; and there are some men who dare not 
act the foul crime, who yet love to look on its fair face ; 
and they drive out sin as Abraham did Ishmael, with an 
unwilling willingness, (God knows:") — " and they look 
after it, and are pleased with the stories of it, and love to see 
the place of its acting." — " Now, they that go but thus 
far, and love to tempt themselves by walking on the side of 
the river," — '' they have given demonstration of their love 
of sin when they make so much of its proxy." 

" But there are others, who have great experience of the 
vanity of all sin, and the emptiness and dissatisfaction that 
is in its fruition ; and know [that] as soon as ever they have 
enjoyed it, it is gone, and that there is more pleasure in the 
expectation than in the possession ; and therefore they had 
rather go towards it than arrive thither, and love the tempt- 
ation better than the sin. These men sin with an excellent 
philosophy and wittiness of sinning; they love to woo 
always, and not to enjoy, ever to be hungry and sitting 
down to dinner, but are afraid to have their desires filled. 
But, if we consider what the secret of it is, and that there is 
in these men an immense love to sin, and a perfect adhesion 
to the pleasure of it, and that they refuse to enter lest they 
should quickly pass through : and they are unwilling to 
taste it, lest they should eat no more ; and would not 
enjoy, because they will not be weary of it ; and will deny 
any thing to themselves, even that which they most love, 
lest, for a while, they should loathe their beloved sin, — we 
shall see reason enough to affirm these men to be the great- 
est breakers of the laws of Jesus Christ : though they only 
tempt themselves, and handle the instruments of sin ; and, 
although these instruments serve nothing but the tempta- 
tion, and the temptation does not serve the sin, whither in 
its own nature it is designed •"." 

At page 128 of this volume, he betrays what I should 

'' Vol. xiii. pp. 0, f). 



282 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

hardly have expected from him, an ignorance of a legend 
very generally known, and which is the oldest and most 
curious of all religious novels, — I mean, the "Acts of Paul 
and Thecla ; " which he supposes, without any sufficient 
reason, to have been originally circulated as the work of St. 
Paul himself, and which he calls (I know not why,) " the 
vision of Paul and Thecla/' The work, in fact, could never 
have been pretended to be St. Paul's writing, without ascrib- 
ing to the apostle an incredible degree of vanity, both per- 
sonal and theological. Jerome, indeed, does not say that 
the Asiatic presbyter, who was its author, wished to father 
it on the saint as his own composition, but that he was de- 
graded by St. John for having, though with a good intent, 
circulated an untrue history concerning an apostle. Nor has 
the history, as it has descended to our time, (whatever 
might have been the case with Jerome's copy,) any mention 
" baptizati Leonis ^" 

Here again he resumes, and resumes with admirable 
power, and without intermixture of doubtful or extraneous 
matter, his favourite topic of secure and immediate repent- 
ance. He quotes St. Eucherius, saying, " Propound to 
yourself the example of the thief on the cross, — do as he 
did." — ** Yes," proceeds Taylor, " w^e are too ready to do so, 
that is, to defer our repentance to the last, being encou- 
raged by his example and success ! — No ! w^e do not as he 
did ! — He did not defer his repentance and his faith unto 
the last ; but, in the very first hour in which he knew 
Christ, in that veiy instant he did believe, and was really 
converted. He confessed Christ gloriously, and repented of 
his sins without hypocrisy; and, if we do so too, this question 
is at an end, and our repentance shall never be reproved "^." 

He concludes this second book with a splendid perora- 
tion on the measures and motives of a Christian's duty, ex- 
horting him to do all his works *' in faith and in love, in 
faith to make them accepted, though they be imperfect ; in 
love, to make them as perfect as they can be." — " He that 
loves, will think every thing too little ; and he that thinks 
so, will endeavour to do more, and to do it better." — ** In 
the measures of the practice of this rule there is no difficulty. 

See Grabe, Spicilegium Patrum, vol. i. p. 81, et seq. '" P. 194. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 283 

but what is made by the careless Hves of Christians, and 
their lazy and unholy principles. At the rate as Christians 
usually do live, it is hard to know how, and in what in- 
stances, and in what degrees, our obedience ought to be 
more humble and more diligent than that of Moses's dis- 
ciples. But they that love, will do the thing, and so under- 
stand the rule, ' Obedite et intelligetis : ' Obey, and ye shall 
understand "." 

In the first chapter of the third book, wliich treats of 
Human Laws and their obligation, — a case occurs, in illus- 
tration of Rule IV. that " a law founded on a false presump- 
tion does not bind the conscience," in which the Romish 
canonists seem to have given a more just decision than 
Taylor. Biretti, a Venetian gentleman, pretends a desire to 
marry Julia Medici, the daughter of a neighbour, with a 
purpose to seduce and desert her. A contract is made ; but, 
before its execution, he gains his end, and leaving her, mar- 
ries another. The canonists declare the former contract, 
followed by congress, to be a marriage, and that he is bound 
to return to Julia. No, says Taylor, *' if he did not lie with 
her 'afFectu maritaU,'" — ** he was extremely impious and un- 
just; but he made no marriage ; for ivithout mutual consent, 
marriages are not made." Surely mutual consent is expressed 
by a public contract, as plainly as by any indication of a 
man's will that can be conceived. And, if Biretti were a 
hypocrite, it can be no reason why he should be free from 
the obligation implied by his own deliberate action ! I 
cannot account for the obliquity of this verdict, but I could 
not pass it over lest my silence should seem like appro- 
bation. 

The second chapter examines the power of princes to 
enact penal and tributary laws, and the obligation wliich 
rests on their subjects to obey such laws, in which he dis- 
cusses the lawfulness or obligation of resisting a legal sen- 
tence ; of prison-breaking ; of self-chastisement ; and of 
suicide. The first he admits of when the sentence is palpa- 
bly unjust, and pronounced by an usurped authority. The 
second, in all cases where life or limbs are to be preserved ; 
tlie third he confines to certain ecclesiastical cases ; and the 

" P. 22y. 



284 

fourth he condemns in all, even when perpetrated by a virgin 
to save herself from pollution. Yet of such instances of 
self-murder he speaks with a sort of respectful pity, observing 
that he only knows that the fact is unlawful. " But how 
they shall fare in the other world, who, upon such great 
accounts, are tempted, is one of God's secrets which the 
great day will manifest °." 

In the same chapter is an injudicious. attempt to justify 
the supposed fraud of the children of Israel, in borrowing- 
jewels of the Egyptians, without any intention of restoring 
them. He justifies the action by saying, that God com- 
manded the Israelites so to spoil their enemies. But this is 
only removing the imputation from the Israelites to the 
Almighty ; and though the Almighty may dispose of the 
property of his creatures as he pleases, it is not to be sup- 
posed that he would command any set of men to obtain 
their neighbour's goods by fraud. The true answer seems 
to be that which is given by Michaelis; that though God 
knew that the Israelites would not return; and though he 
had communicated a share of his own prescience to Moses, 
yet the Israelites in general, as they had only asked for a 
short holiday from their toil, so they never expected or 
intended more, till the Egyptians, by thrusting them out of 
the land first, and afterwards by pursuing them with hostile 
intentions, had deprived themselves of all claim to whatever 
property they had previously intrusted to them p. 

He has mis-stated the story in ancient Spanish history, of 
the princes of Lara or Carion, and the daughters of the Cid 
Rodrigo of Bivar'^. The princes fought, not one with ano- 
ther, but both of them against two of the kindred of the 
Cid, and were beaten, as they well deserved. This is, how- 
ever, a trifle, and the wonder is, rather, that in so multifarious 
reading, and amid references to all writers and languages, 
his facts are so generally accurate. 

In discussing Laws of Tribute, though, when just, he 
allows them to be binding on the conscience of the subject, 
and to oblige him not only to a passive but an active obe- 

• P. 346. 

!• Michaelis, Law of Moses, translated by Smith, art. dxxix. vol. iii. 
p. 44, et seq. 'i P. 3f)8. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 285 

dience, he stoutly inveighs against the oppression frequently 
practised by sovereigns and senates. But, when he arrives 
at the question of obedience to kings, princes, and supreme 
civil powers, his doctrines are, as might be expected from a 
suffering loyalist of Charles the First's day, sufficiently 
devoted and unqualified. He assigns a greater degree of 
sacredness to kingly than any other government; he mis- 
represents the monarchy of Israel, which was, in fact, the 
most limited, except the Lacedaemonian, of any on record in 
ancient history ; and he not only believes the legend of the 
martyred Thebaean legion, but insists, with much apparent 
exultation, on such an illustrious example of non-resistance. 
His arguments are, however, more to the purpose, when, 
following on the same side with Hooker, he justifies the 
power of the civil sovereign over persons and in causes 
ecclesiastical. They are directed both against the Roman 
Catholics and the Presbyterians ; and, as well as the following 
chapter on church censures and canons, breathe throughout 
a moderate and Christian spirit, and are well calculated to 
place in their true light those ecclesiastical powers, whose 
thunders sound so formidably in the Church of Rome, and 
against which, even in Protestant churches, many of the 
laity are strongly prejudiced, from a misconception of their 
limits, of their fitness, and their necessity. And I cannot 
help again observing, that here also he speaks as strongly as 
ever against the interference of the civil sword in matters of 
religion. 

" This power," — he is speaking of the commission given 
by Christ to his apostles and their successors, — " this power 
and these commissions were wholly ministerial, without domi- 
nation, without proper jurisdiction, that is, without coaction ; 
it being wholly agahist the desig?i of the religion that it should 
be forced, and it being far removed from persons so disposed, 
so employed, so instructed, to do it." ** And, therefore, one 
of the requisites of a bishop is — ' he must be no striker :' — 
he had no arms put into his hand for that purpose ; the 
ecclesiastical state being furnished with authority, but no 
power, * auctoritate suadendi magis quam jubendi potestate.' 
— That which the ecclesiastics can do [in the case of church 
censures,] is a suspension of their own act, not any power 
over the actions of other men : and, therefore, is but an use 



286 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

of their own liberty, not an exercise of jurisdiction. He 
does the same thing in sacraments as he does in preaching ; 
in both he declares the guilty person to be out of the way to 
heaven, to be obnoxious to the divine anger, to be a debtor 
of repentance : and in refusing to baptize an evil catechumen, 
or to communicate an ill-living Christian, he does but say 
the same thing. He speaks in one by signs, and in the 
other, he signifies by words." " This is * judicium,' not 
* jurisdictio,' a judging a man worthy or unworthy; w^hich 
does not suppose a superiority of jurisdiction, but equals do 
it to their equals ; though, in this, the clergy hath a supe- 
riority and a commission from God to do it'.'' Even of this 
moderate and natural right he condemns the public exercise, 
in the case of sovereign princes, who, as it is obviously unfit 
to subject them to open reproof or penance ; so, when private 
reproof and private warnings and entreaties have failed, they 
may, as he conceives, be admitted, if they command it, to the 
communion ^ 

This is, indeed, a difficult question, and one which is not 
likely to be a practical one. A wicked prince is not very 
often a hypocrite, and unless he be a hypocrite, it is not 
probable that he will force himself on rites for which he does 
not care. There is more courage and dignity in the conduct 
of St. Ambrose towards Theodosius ; there is less danger to 
the public peace, and an almost equal certainty of obtaining 
the desired end, in the course recommended by Taylor. 

The latter, however, makes another admission, which, if 
his life had been prolonged a few more years, might have 
involved him in a very serious difficulty of conscience, and 
would have divided him, if he had acted on it, from all the 
best and wisest of his ow^n order and religion. "' The un- 
lawful proclamations and edicts of a true prince may be 
published by the clergy in their several charges * !" I wish 
I had not found this in Taylor ; and I thank heaven that 
this principle was not adopted by the English clergy in 
1687. Yet for Taylor many allowances may be made, and 
many excuses offered for this and the other ultra-monarchical 
features of his creed. Accustomed as he was to see and 
feel all the tyranny which then plagued the land, from those 

' P. 562. =* p. 598. * Ibid. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 287 

who, under the colour of freedom, had disturbed and en- 
slaved their country, it was hardly to be expected that his 
attention could be equally alive to the possibility of the same 
evils occurring under a legitimate sovereign. And, above 
all, let it be remembered, that his inclination for absolute 
monarchy, if it were unwise, was, at least, not interested or 
servile; that if he carried too high the power of a lawful 
king, it was when that lawful king was in exile. The 
" Ductor Dubitantium," though published at the moment of 
the Restoration, was written and printed while no such event 
could be looked for, and when all that could be gained by an 
unlimited loyalty, was the suspicion or persecution of the 
ruling powers ; imprisonment, fine, and aggravated indigence. 

In examining the different institutions which are usually 
deduced from apostolical authority, he lays down as a 
general rule, though one, he admits, which can be very 
seldom applicable to practice, and which, without some 
cogent reason, it would be the height of presumption to put 
in force, that institutions merely of apostolical tradition, and 
relating to things in themselves indifferent, may be, by the 
authority of the church, in after times, dispensed with. This 
liberty, however, he will not concede in the instances of the 
Lord's day, of the manner of administering the sacraments, 
or of episcopacy. The first he excepts not only on account 
of the fitness of the day itself, but because no other day can 
be preferred without a causeless neglect of apostohc autho- 
rity ; the others because they relate to the ministries of 
grace, which can only, under ordinary circumstances, be 
obtained or hoped for, when sought after in the appointed 
manner. 

To the forty days' Lent, he refuses the character of an 
apostolical institution. He shows, in fact, with great learn- 
ing, and very convincingly, that the primitive Lent was not 
of forty daya, but of forty hours, being confined to the Friday 
and Saturday immediately preceding Easter". To the weekly 
fasts of Wednesday and Friday he assigns, however, a much 
greater antiquity, both being named by Clemens Alexan- 
drinus, and Tertullian ; though neither can, on competent 
grounds, be ascribed to any commandment of the apostles. 

" Vol. xiv. p. 40. 



288 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D. D. 

From some expressions in Rule xv. p. 28, it is evident 
that he regretted, as Wesley afterwards did, the discon- 
tinuance of the ancient practice of baptizing by immersion, 
and even of dipping three times in honour of the Trinity. 
Like Wesley, he condemns the practice of sprinkling altoge- 
ther, as contrary both to the analogy of the ceremony, the 
apostolic tradition, and the canons of the English and Irish 
church. How, in our climate, and with the contrary preju- 
dices of the people, he would have settled his dispute with 
mothers and nurses, it is not very difficult to conjecture. 
The number of those neophytes who would be certified 
" well able to endure immersion," would, probably, be very 
limited. 

Fond as he appears, from many passages in his writings, 
of chanting and psalmody, it may be suspected that he had 
no ear for music. It is singular to compare the reluctant 
permission which he gives to the use of organs in church, 
with the glow of feeling which their majestic tones excited 
in the breast of Milton "". 

The Romish prohibition of marriage, and the sacred 
authority assigned by their canonists to the decrees of 
general councils, he exposes with nearly the same arguments, 
and an equal show of learning, as we have already seen him 
producing on the same topics in his two " Dissuasives from 
Popery." 

He closes the fourth chapter with a discussion of the 
case of subscription to ecclesiastical articles and forms of 
confession ; which, he insists with becoming strictness, can 
only be done, in the instance of the English church, by 
those who sign in the sense of the imposers of the law, and 
who sincerely approve of that to which they thus express 
their consent. On the inexpediency of such subscriptions, 
*' to any articles which are not evidenthj true and necessary 
to be professed," he expresses the same opinions which he 
had previously urged in his *' Liberty of Prophesying." ^ — 
Opinions they are so amiable in themselves, and proceeding 
frOm a spirit so enlarged and so thoroughly Christian, that 
our respect for the man is increased by them, even when we 
are not convinced by his arguments. Yet, it may be 

* Page 115. Compare '' II Penseroso/' 



LIFK. OF JEllKMV TAVJ^OH, D.D. 289 

thought, as I have aheady endeavoured to show, that a sub- 
scription, which would admit the Papist, the Protestant, the 
Arian, and the Anabaptist within the walls of the same esta- 
blishment, would, in fact, be equivalent to no subscription 
at all; and that, though meninay, beyond a doubt, be saved 
by the profession of the apostles' creed alone, yet of those 
who are to teach others, some further examination may well 
be accounted necessary. After all, Taylor's strongest argu- 
ments, both here and in the *' Liberty of Prophesying," apply 
less to such confessions in themselves than to the abuses to 
which they are liable; and, while the supporters of every 
confession will plead *' that it contains, in their opinion, no 
uncertain or unnecessary articles," no Christian, that is 
worthy of the name, will deny what Taylor, in the next 
place, contends for, " that great regard be had, and great 
ease be done to wise and peaceable dissenters^." 

His observations on parental authority, and on the 
" Interpretation, Diminution and Abrogation of Human 
Laws," conclude this part of his subject. 

The former, is, perhaps, overlaid with too much unne- 
cessary learning, and with obsolete precedents of the power 
exercised by fathers in the ruder ages of society; and, in 
the instance of marriage, he gives to parents a control too 
absolute over their children. 

The latter contains some maxims of great truth and 
practical utility, as where he tells us, " There are some tacit 
exceptions in all laws that would not be tyrannical." 
Again, " When the reason of a law, commanding an action 
otherwise indifferent, does cease universally, the very nega- 
tive ceasing, passes into the contrary of itself." — "The 
subject may still do it without sin, but the prince cannot, 
without sin, command it to be done, when it is to no purpose." 
This rule, which Taylor applies to the trifling and absurd 
trials of obedience, which some of the modern Romish saints 
imposed on the monks in their convents, will apply equally to 
all cases of obsolete and vexatious regulation, such as, for the 
very love of authority, are sometimes too dear to men in power. 

There is one passage, however, in this chapter, which 

-^ Vol. xiv. page l(i.'5. 

U 



290 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.I>. 

must not be allowed to escape without strong and unqua- 
lified reprobation. I mean the manner in which he coolly 
instances, and, in some degree, even justifies, that horrible 
law of the Roman republic, which decreed that, if any single 
slave had killed his lord, all the slaves in the house should 
die for if". Had Taylor considered twice, he could not have 
thus expressed himself. But of such hideous cruelty 
and injustice, our detestation ought to be instinctive and 
immediate. 

The fourth and last book, which discusses " the nature 
and causes of all human actions, good and evil," is, perhaps, 
the ablest part of the work, as it is certainly the most gene- 
rally and practically useful. 

It is divided into two chapters of very unequal length, of 
which the first treats of efficient, the other of final causes. 

The former is an illustration and expansion of the prin- 
ciple, that the will of man is the seat of good and evil ; and 
that actions are either good or evil according to the in- 
tention of the agent. He proves, however, not only that 
an act of the will alone is imputed, both by God and man, 
to good or evil; but that a virtual and interpretative 
consent of the will may make us sharers in the action of 
another ; while the involuntary consequences of a voluntary 
action are imputed to us as parts of that action, and as if 
themselves directly chosen. 

All these propositions, however, he guards with many 
distinctions ; and introduces many interesting discussions 
on the legality of different actions or habits connected with, 
or illustrative of his principles. 

Thus, in his discussion of the rule, that " the virtual and 
interpretative consent of the will is imputed to good or 
evil,'' besides some curious cases of " ratihabitation and 
confirmation," he enters into two different inquiries, as to 
the lawfulness of indulging a guest with an excess of wine, 
ourselves remaining sober ; and whether it be lawful to play 
at cards or dice ? 

The first, as may be believed, he answers with an indig- 
nant negative. The second he treats more tenderly, though 

'- Page 2aC. 



LIFE OF JERKMY TAYLOR, D.D. 291 

he, nevertheless, incHnes to the opinion tliat all playing for 
money is dangerous, if not unlawful. 

As diminutions of voluntary actions, he reckons ignorance 
and fear, of which the first, when total and inevitable, he 
accounts a perfect annihilation of moral good or evil, the 
second only in those cases where the understanding is over- 
powered by the intensity of the danger. 

Under the first head, he inquires w^hat those things are 
of which a man may be innocently ignorant ? what degree 
of dihgence is required to exempt us from the charge of 
wilful or presumptuous ignorance ? what is a probable 
ignorance ? &c. He refuses the name of innocent ignorance 
to those professed Christians, who know not that which the 
universal church accounts necessary for salvation, though, 
of disputed points, he allows a man to doubt or to be 
ignorant with impunity. And he incidentally discusses the 
responsibility of children, at what time and according to 
what measures good or evil can be first imputed to them. 
Here, also, there are some expressions and illustrations 
which a reader of delicacy will wish away ; but the whole 
work, it may be considered, is scarcely such as females, 
or very young persons, w^ould study ; and it is, after all, 
perhaps, a curse inseparable from works of casuistry, that 
questions of a certain kind are always more or less involved 
in them. 

On the final causes of human actions, (his chapter con- 
cerning which is, in fact, an amplification of the principle 
that " Christianity is a religion of motives,") his rules are only 
three: — 1. That, to constitute a good action, the means 
and end must be symbolical. 2. That for actions in them- 
selves lawful, secondary motives are allowable. 3. That we 
are bound to regard the end and object of God's command- 
ments, as well as the action commanded in order to the end. 

All these he inculcates with his usual force and elo- 
quence, but they ofl'er nothing which calls for any peculiar 
comment. He concludes with observing, that, " if our 
actions be designed well, they are likely to end well ; for, 
in the service of God, a golden head shall never have the 
feet of clay. Nomini tuo da gloriam* !" 

^ Pago 414. 



292 LIFE OF .IKREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

Many, perhaps the greater part, of his positions are 
illustrated by examples or by apologues; the former chiefly 
extracted from the volumes of the Roman casuists, the 
latter, sometimes, as he tells us in his preface, containing 
real facts, and cases of conscience which had fallen under 
his own knowledge, conveyed under fictitious names and 
circumstances. 

Among the first of these, is the famous story which 
Walpolc has worked up into his tragedy of the " Mysterious 
Mother;" the scene of which has been often laid in 
England, and the time a little anterior to the Kevolution, 
but which Taylor relates as a Venetian anecdote, to be found 
in the writings of Comitolus''. He uses it to illustrate the 
position that, '' if an error be invincible, and the consequent 
of the persuasion be consistent with the state of grace, the 
error must rather be suffered than a grievous scandal, or an 
intolerable, or very great inconvenience." And he approves 
of the conduct of those learned and charitable casuists, who, 
in that case, determined to conceal from the young married 
couple, the dreadful and complicated incest of which, by 
that union, they were innocently guilty. 

It is not, however, from casuists or divines that he quotes 
alone. Historians, fathers, rabbies, poets, essayists, and 
jesters, are all ransacked for examples or illustrations, and 
he has given us one tale, not over decent, from, as he 
whimsically calls him, " My Lord Montaigne," as well as the 
celebrated story from the Facetiae of Poggio, of the Italian 
robber, who, though his conscience was at rest as to the 
murders he had committed, was inconsolable for having 
accidentally broken his fast in Lenf". 

On the whole, the " Ductor Dubitantium" is the work of a 
mind acute, vigorous, and imbued with an extent and variety 
of information which would have overburdened a meaner 
intellect, and by which Taylor himself is, perhaps, some- 
times encumbered rather than adorned. A mind it is 
essentially poetical rather than critical, ardent in conception 
more than lucid in arrangement. Yet his conceptions in 
themselves are almost always clear, though he overlays them 
not unfrequently with a profusion of words and metaphors, 

'^ Vol. xii. p. 30. ' Vol. x>i. p. 21 ; xiii. p. 218. 



LIFE OF JKKEMY TAYi:01i, l>.n. 29''i 

and tliougli he is apt to derive his first principles I'roiu 
springs of action in themselves circumstantial and secon- 
dary. But, though it offers, in some respects, a less profound 
and original view of human motives than is to be met with 
in later writers ; though its length renders it less readable, 
and the author's anxiety to say every thing on both sides of 
every question may leave a careless reader sometimes in 
suspense as to his final determination ; it is still a work 
which few can read without profit, and none, I think, without 
entertainment. It resembles, in some degree, those ancient 
inlaid cabinets, (such as Evelyn, Boyle, or Wilkins might 
have bequeathed to their descendants,) whose multifarious 
contents perplex our choice, and offer to the admiration or 
curiosity of a more accurate age, a vast wilderness of trifles 
and varieties, with no arranpement at all, or an arranoement 
on obsolete principles ; but whose ebony drawers and per- 
fumed recesses contain specimens of eveiy thing that is 
precious or uncommon, and many things for which a modern 
museum mig-ht be searched in vain. 

On the two works which conclude the fourteenth volume 
of this collection, I know not that many observations are 
necessary. " The Divine Institution and Necessity of the 
Office Ministerial," enforces the same doctrines, and by nearly 
the same arguments, as have been already considered in 
speaking of his '* Episcopacy Asserted." The application, 
however, of those principles is, in this place, more general, 
and levelled rather at those fanatics, who, without any ordi- 
nation, intrude on the ministerial office, than against those 
who reject the apostolic form of ecclesiastical government in 
favour of an aristocracy of presbyters. As such, it is, 
perhaps, better adapted to the evils of the present time than 
the work which I have formerly examined. 

On the diificult question of lay-ba])tism, which naturally 
arises from his present subject, he expresses himself with a 
becoming doubt and moderation. The tendency of his 
mind is very plainly to the high-church doctrine, not only 
that the practice is illegal and presumptuous, but that the 
rite thus administered is invalid, and ought to be repeated. 
He admits, however, that the general practice of all Christian 
churches has been different, and he joins with Augustine 



294 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

in expressing his own hesitation, " Nescio an pic repe- 
tendum'^." 

Those who wish to see the difficulty discussed at greater 
length, or to learn what has been the practical decision of 
the Church of England on this interesting inquiry, will find 
much curious learning and much sound sense in Bingham's 
*' Scholastic History of Lay Baptism," (published in the 
second volume of his Ecclesiastical Antiquities,) and in the 
excellent " Elucidation of the Common Prayer,'' by the late 
learned and amiable Mr. Shepherd*". In his ** Essay on 
Confirmation," it is remarkable that Taylor himself has varied 
from his severer opinion, and assents, apparently, to the usual 
and ancient principle of ** Fieri non debuit, factum valet ^." 

His " Rules and Advices to the Clergy" are, in a great 
degree, extracted from his two Sermons already noticed on 
** The Minister's Duty in Life and Doctrine^." They are 
methodized, however, and, in some instances, enlarged and 
rendered more practical. They can hardly be read too often, 
or, with the necessary allowance for some difference of cir- 
cumstances between Ireland and England, and between the 
seventeenth and the nineteenth century, be too carefully or 
too closely followed. 

The ** Golden Grove" begins with a short and simple 
catechism for young persons, but neither so short, so simple, 
nor so complete, as that which our liturgy supplies. It has 
the merit, however, of furnishing a more detailed explanation 
of some important circumstances in our religion, than a more 
general and complete system of instruction could contain 
with the necessary regard to brevity ; and may, therefore, 
be with advantage used in schools and families, conjointly 
with that of good dean Nowell. 

The exposition of the creed, which follows, deserves no 
higher praise than that of enumerating, under the different 
heads of the old and compendious confession, the various 
items which make up the sum of each. Sometimes he 
mistakes, like Doddridge, amplification for explanation ; and 
I do not know that a devout Christian gains much either of 

^ Pp.444 — 452. ^ Elucidation of the Common Prayer, vol. ii. p. 415. 

f Vol. xiv. p. 208. s Vol. vi. p. 483. 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, J).D. 295 

knowledge or edification by having the single word 
*' buried," decomposed into a statement wliich tells us how 
Christ, *' that he miglit suffer every thing of human nature, 
was, by the care of his friends and disciples, by the leave 
of Pilate, taken from the cross and embalmed, (as the 
manner of the Jews was to bury,) and wrapt in linen, and 
buried in a new grave hewn out of a rock/' &c. His com- 
mentaries, however, on the " Holy Ghost/' — " the Holy 
Catholic Church," and ** the Communion of Saints," as 
they are more necessary and useful, so they are executed 
with his usual force and doctrinal precision. His ''Agenda," 
too, (though, in some particulars, they are too ascetic, 
and calculated, it may be thought, to make men formalists 
rather than sincerely and actively holy,) are, generally 
speaking, excellent ; and his " Postulanda" better still. The 
" Litanies for all things and persons," only rank inferior to 
that in our church service ; and the other prayers, though 
some of them too wordy, are such as can hardly be uttered 
or even read without exciting a spirit of devotion. 

At the end of the " Golden Grove" are some hymns for 
different festivals, which, had they no other merit, would be 
interesting as the only remaining specimens of that which 
a mind so intrinsically poetical as Taylor's was, could effect 
when he attempted to arrange his conceptions in a metrical 
form. They are, however, in themselves, and on their own 
account, veiy interesting compositions. Their metre, indeed, 
which is that species of spurious Pindaric which was fashion- 
able with his contemporaries, is an obstacle, and must always 
have been one to their introduction into public or private 
psalmody ; and the mixture of that alloy of conceits and 
quibbles which was an equally frequent and still greater 
defilement of some of the finest poetry of the seventeenth 
century, will materially diminish their effect as devotional or 
descriptive odes. Yet witli all these faults, they are 
powerful, affecting, and often harmonious : there are many 
passages of which Cowley need not have been ashamed ; 
and some which remind us, not disadvantageously, of the 
corresponding productions of Milton. 

Such is the whole of the second " Hymn for Advent." 
Such, too, is the passage in his " Meditation on Heaven/' 
where he describes — 



296 I.IKE OF JEREMY TAYLOU, D.D. 

" That bright eternity, 
Where the great King's transparent throne 
Is of an entire jasper stone : 

There the eye 

O' tlie chrysolite, 

And a sky 
Of diamonds, rubies, chrysoprase, 
And, above all, Thy holy face, 

IMake an eternal clarity. 
When Thou thy jewels dost l)ind up, that day 

Remember us, we pray. 
That, where the beryl lies. 
And the crystal, 'bove the skies, 
There Thou mayst appoint us place, 
Within the brightness of Thy face ; 

And our soul 

In the scroll 
Of life and blissfulness enroll 
That we may praise thee to eternity !" 

A more regular metre, and words more applicable to 
public devotion, may be found in the " Prayer for Charity." 

'■'' Full of mercy, full of love. 
Look upon us from above ! 
Thou who taught'st the blind man's night 
To entertain a double light, 
Thine, and the day's (and that thine too ;) 
The lame away his crutches threw ; 
The parched crust of leprosy 
Returned vuito its infancy ; 
The dumb amazed was to hear 
His own unchain'd tongue strike his ear : 
Thy powerful mercy did ee'n chase 
The devil from his usurped place, 
Where thou thyself shouldst dwell, not he. 
Oh, let thy love a pattern be ; 
Let thy mercy teach one brother 
To forgive and love another ; 
That copying thy mercy here, 
Thy goodness may hereafter rear 
Our souls unto thy glory, when 
Our dust shall cease to be with men ^.'"' 

His work on the Psalter has no resemblance to those of 
Hammond, Horsley, or even Home. It merely consists of 
one or more prayers to each psalm, more or less appropriate 
to their respective subjects, and followed by a collection of 
devotions for various occasions. All these last are not 

'' Pp. 64 and fll. 



LIFE OK JEREMY TAVLOH, 0.1). 297 

original; all, however, are devout and practical, and, in the 
alternations of a regular and systematic piety, may be useful. 
His recommendation, in the preface, of the Psalter as a guide 
to, and foundation for, as well as an mi failing accom- 
paniment of, our daily prayers, is at once characteristic and 
sensible, and deserves the serious attention of those who 
have hitherto paid a less habitual deference to the most 
devotional and one of the most instructive parts of the sacred 
volume. 

The *' Collection of Offices," was intended as a substitute 
for the Common Prayer, when the use of this last was pro- 
scribed. As a substitute, it is, certainly, well adapted to its 
end, and this being the case, it is no disparagement to say, 
that it falls extremely short of its original. There are, how- 
ever, some beautiful prayers in the occasional offices, for 
widows, — the persecuted, — the prisoners, — the sick and 
the lunatic, which are admirably qualified to give comfort 
and relief to the broken heart, and may afford very valuable 
assistance to the clergy in the most popular and one of the 
most important of their ministries. The penitential litany, at 
the end of the work, is a striking summary of human crimes 
and follies'. 

The last in date, and one of the best and most useful of 
his devotional works, is his '' Worthy Communicant," which 
is, indeed, as its subject required, not only devotional but 
practical, and embraces in itself many of the same powerful 
and persuasive arguments against the self-flattery of the 
unrepenting sinner, and the needless terrors of the scrupulous 
conscience, which are detailed at greater length, and with a 
larger display of authorities, in the controversial and casuis- 
tical works which occupy the preceding volumes. This, 
indeed, with the " Holy Living and Dying," may be said to 
offer a complete summary of the duties and specimen of the 
devotions of a Christian ; in which, while no necessary 
question of practice or piety is passed over, no doubtful or 
merely controversial question is admitted. In the lessons 
which flow from this chair, in the incense which flames on 
this altar, the sound of worldly polemics is hushed, the light 
of worldly fires becomes dim. We see a saint in his closet, 

* Pj) .-{jn, ;{3-2. :ux :;.'><», *^r. 



298 LIFE OF JEREMV TAYLOR, D.D. 

a Christian bishop in his ministry, and we rise from the inter- 
course impressed and softened with a sense how much our 
own practice yet needs amendment, and how mighty has been 
that faith of which these are the fruits, that hope of which 
these are the pledges and prelibations. 

Of the broader and more general lines of Taylor's literary 
character, a very few observations may be sufficient. The 
greatness of his attainments, and the powers of his mind, are 
evident in all his writings, and to the least attentive of his 
readers. It is hard to point out a branch of learning or of 
scientific pursuit to which he does not occasionally allude ; 
or any other of eminence, either ancient or modern, with 
whom he does not evince himself acquainted. And it is 
certain, that as very few other writers have had equal riches 
to display, so he is apt to display his stores with a lavish 
exuberance, which the severer taste of Hooker or of Barrow 
would have condemned as ostentatious, or rejected as cum- 
bersome. Yet he is far from a mere reporter of other men's 
arguments, — a textuary of fathers and schoolmen, — who 
resigns his reason into the hands of his predecessors, and 
who employs no other instrument for convincing his readers 
than a lengthened string of authorities. His familiarity 
with the stores of ancient and modern literature is em- 
ployed to illustrate more frequently than to establish his 
positions ; and may be traced, not so much in direct citation, 
(though of this, too, there is, perhaps, more than suffi- 
cient,) as in the abundance of his allusions, the character 
of his imagery, and the frequent occurrence of terms of 
foreign derivation, or employed in a foreign and unusual 
meaning. 

It is thus that he more than once refers to obscure stories 
in ancient writers, as if they were, of necessity, as familiar to 
all his readers as himself; that he talks of " poor Attilius 
Aviola," or " the Lybian lion," that *' brake loose into his 
wilderness, and killed two Roman boys ;" as if the accidents 
of which he is speaking had occurred in London a few weeks 
before. It is thus that, in warning an English (or a Welsh) 
auditory, against the brief term of mortal luxury, he enume- 
rates a long list of ancient dainties, and talks of '* the con- 
dited bellies of the scarus," and " drinking of healths by the 
numeral letters of Philenium's name." It is thus that one of 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOK, D.D. 299 

his strangest and harshest siniihes, where he compares an 
ill-sorted marriage to going to-bed witli a dragon," is the 
suggestion of a mind familiar with those Lamicv. with female 
faces and extremities like a serpent, of whose enticements 
stran2:e stories are told in the old daemonolosfies. And thus 
that he speaks of the " justice'' instead of the '* juice" of 
fishes ; of on " excellent " pain ; of the gospel being 
preached, not to ** the common people," but to " idiots ;" 
and of " serpents" (meaning " creeping things/') devouring 
our bodies in the grave. It is this which gives to many of 
his most striking passages the air of translations, and which, 
in fact, may well lead us to believe that some of them are 
indeed the selected members of different and disjointed 
classics. 

On the other hand, few circumstances can be named 
which so greatly contribute to the richness of his matter, the 
vivacity of his style, and the harmony of his language, than 
those copious drafts on all which is wise, or beautiful, or 
extraordinary, in ancient wTiters or in foreign tongues ; and 
the very singularity and hazard of his phrases have not unfre- 
quently a peculiar charm, which the observers of a tamer and 
more ordinary diction can never hope to inspire. 

One of these archaisms, and a very graceful one, is the 
introduction of the comparative degree, simply and without 
its contrasted quantity, of which he has made a very frequent 
use, but which he has never employed without producing an 
effect of striking beauty. 

Thus, he tells us of " a more healthy sorrow ;" of *' the 
air's looser p;arment, or the wilder frinoes of the fire ;" which, 
though in a style purely English, they would be probably 
replaced by positive or superlative epithets, could hardly 
sutler this change without a considerable detraction from the 
spirit and raciness of the sentence. The same observation 
may apply to the use of *' prevaricate," in an active sense ; 
to " the temeration of ruder handlings ;" and to many similar 
expressions, which, if unusual, are at least expressive and 
sonorous, and which could hardly be replaced by the corre- 
sponding vernacular phrases without a loss of brevity or 
beauty. Of such expressions as these, it is only necessary 
to observe, that their use, to be effectual or allowable. 



300 LIFE OF JEUEMV TAVLOH, D.D. 

should be more discreet, perhaps, and infrequent, than is the 
case in the works of Taylor. 

I have already noticed the familiarity which he himself 
displays, and which he apparently expected to find, in an 
almost equal degree, in his readers or hearers, with the facts 
of history, the opinions of philosophy, the productions of 
distant climates, and the customs of distant nations. Nor, in 
the allusions or examples which he extracts from such 
sources, is he always attentive to the weight of authority, or 
the probability of the fact alleged. The age, mdeed, in 
which he lived, was, in many respects, a credulous one. 
The discoveries which had been made by the enterprise of 
travellers, and the unskilful, and as yet immature efforts of 
the new philosophy, had extended the knowledge of man- 
kind just far enough to make them know that much yet 
remained uncertain, and that many things were true which 
their fathers had held for impossible. Such absence of 
scepticism is, of all states of the human mind, most favour- 
able to the increase of knowledge ; but for the preservation 
of truths already acquired, and the needful separation of 
truth from falsehood, it is necessary to receive the testimony 
of men, however positive, with more of doubt than Boyle, 
Wilkins, or even Bacon, appear to have been accustomed to 
exercise. 

But Taylor was any thing rather than a critical inquirer 
into facts (however strange) of history or philosophy. If 
such alleged facts suited his purpose, he received them with- 
out examination, and retailed them without scruple ; and we 
therefore read, in his works, of such doubtful or incredible 
examples as that of a single city containing fifteen millions 
of inhabitants ; of the Neapolitan manna, which failed 
as soon as it was subjected to a tax ; and of the monument 
" nine furlongs high," which was erected by Ninus, the 
Assyrian. 

Nor, in his illustrations, even where they refer to matters 
of daily observation, or of undoubted truth, is he always 
attentive to accuracy. " When men sell a mule," he tells 
us, '' they speak of the horse that begat him, not of the 
ass that bore him." It is singular, that he should forget 
that, of mules, the ass is always the father. What follows 



LIFE OK JEREMY I' AY LOU, D.I). 301 

is still more extraordinary, inasmucli as it shows a forget- 
fulness of the circumstances of two of the most ilhistrious 
events in the Old Testament. " We should fight," says 
he, '* as Gideon did, with three hundred hardy brave fellows 
that would stand against all violence, rather than to make 
a noise with ram's horns and broken pitchers, like the men 
at the siege of Jericho." Had he thought twice, he must 
have recollected that ** making a noise" was at least one 
principal part of the service required from Gideon's troops, 
and that the " broken pitchers" were their property alone, 
and a circumstance of w^hich the narrative of the sie2:e of 

CI 

Jericho affords not the least mention. 

An occasional occurrence of such errors is indeed un- 
avoidable ; and, irrelevant as some of his illustrations are, and 
uncertain as may be the truth of others, there is none, per- 
haps, of his readers who would wish those illustrations 
fewer, to which his w^orks owe so much of their force, their 
impressiveness, and their entertainment. As a reasoner, I 
do not think him matchless. He is, indeed, always acute, 
and, in practical questions, almost always sensible. His 
knowledge was so vast, that on every point of discussion he 
set out with great advantage, as being familiar with all the 
necessary preliminaries of the question, and with every 
ground or argument which had been elicited on either side 
by former controversies. But his ow^n understanding was 
rather inventive than critical. He never failed to find a 
plausible argument for any opinion which he himself enter- 
tained ; he was as ready with plausible objections to every 
argument which might be advanced by his adversaries ; 
and he was completely master of the whole detail of con- 
troversial attack and defence, and of every weapon of elo- 
quence, irony, or sarcasm, which was most proper to per- 
suade or to silence. But his own views were sometimes 
indistinct, and often hasty. His opinions, therefore, though 
always honest and ardent, he had sometimes occasion, 
in the course of his life, to change ; and instances have 
been already pointed out, not only where his reasoning is 
inconclusive, but where positions, ardently maintained in 
some of his writings, are doubted or denied in others. But, 
it shoidd be remembered how much he wrote during a life in 
itself not lono-. and, in its rircumslanccs, bv no means 



302 LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 

favourable to accurate research or calm reasoning. Nor 
can it be a subject of surprise, that a poor and oppressed 
man should be sometimes hurried too far in opposition to 
his persecutors, or that one who had so little leisure for 
the correction of his works should occasionally be found 
to contradict and repeat himself. 

I have already had occasion to point out the versatility 
of his talents, which, though uniformly exerted on subjects 
appropriate to his profession, are distinguished, where such 
weapons are needed, by irony and caustic humour, as well as 
by those milder and sublimer beauties of style and sentiment 
which are his more familiar and distinguishing character- 
istics. Yet to such weapons he has never recourse either 
w^antonly or rashly. Nor do I recollect any instance in 
which he has employed them in the cause of private or 
personal, or even polemical hostility, or any occasion 
where their fullest severity was not justified and called for 
by crimes, by cruelty, by interested superstition, or base 
and sordid hypocrisy. His satire was always kept in check 
by the depth and fervour of his religious feelings, his charity, 
and his humility. 

It is on devotional and moral subjects, however, that the 
peculiar character of his mind is most, and most successfully, 
developed. To this service he devotes his most glowing lan- 
guage ; to this his aptest illustrations : his thoughts, and his 
words, at once burst into a flame, when touched by the 
coals of this altar; and whether he describes the duties, 
or dangers, or hopes of man, or the mercy, power, and 
justice of the Most High ; whether he exhorts or instructs 
his brethren, or offers up his supplications in their behalf to 
the common Father of all, — -his conceptions and his ex- 
pressions belong to the loftiest and most sacred description 
of poetry, of which they only want, what they cannot 
be said to need, the name and the metrical arrangement. 

It is this distinctive excellence, still more than the other 
qualifications of learning and logical acuteness, which has 
placed him, even in that age of gigantic talent, on an emi- 
nence superior to any of his immediate contemporaries ; 
which has exempted him from the comparative neglect into 
which the dry and repulsive learning of Andrews and San- 
derson has fallen; — which has Icit behind the acuteness 



LIFE OF JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D. 303 

of Hales, and the imaginative and copious eloquence of 
Bishop Hall, at a distance hardly less than the cold ele- 
gance of Clark, and the dull good sense of Tillotson ; and 
has seated him, by the almost unanimous estimate of poste- 
rity, on the same lofty elevation with Hooker and with 
Barrow. 

Of such a triumvirate, who shall settle the precedence? 
Yet it may, perhaps, be not far from the truth to observe, 
that Hooker claims the foremost rank in sustained and clas- 
sic dignity of style, in political and pragmatical wisdom ; 
that to Barrow the praise must be assigned of the closest 
and clearest views, and of a taste the most controlled and 
chastened ; but that in imagination, in interest, in that 
which more properly and exclusively deserves the name of 
genius, Taylor is to be placed before either. The first awes 
most, the second convinces most, the third persuades and 
dehghts most : and, (according to the decision of one whose 
own rank among the ornaments of English literature yet 
remains to be determined by posterity,) Hooker is the object 
of our reverence, Barrow of our admiration, and Jeremy 
Taylor of our love *". 



* 'ilx'/ioav JU.SV ffiZ'jj Cc(,vfjt.uZ.cJti Bccppovsv, xat (piXZ TcciXu^ov. — I^ote to Parvus 
Spital Sermon. — This characteristic and powerful isentcnce has heea ah'eady 
noticed by Archdeacon Bouney. 



NOTES. 



NOTE (A). 



Mr. Bonney supposes him to have been their second son ; 
but I am indebted to the kindness of my friend and connexion, 
Mr. Julius Hare, fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, for 
the following list, extracted from the parish register, which 
makes it apparent that he had two elder brothers, and one 
eld^ sister. There are other persons of the same name 
mentioned in the register, but none whom we have any 
reason to suppose connected with the bishop's family. Nor 
is it quite certain that the surname of Nathaniel Taylor's 
wife is correctly spelled, the writing in the register being 
very indistinct. As their first son was named Edmond, it is 
probable that the Edmond Taylor entered as churchwarden, 
was Nathaniel's father or near relation. 

'' 1589. Edmond Taylor, churchwarden. 

1605. Nathaniel Taylor and Mary Dean, married the 13th 
of October. 

1606. Edmond Taylor, churchwarden. 

Edmond, son of Nathaniel and Mary Taylor, bapt. 

August 3. 

1607. Edmond Taylor, buried 22d September. 

1609. Mary Taylor, daughter of Nathaniel and Mary, 
bapt. 11th June. 

1611. Nathaniel Taylor, son of Nathaniel and Mary, bapt. 
8 December. 

1613. Jeremy Taylor, son of Nathaniel and Mary, bapt. 
15 August. 

1616. Thomas Taylor, son of Nathaniel and Mary, bapt. 
21 July. 

1919. John Taylor, son of Nathaniel and Mary, bapt. 
13 April. 

1621. Churchwardens, Tobias Smith and Nr.thaniel 
Taylor," 



30G NOTES. 

There are two old houses in Cambridge, which tradition 
points out as claimants for the honour of having been the 
place of Taylor's birth. The preference seems to rest with 
that which is now the Bull Inn, opposite Trinity Church. 
The rival tenement, known by the sign of the Wrestlers, in 
the Petty Cury, is, as I am assured, beyond the limits of the 
parish where Jeremy Taylor and his brothers were baptized, 
where his parents were married, and where his father, as 
above stated, served the office of churchwarden. 



NOTE (B). 

The arms are '' Ermine, on a chief indented sable, three 
escallops, or; the crest a lion rampant, issuant, ermine, 
having between his paws a ducal coronet, or." I find in 
Gwyllim's Heraldry, p. 244, (a book so full of odd information 
and entertainment of a peculiar kind, as almost to justify 
the predilection of Sir Hildebrand Osbaldiston,) that *' this 
coat was confirmed to Roger Taylor, son of Thomas Taylor, 
son of Roger Taylor, of London, Esquire, by Sir William 
Segar, Garter, December 4, 1674, in the 12th year of King 
James the First." But my inquiries at the heralds' office 
have not succeeded in tracing any connection between this 
family, and that either of the bishop, or Doctor Rowland 
Taylor. 

NOTE (C). 

The account of Rowland Taylor's character and suffer- 
ings may be found in the Book of Martyrs, p. 155, ed. 1752, 
and in Wordsworth's Ecclesiastical Biography, vol. ii. 
p. 483. The spot where he suffered on Aldham Common 
was distinguished, in after times, by a rude stone with a ruder 
inscription : — 

"■ Doctor Taylor, for defending what was good, 
In this place shed his blood." 

This was enclosed with iron rails by David Wilkins, D.D., 
rector ofHadleigh in 1721 — (See Niciioll's Illustrations of 
Literary History, vol. iii. p. 436.) In 1819, a neat obelisk 
was erected above it by subscription, with the following 



NOTES. 307 

spirited lines from the pen of the Rev. Dr. Hay Drum- 
mond. 

"• Tills is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 



*' Mark this rude stone, where Taylor dauntless stooJ, 
"^lliere zeal inftiriate drank the martyr's blood ! 
Hadleip:li ! that day liow many a tearful eye 
Saw thy loved Pastor drag:i>'d a victim Ity ! 
Still scattering gifts and blessings as he past. 
To the blind pair his farewell alms were cast. 
His clinging Hock ev'n here around him i)ray'd, 
* As thou hast aided us, be God thine aid !' 
Nor taunts, nor bribe of mitred rank, nor stake, 
Nor blows, nor flames, his heart of firmness shake ; 
Serene, his folded hands, his upward eyes. 
Like holy Stephen's, seek the opening skies : — 
There, fix'd in rapture, his prophetic sight 
Views truth dawn clear on England's bigot night. 
Triimiphant Saint ! he boAv'd to kiss the rod ; 
Then soar'd on senpli wing to meet his God !" 

NOTE (D). 

In the note of Jeremy Taylor's admission at Cains 
College, (see Bonney, p. 3, 4, note,) his tutor, Bachcroft, 
represents him as fifteen years of age, and as having been, 
for ten years, under the tuition of Mr. Lovering. But, in 1626, 
the year of his entrance, he cannot have been more than 
thirteen, and he is represented as no more by his friend and 
encomiast Bishop Rust. It is probable, therefore, that his 
parents, in order to facilitate his becoming a member of the 
university, represented him as older than he really was, and 
as having attended school longer than he could have done 
with any advantage. Hence, however, a degree of uncer- 
tainty has attached itself to his age ; and Sir James Ware, 
in the Catalogue of Irish Bishops, has supposed him, at the 
time of his death, to have been two years older than he 
really can have been. 

NOTE (E). 

In the '* Pietas Puerilis " of Erasmus, the young scholar 
is made to say, " Adornata parentibus mensa, recito conse- 
crationem, deinde, prandentibu,s ministro, donee jubeor et 
ipse prandium sumere." 



308 NOTES. 



NOTE (F). 



The archbishop's letter of recommendation is as follows: 
It has been already published by my friend Mr. BHss, in his 
excellent edition of the Athenae Oxonienses, art. Taylor, 
p. 782, vol. iii., from Tanner's MSS. in the Bodleian. A 
copy, also, corresponding exactly with this, is in the archives 
of All Souls. 

*' To the Warden and Fellows of All-Souls Coll., Oxford. 
Sain tern in Christ o. 

" These are on the behalf of an honest man and a good 
scholar : Mr. O shorn, being to give over his fellowship, 
was with me at Lambeth, and, I thank him, freely proffered 
me the nomination of a scholar to succeed in his place. 
Now, having seriously deliberated with myself touching 
this business, and being willing to recommend such an 
one to you as you might thank me for, I am resolved to 
pitch upon Mr. Jeremiah Taylour, of whose abilitys and 
sufficiencys every ways I have received very good assurance. 
And I do hereby heartily pray you to give him all further- 
ance by yourself and the fellows at the next election, not 
doubting but that he will approve himself a worthy and 
learned member of your society. And, though he has had 
his breeding, for the most part, in the other university, yet I 
hope that shall be no prejudice to him, in regard that he is in- 
corporated into Oxford, (ut sit eodem ordine, gradu. See.,) and 
admitted into University College. Neither can I learn that 
there is any thing in your local statutes against it. I doubt 
not but you will use him with so fair respects, as befits 
a man of his rank and learning, for which I shall not fail to 
give you thanks. So I leave him to your kindness, and rest 

** Your loving friend, 

*' William Cant.'' 

" Lambeth House, October 23, 1635." 

My authority for the account I have given of the pro- 
ceedings of the College, in consequence of this letter, is 
a certificate signed " William Page," contained in a note 
to a MS. copy of the statutes of All Souls, with many 
marginal observations, which formerly belonged to warden 



XOTES. 309 

Gardiner, and is now kept in the warden's lodoincrs as an 
heir-loom. Page gives the account nearly as I have stated 
it, and vouches from his own knowledge, (he having been 
a fellow of the college at the time,) that the fellows were 
** almost unanimous in their election of Taylor T 

The William Page, whose narrative this is, was a person 
of some reputation among his contemporaries. He became 
a fellow of All Souls, 1619, and was afterwards, through the 
patronage of Laud, rector of Reading school, and of East 
Locking near Wantage. He wrote, among other things, 
a Treatise on Bowing at the Name of Jesus, which arch- 
bishop Abbot commanded him to suppress ; but which Laud, 
on succeeding to the primacy, encouraged him to publish. 
— Wood, Athena:, vol. ii. p. 332. ed. p. 1721. 

The nomination of Taylor to the fellowship, on its de- 
volving, as I have stated, to the visitor, has been also pub- 
lished both by Mr. Bliss and Mr. Bonney. 

*' Nominatio Jer. Taylor ad locum Socii in Coll. Omn. 
Anim. Oxon. 

'* Gulielmus Providentia Divina Cant. Archiep'us, totius 
Angliae Primas & Metropol. neciion Universitatis Oxon. 
Cancellar. CoUegiique Animarum Omnium fidelium defunc- 
torum de Oxon. Visitator, Patronus et Ordinarius. Dilec- 
tis nobis in Christo, Custodi, Vice-custodi, omnibusque et 
singulis dicti Collegii Sociis et scholaribus, salutem et 
gratiam. Cum locus Socii Artista Collegii vestri dudum 
vacaverit, et vacuus est in pra2senti, cumque potestas sup- 
plendi deficientem numerum Sociorum vestrorum nobis per 
statuta vestri Collegii sit reservata, ratione negligenticB 
vestrae, eo quod dictus locus Socii vacantis, infra dies in 
statutis Collegii vestri limitatos, per vos non fuerit perim- 
pletus. Nos numerum Sociorum vestrorum, secundum po- 
testatem a Fundatore vestro nobis commissam implerc 
volentes, Jeremiam Taylor ad dictum locum vacantem de- 
signamus vobis, mandantes ut prsefatum Jeremiam Taylor 
ad dictum locum vacantem secundum formam statutorum 
Collegii vestri recipiatis et admittatis. In cujus rei testi- 
monium, sigillum nostrum Archiep'ale precsentibus apponi 
fecimus. Dat.' in manerio nostro de Lambehith, vicesimo 
primo die mensis Novcnibris, anno D'ni 1035, et nostroc 
trans, anno tcrtio." 



310 NOTES. 

In consequence of this mandate, Taylor was admitted, 
as appears by the college book, where he is described as 
" Jeremias Taylor, Dioc. Elie. Artium Mag. 1636. Jan. 14." 
It is remarkable, that both he and two others who were 
admitted at the same time, are described as admitted, " in 
veros et perpetuos Socios." But, to become an actual 
fellow, in the first instance, without a previous year of pro- 
bation, is a privilege peculiar to founder's kin. How Taylor 
came by it I am ignorant. If I could trace his descent 
to any of the families connected with the stock of Chichele, 
it v/ould sufficiently confirm my hypothesis of his gentility. 
But on this point I am without information. 



NOTE (G). 

"■ Then followed the charge of Sancta Clara's book, 
alias Mounsieur S*. Giles : so they expressed it, and I must 
follow the way they lead me. First then, they charge that 
I had often conference with him while he ivas writing his 
book entitled ' Deus, Natura, Gratia.' No ; he never came 
to me till he was ready to print that book. Then some 
friends of his brought him to me. His suit then was, that he 
might print that book here. Upon speech with him, I found 
the scope of his book to be such, as that the Church of 
England would have little cause to thank him for it: and 
so absolutely denied it. Nor did he ever come more at 
me after this, but twice or thrice at most, when he made 
great friends to me, that he might print another book to 
prove that bishops are by divine right. My answer then 
was, that I did not like the way which the Church of 
Rome went in the case of episcopacy. And, howsoever, that 
I would never give way that any such book should be 
printed here from the pen of a Romanist, and that the 
bishops of England were able to defend their ow^n cause 
and calling, without calling in aid from Rome ; and would 
in due time. Maintenance he never had any from me, 
nor did I then know him to be a priest. Nor was there any 
proof so much asofiered in contrary to any of this." — Laud's 
Troubles and Trials p. 385. 

For the manner of Davenport's introduction to Laud 



XOTKS. 311 

by Liiidsell, see Canterbury's Doom, p. 427 ; quoted in the 
Athenee Oxonienses, vol. iii. col. 1223. 



NOTE (H). 

** Quotidianis eorum quos Regiee commendarent liters 
ad gradiim quemcunque promotionibus lassata demum Uni- 
versitas, frequentem vicesimo primo Feb. Senatum coegit, 
in quo Vicecancellarii 8c Praefectorum libellus siipplex, 
Regi contra gradus temere et quasi fortuito conferendos 
porrigendus, recitatur. Hi vero damna nobis necessario 
facienda Carolo ob oculos ponebant, Actibus utique et 
Exercitiis quibusque Scholasticis in desuetudinem abeun- 
tibus, vel etiam omnino deletis, serarium academicum ex- 
inanitum fore, restinctis quoque magnorum ingenioruni stu- 
diis summa Universitatem infamia laboraturam edocentes. 
Accepto autem supplici illo Togatorum libello, tunc qui- 
dem ostendit Rex quam vere et animitus bonarum litera- 
runi curam ageret. Quam vis enin^ et opibus et authori- 
tate baud adeo abundanti percomn'jodum videretur fidem 
suorum et officia honoribus togatis remunerare, statu it 
tamen et edixit nequis Gradum Academicum in questum 
ambiens literas suas commendatrices deinceps expectaret; 
quod, si cuiquam concederentur, ad locum inter Academi- 
cos quern expeteret habilem sese et idoneum secundum 
Statuta probaret, cautionem de prsestandis exercitiis in- 
terponeret, et feuda consueta persolveret ; alitor nullam 
literarum suarum habendam esse rationem." — Wood, Hist, 
et Aiit. Ox. ann. 1642. 1. i. p. 359. 

NOTE (I). 

" I had no books," says Taylor, " of my own here, nor 
any in the voisinage ; and but that I remembered the result 
of some of those excellent discourses I had heard your Lord- 
ship make, ichen I was so happij as, in private, to gather 
up what your temperance and modesty forbids to be public, 1 
had come ' in .proelia inermis,' and like enough, might 
have fared accordingly." — Epislle Dedicatory to the 
Liberty of Prophesying, vol. vii. p. cccxcvii. For the 
encouragement and assistance afforded by Hatton to Dug- 



312 NOTES. 

dale, see Wood. Athen, ii. Fasti, p. 92 ; and Dugdale's 
Dedication to the Antiquities of Warwickshire. Hatton's 
loyalty and attachment to the Church of England have been 
never impeached. — Of the first, the Letter from King 
Charles, published by Mr. Bonney, is an evidence ; as is 
also the sequestration of his estate by the Parliament in 
1649. — Whitelock. p. 125. The latter was shown by the 
pains which he took in frustrating the attempt of Queen 
Henrietta Maria to bring over the Duke of Gloucester to 
popery. — See Clarendon, Hist. Reb. iii. 426 ; and Carte, Life 
of Ormond, ii. pp. 164, 167-8. It is something remarkable, 
that none of Taylor's biographers have noticed a passage in 
his dedication of the Great Exemplar, in which he appears 
to claim kindred with Hatton. He there " entreats his lord- 
ship to account him in the number of his relatives'' This is 
a very unusual expression, if he meant by it no more than 
" friends " or *' dependants ; " and the word ** relative" 
is elsewhere employed by Taylor in its usual and modern 
acceptation. The family of Taylor himself is involved in 
so much obscurity, that it is hopeless to inquire whether 
or at what period his ancestors had become connected with 
those of his patron. But the connexion (though it would, 
in this case, hardly amount to relationship,) may have been 
through one of his wives ; though on this point also I am 
without information. 

NOTE (J). 

The first edition of this work is in 12mo, entitled, 
" The Psalter of David, with Titles and Collects accord- 
ing to the matter of each Psalm. By the Right Honourable 
Christopher Hatton. Oxon. 1644." The same work occurs 
in Royston's Catalogue at the end of " The Great Exemplar, 
Lond. 1653." And the " Fifth edition, with additionals," is 
mentioned in the catalogue of the same bookseller, appended 
to the ^v/mQo}u)v ii^izo-<roX£,(Mixov. Lond. 1657. 

In both cases it is^said to be by the Right Honour- 
able Christopher Hatton; and accordingly it is regarded 
as his work by both Wood and Collins. The preface, how- 
ever, and many of the prayers, bear evident marks of 
Taylor's characteristic and inimitable workmanship. And 



XOTES. 313 

at length, in the eighth edition enlarged, published by Roys- 
ton in 1672, the name of Hatton is omitted, and that of 
" Jer. Taylor, D.D. Chaplain to King Charles 1st. of blessed 
Memory," is inserted in its place. — To these facts nothing 
can be opposed but the assertion in the preface, that its 
author did not " wait at the altar." But, if the work were 
designed to pass for Hatton's, such an expression is no more 
than we should expect to find ; and the authenticity of the 
volume is now, indeed, very generally acknowledged. 

For most of the facts contained in the above note, I have 
again to acknowledge my obligations to Mr. Bonney's manu- 
script information. 

NOTE (K). 

William Nicholson was the son of Christopher Nichol- 
son, a rich clothier of Stratford, near Hadleigh, Suffolk. 
He was brought up as a chorister at Magdalen College, Ox- 
ford, where he was afterwards bible clerk, and, eventually, 
became tutor to the Lord Percy, and chaplain to his father 
the Earl of Northumberland. In 1616, he was elected 
master of the free-school at Croydon, where his discipline 
and powers of instruction were much celebrated. He re- 
signed this situation in 1629, when he obtained the rectory 
of Llandilo Vawr, in Caermarthenshire ; to which were 
afterwards added the dignities of residentiary of St. David's 
and archdeacon of Brecknock. In 1643, he was named as 
one of the assembly of divines at Westminster, probably by 
the interest of the earl of Northumberland ; but he never 
took his place among them, and his livings being shortly 
after sequestered, he again taught school for his main- 
tenance, in which way of life he continued till the Re- 
storation. 

In 1660-1, he was appointed bishop of Gloucester, by 
the interest of Lord Clarendon, whom Wood insinuates 
that he had bribed. But as his character appears to have 
stood high with all parties, and as he had a strong and legi- 
timate claim on the patronage of government, for his un- 
shaken loyalty, and bold and pertinacious defence of the 
church during its most helpless and hopeless depression, it 
seems most reasonable, as well as most charitable, to ascribe 
his preferment rather to his merits than to simony. He 



314 NOTES. 

died Feb. 5, 1671, and was honoured with the following 
epitaph by the excellent George Bull, afterwards Bishop of 
St. David's. 

" -(Eternitati S. In spe beatae resiirrectionis, hic reverendas exuvias 
deposuit Theologxis insignis, Episcopiis vere primitivus, Gul. Nicholson, 
in agro SufFolciano natus, apud Magdalenses educatns, ob fidem Regi et 
Ecclesiae afflictae praestitam, ad sedem Glocestrensem merito promotus, 
anno 1G60. In concionibus frequens, in scriptis nervosus, legenda scribens, 
et faciens scribenda. Gravitas Episcopalis in fronte emicnit, pauporibiis 
quotidiana charitate beneficus, comitate erga clerum et liberatos admi- 
randus, gloriae ac dierum satur, in palatio suo, ut vixit, pie decessit, 
Feb. 5, Anno aetatis lxxii. Dom. mdclxxi. Elizabetha conjux praeivit, 
in hoc sacello sepulta, Apr. xx. An. Dom. mdclxiii. Owemis Brigstock de 
Lechdenny in comitatu Caermarthen, Armiger, praedictae Elizabethae nepos, 
hoc grati animi momimentum, (executore i-ecusante,) propriis sumptibus 
erexit. An. mdclxxix." 

Bishop Nicholson's published works, of which a cata- 
logue is given by Wood, are all of a practical and useful 
character. That he was joined, for a time at least, with 
Taylor in his school at Newton, appears from the following 
epitaph which Mr. Bonney has published, and to which I 
have already alluded in the text : 

MS. 

" Griffini Lloyd, de Cwmgwilly, Armigeri, qui, honestis parentibus 
Llanarthneiae natus, literarum tyrocinia posuit sub summis viris Gul. Nichol- 
sono, Ep. postea Glocestrensi, et Jer. Tayloro Ep. Dunensi, qui gras- 
sante Crorawellii tyrannide, in hac vicinia victum queritabant." — Bonney, 
p. 175. 

William Wyat, Taylor's other associate in this under- 
taking, was born at Todenham, in Gloucestershire; and, 
after some delay in obtaining his degrees at Oxford, through 
the calamities attendant on the civil war, became B.D. 
Sept. 12, 1661. On leaving Newton Hall, he taught at 
Evesham, in Worcestershire; and, afterwards, was assistant 
in a private school at Twickenham, kept by William Fuller, 
afterwards Bishop of Lincoln. Under his patronage he was 
installed prebendary of Lidington, May 13, 1668, and pre- 
centor of Lincoln Cathedral, November 6th of the same year. 
The latter dignity he resigned in 1681, but retained the pre- 
bend till his death, which took place in the house of Sir 
Richard Newdigate, at Nuneaton, in Warwickshire. He 
was buried at Astley, in the same county, where, over the 



4 



NOTKS. 315 

communiou-table, is a small marble tablet, with tlie following 
quaint inscription : 

P. M. 

" Gulielmi Wyat, S. T. B. quem ab ecclesia Lincoln, (nbi Praecentor 
erat mcritissimus,) hue traxit quietis stiidium et honoratse juxta de Arhti- 
ria familife vicinitas et patrocinium, qnilnis fnii c«tera omnia lubens 
desereret. Obiit 9 Septembris, 1685, in maj^na sua climacteria, et quia, uti 
vixerat, sic moreretur, omnibus mmieris absolutus. 

BoNNEV, AfS. p. 44. BiiowvE Willis, Hist, of 
Cathedrals, vol. ii. pp. 89, 211. 

For Sir John Powell's epitaph I am indebted to his 
descendant, the Reverend Mr. Evans, of Newtown Hall, in 
the county of Montgomery. 

M. s. 

JoHANNis Powell, Equitis Aurati, 

Qualis fuerit, non ab exiguo Monumenti marmore, 

Sed ab annalibus Regni Historicorum Libris 

Quaeras edoceri Bonas Artes, quibus sub optimo Praeceptore, 

( Jeremia Taylor) postea Episcopo Dunensi, 

A prima Juventute enutritus erat, 

In academia debinc Oxoniensi, feliciter excoluit. 

Inde (quanquam Literis humanioribus dedito 

Ruri eleganter delitescere. 

Quae erat ejus modestia, magis allubescerat,) 

Patriaj tamen sese deberi ratus, 

Nodosis Legem Viuculis implicari 

Et in Ferro splendescere 

maluit. 

Et dummodo prodesset 

Conspici non gravatus est. 

Honores itaque nunquam solicitus petiit, 

Ultro ad se delates saepissime detrectavit. 

Utrumque Tribunal, 

Banci Regis et Communiura Placitorum 

Judex, adornavit. 

Magni Sigilli Custodiara 

Non du])itavit recusare, 

Omni scilicet Titulo superior. 

Quam strenuus Ecclesiae Defensor fuerit, 

Testis si septem Apostolici Pra?sules 

Quos ob Christi Fidem fortiter vindicatam 

Ad ipsius Tribunal accitos 

Intrepidus absolvit. 

Hinc a Justiciaria Cathedra honorifice dejectus 

Non multo jwst, mutatis Regni Rebus, 



31G NOTES. 

Eandem iterum implevit. 
Tandem Laboribus quos tuHt pluriraos, 

Dum Patriie consuleret, 

Afflicto cuique et oppresso subveniret, 

Teneretque hegum et Monarchiae Dignitatem. 

Fractus decessit, 

Anno D. 1696, set. 63. 

Sir John Powell's dignified conduct on the trial of the 
seven Bishops is well known. Its merit is enhanced, if the 
tradition of his family, and of this Epitaph, be correct, that 
he was offered the great seal, if he would pursue a different 
course. 

NOTE (L). 

"on the new forcers of conscience under 
the long parliament. 

*' Because ye have thrown off your prelate Lord, 
And with stiff vows renounc'd his liturg}', 
To seize the widow'd whore Plurality 
From them whose sin ye envied, not abhorr'd, 
Dare ye for this adjure the civil sword, 
To force our consciences whom Christ set free, 
And ride us with a Classic hierarchy, 
Taught you by mere A. S. and Rutherford ? 
Men whose life, learning, faith, and pure intent. 
Would have been held in high esteem by Paul, 
Must noAv be nam'd and branded heretics 
By shallow Edwards and Scotch What-d'ye-call. 
But we do hope to find out all your tricks. 
Your plots and packings, worse than those of Trent ; 

That so the Parliament 
IMay, with their wholesome and preventive shears, 
Clip your phylacteries, though baulk your ears, 

And succour our just fears, 
When they shall read this plainly in your charge. 
New Prebyster is but old Priest writ large." 

I can hardly think that Goodwin and Peters, the prin- 
cipal individuals who shared with Taylor the indignation of 
Rutherford and the Presbyterians, were men whom Milton, 
so ordinarily sparing of his praise, could have extolled as 
those whom St. Paul would have ** held in high esteem. '* 
But Taylor was, beyond all comparison, the most illustrious 
champion of those tolerating doctrines for which Milton 
himself so nobly contended, and I cannot help supposing 



II 



XOTF.S. 317 

that his name was in tlie poet's mind, when he was thus 
assaihnor dieir common adversaries. 

Rutherford's work is perhaps the most elaborate defence 
of persecution -which has ever appeared in a Protestant 
country. He justifies it from the law of nature, the Mosaic 
law, the cuialogy of the Christian religion, the practice of the 
patriarchs and godly princes of old time ; the prophecies 
which foretel that the kings which have sometimes served 
the Babylonian harlot shall, on their repentance, burn her 
with fire, and eat her flesh ; and the commandment of St. 
John, that a true believer is not to say God speed to a 
false teacher. They who condemn the burning of Serve- 
tus would have condemned, he tells us, on the same prin- 
ciples, the slaughter of the priests of Baal ; and, tliough 
he seems, in one place, to have some compunctious doubts 
as to the propriety of fire as an instrument of conversion, 
and, on the whole, to give the preference to hanging, yet 
he elsewhere urges that, as stoning was the punishment 
of idolatry under the Mosaic law, and as the despisers of 
the gospel are, unquestionably, worthy of a much sorer 
punishment, — so it may be thought that burning hath 
something in it marvellously suited to the occasion and to 
the necessities of Christendom. To invade a foreign na- 
tion of idolaters with a view to apply such instruments and 
means of orace, he, indeed, confesses to be of doubtful 
morality ; but it may be, he says, a most interesting and 
curious question, whether, such a conquest having been 
effected on other grounds, it is not the duty of the believ- 
ing conqueror to force away the children of his new sub- 
jects, to the end that they may be brought up in the true 
religion ? Such were the sentiments, and so far as they 
had the power, the practice of Rutherford himself; of 
Mather, who published, about the same time, a pamphlet 
entitled " The Tenet of Persecution washed White in the 
Blood of the Lamb ;" and of many others, who, when 
their own hour of trial and suffering came, were ready 
enough to accuse their adversaries of unchristian and 
inhuman severity. The arguments of Rutherford are not 
likely in the present day to make many converts to his 
opinion. But, if there are any who, from the confidence 



318 NOTES. 

with which he urges the example of the ancient Jewish 
kings and prophets, are led to form opinions unfavourable 
to a rehgion with which our own is so closely connected, 
they may do well to read the Commentaries of Michaelis 
on the Laws of Moses, book v. chap. 2. ; in which the 
nature of the practices forbidden by the Jewish legislator, 
and the manner in which his prohibitions differ from perse- 
cution in its true and odious sense, are clearly and power- 
fully stated. I will only add, that where murder or lust are 
parts of any religious system, the actions, being in them- 
selves offences against the peace of society, are clearly 
punishable, without examining further into the mistaken 
notions from which they spring : and such was the case 
with the superstitions of Canaan. 

NOTE (M). 

The pictures of these two ladies are still at Golden 
Grove, and in good preservation. That of the first displays 
a countenance marked with all the goodness and benignity 
which might be expected from the character which Taylor 
gives her ; the second has a much more lofty and dignified air, 
such as might become the heroine in Comus. The first lady 
Carbery left three sons and six daughters. Her eldest son, 
Francis lord Vaughan, married Rachel, daughter of Thomas 
Wriothesley, earl of Southampton, who survived her hus- 
band, and afterwards became conspicuous in English history 
as the heroic wife and widow of William lord Russel. A 
copy of Taylor's Essay on Repentance, presented to her by 
the author, is now in the possession of the Rev. Dr. Swire, of 
Melsonby, near Richmond, Yorkshire. 

From Mr. Bonney's MS. Notes, and information sup- 
plied by archdeacon Benyon. 

NOTE (M*). 

*' The calamities which lately arrived you, came to me so 
late, and with so much incertitude during my long absence 
from these parts, that till my returne, and earnest inqui- 
sition, I could not be cured of my very greate impatience to 
be satisfied concerning your condition. But so it pleased 



NOTES. 319 

God, that when I had prepared to receive that sad newes, 
and deplore your restraint, I was assured of your release, 
and delivered of much sorrow. It were imprudent, and a 
character of much ignorance, to inquire into the cause of 
any good man's suffering in these sad tymes ; yet, if I have 
learned it out, 'twas not of my curiosity ; but the discourse 
of some with whom I have had some habitudes since my 
coming home. / had read the preface long since to your 
* Golden Grove,' remember and infinitely justifie all that you 
have there asserted. 'Tis true vallor to dare to be undon, and 
the consequent of truth hath ever been in danger of his teeth, 
and it is a blessing if men escape so in these dayes, when not 
the safties onely, but the soiiles of men are betrayed: whilst 
such as you, and such excellent assistances as they afford 
us, are rendered criminal and suffer. But you. Sir, who 
have furnished the world with so rare precepts against the 
efforts of all secular disasters whatsoever, could never be 
destitute of those consolations which you have so charitably 
and so piously prescribed unto others : yea, rather, this has 
turned to our im'ense advantage, nor lesse to your glory, 
whilst men behold you living your owne institutions, and 
preaching to us as effectualy in your chaines as in the chaire, 
in the prison as in the pulpit : for me thinkes. Sir, I heare 
you pronounce it, as indeede you act it — 

" Aude aliquid brevibus g^'aris et carcere dignura 
" Si vis esse aliquis — — 

" that your example might shame such as betray any truth 
for feare of men, whose mission and com'ission is from God. 
You, Sir, know in the general, and I must justifie in parti- 
cular, with infinite cognition, the benefit I have received 
from the truths you have delivered. I have perused that 
excellent ' Unum Necessarium' of yours to my very greate 
satisfaction and direction : and do not doubt but it shall, in 
tyme, gaine upon all those exceptions, which I know you 
are not ignorant, appeare against it. 'Tis a great dcale of 
courage, and a great deale of perill, but to attempt the 
assault of an error so inveterate. 

" A/ 0£ y.itvai \_y.i^ui'\ %g/Vs/c rh\/ drrs^arov bbov. False opinion 
knows no bottome, and reason and j^rescription meet in so 
[Qufere no?] fewe instances; but certainly you greately 



320 XOTES. 

vindicate the divine goodnesse, which the ignorance of men, 
and popular mistakes, have so long charged with injustice. 
But, Sir, you must expect with patience the event, and the 
fruites you contend for : as it shall be my dayly devotions 
for your successe, who remaine. 

Rev''. Sir, &c. 

'' Say's Court, 9 Feb. 1G54." " JOHN EVELYN." 

Evelyn's Memoirs^ vol. ii. p. 97. 

On this letter the editor of the interesting work whence 
it is extracted observes, " The cause of his [Jeremy Taylor's] 
imprisonment does not appear." Surely the passage here 
marked in italics intimates it with sufficient clearness. In 
the preface to his " Golden Grove," there are, in fact, many 
passages at which the government were likely to take um- 
brage. "" The people," says the author, " are fallen under 
the harrows and saws of impertinent and ignorant preachers, 
who think all religion is a sermon, and all sermons ought to 
be libels against truth and old governors, and expound 
chapters that the meaning may never be understood, and 
pray that they may be thought able to talk, but not to hold 
their peace, they casting not to obtain any thing but wealth 

and victory, power, and plunder." "They that hate 

bishops have destroyed monarchy, and they that would erect 
an ecclesiastical monarchy must consequently subject the 
temporal to it ; and both one and the other would be supreme 
in consciences, and they that govern there with an opinion 
that in all things they ought to be attended to, will let their 
prince govern others, so long as he will be ruled by them." 

" If any man shall not decline to try his title by the word 
of God, it is certain there is not in the world a better guard 
for it than the true protestant religion, as it is taught in our 
church. But let all things be as it pleases God, &c. 8cc." 

I am aware that in all these expressions Taylor might 
plead that he meant no more than to recommend his sect 
to the toleration or protection of the ruling powers. But 
even a less jealous party than the Presbyterians, and a less 
arbitrary governor than Cromwell, might, in such times, find 
it necessary to notice them. 

The above letter, it will be observed, is dated in 1654. 
It is certain, however, either that Evelyn has written 4 for 



XOTES. 321 

5 by mistake, or that he lias, in this instance, followed a 
practice (at that time not uncommon in Enoland, but of 
which his other letters give us no example,) of reckonino 
the beginning of each year from Lady Day, so that the 
months of January, February, and March, down to the 25th, 
were ascribed to the preceding year. This space was gene- 
rally dated 165i, &c. ; but sometimes also with the date of 
the preceding year only. And it is certain that the letter 
in question cannot have been written before 1655, from his 
assertion that he had " long since read the preface to the 
* Golden Grove,' and had now seen the * Unum Necessa- 
rium.'" But, on consulting the Books of Stationers' Hall, I 
find that of these works the * Golden Grove' was only 
entered there on January 26, 165|, and the * Unum Necessa- 
rium ' not till the 3d of May following. It is true, indeed, 
and we must bear it in mind, in order to account for the fact 
of his having seen these works at all, that the entrance of 
a work at Stationers' Hall, is not necessarily or usually 
immediate on its first publication. But many months are 
seldom allowed to elapse before this precaution is taken ; and 
w^e may, therefore, fix the appearance of the * Golden Grove ' 
at the beginning of January, and the ' Unum Necessarium ' 
somewhat later in the same month. For the former, indeed, 
it would be desirable if an earlier date could .be fixed, both 
in order to render Evelyn's long acquaintance with it a less 
improper mode of speaking, and to give time for Taylor's 
consequent imprisonment. And I am, therefore, inclined to 
apprehend that, although the first edition of the ' Golden 
Grove ' is dated in 1655, it was nevertheless, published in 
Michaelmas term, 1654. I am informed by a learned friend, 
whose familiarity with the curiosities of English literature 
has been rarely surpassed or equalled, that " the custom of 
antedating new books is still practised pretty extensively, and 
it was equally common in Taylor's day. Among Anthony 
a-Wood's books are (I should think) more than an hundred, 
on which the honest antiquary hath written, 'This booke 
came out (on such a day,) though it be dated (at such a time.') 
And it is not impossible that the * Golden Grove ' might have 
been in a similar predicament. If this be allowed, and we 
conclude, as I think we well may, that Evelyn's letter was 
not written till 1655, there will remain a period of between 



322 NOTES. 

four and six months, which would be quite sufficient to allow 
Evelyn's long familiarity with the preface/' 

NOTE (N.) 

'* April 15, 1654. I went to London to hear the famous 
Dr. Jeremy Taylor, (since bishop of Down and Connor,) at 
St. Greg, on 6 Matt. 48. concerning evangelical perfection." 

" March 18, 1655. Went to London on purpose to heare 
that excellent preacher. Dr. Jeremy Taylor, on 14 Matth. 17 ; 
shewing what were the conditions of obtaining eternal life ; 
also concerning abatements for unavoidable infirmities, how 
cast on the accompt of the crosse. On the 31st I made a 
visit to Dr. Jer. Taylor, to confer with him about some 
spirituall matters, using him thenceforward as my ghostly 
father. I beseech God Almighty to make me ever mindful 
of and thankful for his heavenly assistances." — Evelyn's 
Memoirs, vol. i. pp. 273—293. 

NOTE (O.) 

** Rev^. Sir, 
" It was another extraordinary charity which you did me 
when you lately relieved my apprehensions of your danger 
by that which I just now received : and, though the general 
persecution reinforce ; yet it is your particular which most 
concernes me in this sad catalysis and declension of piety to 
which we are now reduced. But, Sir, what is now to be 
don that the starrs of our bright hemisphere are every where 
pulling from their orbs ? I remember where you have sayd 
it was the harbinger of the greate day, and a very sober and 
learned person, my worthy friend, the greate Oughtred, did 
the other day seriously persuade me * parare in occursum,' 
and will needs have the following yeares productive of 
wonderfull and universal changes. What to say of that I 
know not : but certaine it is we are brought to a sad condition. 
I speake concerning secular yet religious persons ; whose 
glory it will only be to lie buried in your mines, a monument 
too illustrious for such as I am. For my part, I have learned 
from your excellent assistances to humble myselfe, and to 
adore the inscrutable pathes of the Most High : God and his 
truth are still the same, though the foundations of the world 
be shaken. Julianus Redivivus can shut the schooles indeede. 



NOTES. 323 

and the temples ; but lie cannot hinder our private inter- 
courses and devotions, wliere the l)reast is tlie chappell and 
our heart is the altar. Obedience founded in the under- 
standing will be the onely cure and retraite. God will 
accept what remaines, and supply what is necessary. He is 
not obliged to externals, the purest ages passed under the 
cruelest persecutions : it is sometymes necessary ; and this, 
and the fulfilling of prophecy, are all instruments of greate 
advantage (even whilst they presse, and are incumbent) to 
those who can make a sanctified use of them. But as the 
thoughts of many hearts will be discovered, and multitudes 
scandaliz'd ; so are there divers well-disposed persons who 
will not know how to guide themselves, unlesse some such 
good men as you discover the secret, and instruct them 
how they may secure their greatest interest, and steere their 
course in this darke and uncomfortable weather. Some 
such discourse would be highly seasonable now that the 
daily sacrifice is ceasing, and that all the exercise of your 
functions is made criminal, that the light of Israel is 
quenched. Where shall we now receive the viaticum with 
safety ? How shall we be baptiz'd ? For to this passe it is 
come. Sir. The comfort is, the captivity had no temple, no 
altar, no king. But did they not observe the passover, nor 
circumcise ? Had they no priests and prophets amongst 
them ? Many are weake in the faith, and know not how to 
answer, nor whither to fly : and if upon the apotheosis of 
that excellent person, under a malicious representation of 
his martyrdom, engraven in copper, and sent me by a friend 
from Bruxelles, the Jesuite could so bitterly sarcasme upon 
the embleme : 

' Projicis inventum caput, Anglia [Angla ?] Ecclesia ! ea'sum 
Si caput est, sahnim corpus an esse potest ? ' — 

how thinke you will they now insult, ravage, and breake 
in upon the flock ; for the shepheards are smitten, and the 
sheepe must of necessity be scattered, unlesse the greate 
Shepheard of soules oppose, or some of his delegates reduce 
and direct us. Deare Sir, we are now preparing to take our 
last farewell (as they threaten) of God's service in this citty, 
or any where else in publique. I must confesse it is a sad 
consideration ; but it is what God sees best, and to what we 



324 KOTES. 

must submitt. The comfort is, ' Dens piovidebit.' Sir, 1 
have not yet been so happy as to see those papers wliich 
Mr. Royston tells me are printing:, but I greately rejoyce 
that you have so happily fortified that batterie, and 1 doubt 
not but you will maintaine the siege : for you must not 
be discouraged for the passions of a few. Reason is reason 
to me w^herever I find it, much more where it conduces to a 
desig:ne so salutary and necessary. At least, I w^onder that 
those who are not convinced by y*^ arguments, can possibly 
resist y' charity, and y' modesty : but as you have greatly 
subdued my education in that particular, and controversy; 
so am I confident tyme will render you many more pro- 
selytes. And if all doc not come so freely in with their 
suffrages at first, you must, with y' accustomed patience, 
attend the event. 

" S^ I beseech God to conduct all y' labours, those of 
religion to others, and of love and affection to me, who 
remayne, " Sir, your, &c. 

'' Lond. 18 Mar. [qu. Mai ?] 1655." . 

Evelyn's Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 98. 

The above letter, as it now stands, is dated Mar. 18, 1655. 
But, on that day, as appeared by the preceding extract from 
his diary, Evelyn had attended Taylor's preaching. The 
devout laity of the episcopal church were, therefore, not at 
that time deprived of the means of grace in the manner 
w^iich this letter deplores. Nor does it seem likely that a 
letter of such a length, and written in such a manner, would 
be addressed to a person with whom the writer expected 
shortly to communicate personally, or with whom he had a 
few hours before communicated. Again, when he speaks of 
having received assurances of Taylor's safety, — when he 
talks of being buried in his ruins, &c. he seems to imply 
that Taylor was then actually in prison, or in some urgent 
and great danger. And, further, on the 31st of March, 
Taylor and Evelyn had another interview. Then, therefore, 
if such a letter had passed between them a few days before, 
was the time for Taylor to give an answer to the wish 
expressed m it. We find, however, that this letter remained 
unanswered till January in the following year, since this is 
clearly the one referred to in Taylor's letter of this last date. 



xoTEs. 325 

inasiniich as he there speaks of " the vile distich on tlic 
departed saint." I am, therefore, of opinion that here aii^ain, 
as well as in the former letter, the date has been incorrectly 
given, and that we should read not March but May, by 
which time, it is extremely probable that Taylor's imprison- 
ment at Chepstow may have commenced. 

It may be observed, that the passage in Taylor's works, 
to which Evelyn refers, in which the calamities of the time 
were said to be " harbingers of the great day," is, probably, 
to be met with in his " Episcopacy Asserted," (vol. vii. p. 5.) 
where he suggests, " that the abolition of episcopacy is the 
forerunner and preparatory to the great apostacy." The 
Oughtred, who expressed the same opinion, was William 
Oughtred, author of the " Clavis Mathematica," and other 
works, and the most illustrious geometrician of his time. 
The church of England was, undoubtedly, in 1655, exposed 
to fresh and bitter persecutions, of which an interesting- 
account will be found in the following extract from Parr's 
Life of Usher : — 

" Cromwell being now [in 1655] highly enraged against 
the loyal party, for their indefatigable though unsuccessful 
endeavours for his Majesty's restoration to his throne, after 
he had show^ed himself very implacable and severe to the 
cavalier gentry, as they then called them, began now to dis- 
charge part of his rage upon the orthodox clergy, forbidding 
them, under great penalties, to teach schools, or to perform 
any part of their ministerial functions : whereupon some of 
the most considerable episcopal clergy, in and about London, 
desired my lord primate that he would use his interest with 
Cromwell, (since they heard he pretended a great respect lor 
him,) that, as he granted liberty of conscience to almost all 
sorts of religions, so the episcopal divines might have the 
same freedom of serving God in their ])rivate congregations, 
since they were not permitted the jjublic churches, according 
to the liturgy of the church of England ; and that neither the 
ministers, nor those that frequented that service, might be 
any more hindered or disturbed by his soldiers. So, ac- 
cording to their desires, he went and used his utmost endea- 
vours with Cromwell for the taking oil" this restraint, which 
was at last promised, (although with some difficulty,) that 
thev should not be molested, provided they meddletl not 



326 NOTES. 

with any matters relating to his government. But, when 
the lord primate went to him a second time, to get this 
promise ratified and put into writing, he found him under 
his chyrurgeon's hand, who was dressing a great boyl which 
he had on his breast ; so Cromwell prayed the lord primate 
to sit down a little, and that when he was dressed he would 
speak with him. Whilst this was a doing, Cromwell said to 
my lord primate, if this core (pointing to the boyl) were 
once out, 1 should quickly be well; to whom the good 
bishop replied, ' I doubt the core lies deeper, there is a core 
at the heart that must be taken out, or else it will not be 
well.' * Ah !' replyed he, seeming unconcerned [Quaere 
concerned?] ' so there is indeed !' and sighed. But when 
the lord primate began to speak to him concerning the 
business he came about, he answered him to this effect, 
that he had since better considered it, having advised with 
his council about it, and that they thought it not safe for 
him to grant liberty of conscience to those sort of men, who 
are restless and implacable enemies to him and his govern- 
ment; and so he took his leave of him, though with good 
words and outward civility. The lord primate, seeing it was 
in vain to urge it any farther, said little more to him, but 
returned to his lodging, very much troubled and concerned 
that his endeavours had met with no better success. When 
he was in his chamber, he said to some of his relations and 
myself that came to see him, * This false man hath broken 
his word with me, and refuses to perform what he promised. 
Well, he will have little cause to glory in his wickedness, — 
he will not continue long. The king will return. Though 
I shall not live to see it, you may. The government, both 
in church and state, is in confusion. The Papists are ad- 
vancing their projects, and making such advantages as will 
hardly be prevented.'" — Parr's Life of Usher, p. 75. 

NOTE (P.) 

" 12 April, 1656. Mr. Berkeley and Mr. Robert Boyle, 
(that excellent person and great virtuoso,) Dr. Taylor and 
Dr. Wilkins, dined with me at Saye's Court, when 1 pre- 
sented Dr. Wilkins with my rare burning-glasse. In the 
afternoonc we all went to Colonel Blount's, to sec his new- 
invented plows." 



NOTES. 327 

** 6th May. I brought Mons'. Ic Franc, a young French 
Sorbonist, a proselyte, to converse with Dr. Taylor. They 
fell to dispute on original sin, in Latine, upon a book newly 
published by the Doctor, who was much satisfied with the 
young man." 

** 7th. I visited Dr. Taylor, and prevailed on him to propose 
Mons' . le Franc to the bishop, that he might have orders ; 
I having sometime before, brought him to a full consent to 
the church of England, her doctrine and discipline, of which 
he had till of late made some difficulty: so he was this day 
ordained both deacon and priest, by the bishop of Meath. 
I paid the fees to his lordship, who was very poore and in 
greate want. To that necessity were our ciergy reduced !" 
— Evelyn's Memoirs, vol. i. pp. 298, 299. 

What bishop it was whom Evelyn describes as the bishop 
of Meath, I cannot conjecture. Certain it is that there was 
no bishop of that see at this time, the last. Dr. Antliony 
Martin, having died in great poverty at Dublin, in the year 
1650, and his see not being filled up till after the restoration. 
Ware, Wist, Ireland, vol. i. p. 158. Ed. Harris. 

NOTE (Q). 

As the little tract in question is extremely scarce, 1 have 
subjoined some extracts, which will give the reader an 
idea of the manner in which the dialogue is carried on 
between the lady who inveighs against, and h^r who justifies 
face-painting. In the frontispiece to the second edition, 
these two disputants are represented, — the one prim, stern, 
and plainly apparelled ; the other, in the style of Lely^s 
portraits, patched, her hair in ringlets, with naked shoulders, 
a fan in her hand, and, so far as the artist was able, beauti- 
ful. The grim lady begins the conversation. 

" Madam, — I am not more pleased to see you look so well, 
beyond what you were wont, than I am jealous (to be free 
with you) lest a person so esteemed as you are for modesty 
and piety, should use some colour or tincture to advance your 
complexion ; which, indeed, I take to be no better than tliat 
odious and infamous way of painting, every where in iUl 
ages so much and so justly spoken against, both by God 
and good men ; being a most ungodly practice, though 
generally (as thcv say) nov/ used in England (nior or less) 



328 NOTES. 

by persons of quality, who, not content with nature's stock 
of beauty, do (not by a fine, but filthy art) add something 
to the advantage, as they think, of their complexions; but I 
fear to the deforming of their souls, and defiling of their 
consciences. 

" Truly, madam, I absolutely think (without any mincing 
or distinction) all colour or complexion added to our skins 
and faces, beyond what is purely natural, to be a sin, as 
being flatly against the word of God, which I suppose you 
grant to be the indispensable and unchangeable rule of all 
moral holiness, from which we may not warp in the least 
degree upon any pretensions to advance our honours, estates, 
healths, or beauties. First, then, if your ladyship look into 
2 Kings, ix. 30, you shall see wicked Jezebel, though a 
queen, yet not tolerated or excused, but foully branded and 
heavily punished for painting her eyes or face ; for which 
she was afterwards, by a most deformed destiny, justly 
devoured of dogs; as the most reverend lord primate of 
Armagh observes, in his larger catechism upon the seventh 
commandment. Which fearful stroke of divine venoeancc, 
and censure of so learned and pious a person, (making that 
her painting a most meritorious and principal cause of her 
so sad destiny,) are sufficient, I think, to scare the most 
adventurous woman from any such sinful and accursed 
practice." 

This is wretched work — but these are some of the arou- 
ments of the beaten party. Let us now examine the other 
side. What follows is as favourable a specimen as I can 
find ; and is, certainly, not without wit, but I cannot per- 
suade myself that it resembles the style of Jeremy Taylor. 

" When was your ladyship scandalized with any grave 
and sober matron, because she laid out the combings or 
cuttings of her own or others more youthful hair, when her 
own (now become withered and autumnal) seemed less 
becoming her ? How many both men's and women's warmer 
heats in religion do now admit not only borders of foreign 
hair, but full and fair peruques on their heads, without 
sindging one hair by their disputative and scrupulous zeal, 
which in these things of fashion, is now grown much out of 
fashion? Your ladyship's charity doth not reprove, but 
pity, those poor Vulcanists, who balance the inequality of 



M' I 



NOTES. 320 

their heels or budger-legs, by the art and help of the shoe- 
maker ; nor arc those sliort-leoged hidies thouoht less godly 
who fly to chopines, and by enlarging the phylacteries ot 
their coats, conceal at once, both their great detects in 
native brevity, and the enormous additions of their artifical 
heights, which make many small women walk with as much 
caution and danger almost, as the Turk danceth on the 
ropes. Who ever is so impertinent a bigot, as to tind fault 
when the hills and dales of crooked and unequal bodies 
are made to meet without a miracle, by some iron bodice, or 
some benign bolsterings ? Who fears to set straight, or 
hide the unhandsome warpings of bow-legs, and baker-feet ? 
What is there as to any defect in nature, whereof ingenuous 
art as a diligent handmaid waiting on its mistress, doth not 
study some supply or other, so far as to graff in silver plates 
into cracked sculls, to furnish cropt faces with artificial 
noses, to fill up the broken ranks and routed files of the teeth 
with ivory adjutants or lieutenants. Yet against all or any 
of these and the like reparative inventions, by which art and 
ingenuity studies to help and repair the defects or defor- 
mities, which God, in nature, or providence, is pleased to 
inflict upon our bodies, no pen is sharpened, no pulpit is 
battered, no writ of rebellion, or charge of forgery and 
false coinage, is brought against any in the court of con- 
science ; no poor creature (who thankfully embraceth, 
modestly useth, and with more cheerfulness serveth God, 
by means of some such lielp, which either takes away its 
reproach, or easeth its pain,) is scared with dreadful scruples, 
or so terrified with the threatenings of sin, hell, and damna- 
tion, as to cast away (much against their wills) that innocent 
succour, which God in nature and art had given them ; 
from which they part with as much regret as the poor man 
did from his darling; lamb, which the rich man's insolence, 
not his indigence, not his want, but wantonness, forced from 
him. Rather we are so civilly pious in these cases, as to 
applaud others, no less than please ourselves in those happy 
delusions, whereby we conceal, or any way compensate 
these our deformities or defects in any kind, whicli seem 
to us less convenient, or to others less comely, in this our 
mortal and visible pilgriumge. Only if the face (which is 
the metropolis of humane niajesty, and as it were tlic 



330 NOTES. 

cathedral of beauty, or comliness, in the httle world or polity 
of our bodies,) if this have sustained any injuries (as it is 
most exposed to them) of time, or any accident ; if it stand 
in need of any thing that our charity and ingenuity in art 
can help it to, though the thing be never so cheap, easie and 
harmless, either to enliven the pallid deadness of it, and to 
redeem it from mortmain, or to pair and match the inequal 
cheeks to each other, w^hen one is as Rachel, the other as 
Leah, or to cover any pimples and heats, or to remove 
any obstructions, or to mitigate and quench excessive 
flushings, hereby to set off the face to such decency and 
equahty as may innocently please ourselves and others, 
without any thought to displease God, (who looks not to 
the outward appearance, but to the heart,) what censures 
and whispers, yea, what outcries and clamours, what light- 
nings and thunders, what anathemas, excommunications, and 
condemnations, fill the thoughts, the pens, the tongues, the 
pulpits of many angry (yet it may be well meaning) Chris- 
tians, both preachers and others, who are commonly more 
quick-sighted and offended with the least mote they fancie of 
adding to a lady's complexion, than with many camels of their 
own customary opinions and practices ? Good men, though 
in other things not only of the fineness and neatness, but even 
of some falsity and pretension, they are so good-natured 
and indulgent as to allow their lame or their crooked wives 
and daughters, whatever ingenuous concealments and repara- 
tions, art and their purses can afford them ; yet as to the 
point of face-mending, they condemn them, like Paul's 
church, to sink under everlasting mines. The most of your 
plainer breed, and as it were home-spun professours and 
preachers, who never went far beyond their own houses, can 
with less equal eyes behold any woman, of never so great 
quality, if they see or suspect her to be adorned any whit 
beyond the vulgar mode, or decked with feathers more gay 
and goodly than those birds use, which are of their own 
countrey nest. In which "cases of feminine dressing and 
adorning, no casuist is sufficient to enumerate, or resolve the 
many intricate niceties and endless scruples of conscience, 
which some men's and women's more plebeian zelotry makes, 
as about ladies checks and faces, if they appear one dram or 
degree more quick and rosie than they were wonted ; sq 



NOTES. , 331 

about the length and f\ishion of their clothes and hair. 
One while they are so perplexed about the curlin<^ of ladies' 
hair, that they can as hardly dis-intangle themselves as a bee 
entangled in honey; otherwise they are most scrupulous 
mathematicians to measure the arms, wrists, necks and 
trains of ladies, how far they may safely venture to let their 
garments draw after them on the ground, or their naked 
skins be seen. Here, however, some men can bear the 
sight of the fairest faces, without so much as winking, (where 
the greatest face of beauty is displayed,) yet they pretend 
that no strength of humane virtue can endure the least 
assaults, or peepings of naked necks, if they make any 
discovery or breaking forth below the ears. Not that any 
modest mind pleads for wanton prostituting of naked 
breasts, where the civiller customs of any countrey forbid 
it; but some men's rigour and fierceness is such, that if 
they espy any thing in the dress, clothes, or garb of women, 
beyond what they approve, or have been wonted to, pre- 
sently the taylors, the tire-women, the gorget-makers, the 
seamstresses, the chamber-maids, the dressers, and all that 
wretched crew of obsequious attendants, are condemned as 
anti-christian, and only fit to wait upon the whore of 
Babylon. Nor do the poor ladies (though otherwise young 
and innocent, though as vertuous as handsome, or if possibly 
elder, every way exemplary for modesty, gravity, and chas- 
tity, yet they do not) without great gifts and presents (as 
by so many fines and heriots,) redeem themselves from some 
men's severe censures ; and if they do take any freedom 
to dress and set forth themselves after the best mode and 
fashion, it costs them as much as the Roman captain's 
freedom did him ; when indeed they arc (as St. Paul 
pleaded) free-born, not only in nature, but as to grace and 
the new birth, which is no enemy to what fashion's modesty 
may bear, and which decency, civility, and custom, do require." 

The " Turk" mentioned in the above quotation, was, no 
doubt, a rope-dancer of that nation, mentioned by Evelyn as 
'' the famous funamble Turk," who appears to have been 
allowed to exhibit his talents during the commonwealth, not- 
withstanding the prohibition of most public amusements. 

NOTE (U). 

" 25 March, 1667. Dr. Taylor shewed nic his MSS. of 



332 NOTES. 

Cases of Conscience, or Duct or DnbiianiiiDu, now fitted Ibi 
the pressc. 

" 7th June. My fourth sonn was born, christened 
George, after my grandfather ; Dr. Jer. Taylor officiating 
in the drawing-room. 

"July 16. On Dr. Jer. Taylor's recommendation, I went 
to Eltham, to help one Moody, a young man, to that living, 
by my interest with the patron." Vol. i. pp. 304, 305, 306. 

NOTE (T). 

*' He [Heneage Finch, afterwards earl of Nottingham,] 
had a brother, named Francis Finch ; bred up also under 
E. Silvester, who was afterwards a Gent. Comm. of Balliol 
Coll., but leaving it without a degree, went to London, 
studied the law, and became a barrister of one of the tem- 
ples ; but, before he had long practised, he died, yet lives 
still in those several pieces of ingenuity he left behind him, 
wherein he falls not short of the best of poets. And be- 
cause Poeta est Jinitimus Oratori, he might have proved 
excellent in that too, having so incomparable a precedent as 
his brother. Sir Henegige Finch. Among the several spe- 
cimens of his poetry which I have seen, is a copy of verses 
before Will. Cartwright's poems, an. 1651, as there is of his 
brother John : another before a book entitled Aires and 
Dialogues for one, two, and three voices, Lond. 1653, fol. pub- 
lished by Hen. Lawes. In the body of which book he hath 
a poem, entitled Calia singing, to which the said Lawes 
composed an air of two parts to be sung, &.c." — Fasti, vol. ii. 
p. 59. 

Mr. Finch's Discourse on Friendship, is not mentioned 
by A. Wood, any more than that on Honour, both which, 
however, are extolled by Orinda, in her address (Poems, p. 19) 
" to the noble Paltemon on his incomparable Discourse of 
Friendship :" and her description of " Mr. Francis Finch, 
the excellent Palc3emon," (ib. pp. 91, 93.) 

" ' Twas he that rescued gasping Friejidship, when 

The bell tolPd for her funeral with men ; 
' Twas he that made friends more tlian lovers Imrii, 

And then made love to sacred friendship turn ; 
' Twas he turn'd Honour inward, set her free 

From titles and from popularity. 

Now fix'd to virtue, she begs praise of none, j 

But witncbb'd and rewarded both at home.." A. 



NOTES. 333 

NOTE (U). 

''TO THE LIEUTENANT OF THE TOWER.* 

"Sir, 
" I should begin with the greater apologie for this 
addresse, did not the consideration of the nature of y' 
greate employment and my feares to importune them carry 
with them an excuse which, I have hope to beUeve, you will 
easily admit. But as it is an errour to be troublesome to 
great persons upon trifling affaires, so were it no less a crime 
to be silent in an occasion, wherein I may do an act of 
charity, and reconcile a person to yoiu' good opinion, who 
has deserved so well, and I thinke is so innocent. Sir, I 
speake in behalfe of Dr. Taylor, of whom I understand you 
have conceived some displeasure for the mistake of his 
printer, and the readiest way that I can thinke of to do him 
honour and bring him into esteeme with you, is to beg of 
you that you will please to give him leave to waite upon you, 
that you may learn from his owne mouth, as well as the 
world has done from his writings, how averse he is from any 
thing that he may be charged withall to his prejudice, and 
how greate an adversary he has ever bin, in particular, to 
the Popish religion, against which he has employed his pen 
so signally, and with such successe. And, when, by this 
favour you shall have don justice to all interests, I am not 
without faire hopes, that I shall have mutually obliged you 
both, by doing my endeavour to serve my worthy and pious 
friend, and by bringing so innocent and deserving a person 
into your protection ; who am, 

"Sir, &c." 

" From Greenwich, 14 Jan. 1756-7." 

" Feb. 25, 1658. Came Dr. Jeremy Taylor and my bro- 
thers, with other friends, to visite and condole witli us." 

" March 7. To London to hear Dr. Taylor in a private 
house, on xiii. Luke, 23, 24. After the sermon followed the 
blessed communion, of which I participated. In the after- 
noon. Dr. Gunning, at Excester house, expounding part of 
the creede." — Evelyn's Memoirsy vol. i. ]), 312. 

* " This was written for another gentleman, an ac-qnaintance with the 
villain who was now lient. of the Tower; — Baxter, by name, for I never liad 
the least knowledge of him." — Evelyn's Memoirs^ v(»l. i. y. 1 12. 



334 NOTES. 

It is singular that, in the minutes of the privy council, 
which have been examined for me l)y the kindness of my 
valued friend, H. Hobhouse, Esquire; no traces appear of 
any order for Taylor's imprisonment, or his appearance 
before them, either on this occasion, or when he was con- 
fined in the castle at Chepstow. For this omission it is not 
easy to account. How a supposed state criminal could be 
put in confinement without such an order appearing is not 
plain, unless we suppose that, in those arbitrary times, the 
committees and inferior agents of the government exercised 
the power of imprisonment. It is, indeed, noticeable that 
Evelyn's letter is addressed to the Lieutenant of the Tower 
himself, and that he speaks of Taylor as having incurred 
his displeasure, as if he had been the cause of his imprison- 
ment as well as the keeper of his prison. In the Tower, 
however, whose records have been also consulted, no war- 
rants or commitments are preserved of a date anterior to the 
Restoration. 

NOTE (V). 

Had Taylor forgotten the testimony of Hegesippus, con- 
cerning the grand-children of St. Jude, the last survivors of 
the house of David, and, after the flesh, the kinsmen of our 
Lord, who were examined and dismissed without injury by 
Domitian? See Rowth, Reliquiee Sacrse, vol. i. p. 196. I 
would rather believe that he had forgotten the story, than 
that he regarded as fabulous a narrative so probable in 
itself and so apparently authentic. 

NOTE (W). 

Taylor alludes to the following passage from the neg- 
lected work of Thomas Aquinas, which may serve, at least, 
as a specimen of those subtleties which once exercised the 
best wits in Christendom. The practice of Aquinas must be 
borne in mind ; that, namely, he states the arguments on 
both sides, and then moderates between them. 

QU^STIO I. ART. 4. 

" Utrum Angell differant in specie.'^ 
" Ad quartum sic proceditur. Videtur quod Angeli non 
differant in specie. Cum enim differentia sit nobilior genere, 
qusecunque conveniunt secundum id quod est nobilissimum 



xoTEs. 335 

in eis, conveniunt in ultima differentia constitutione, et ita 
sunt eaclem secundum speciem. Sed omnes Angeli conve- 
niunt in eo quod est nobilissimum in eis, — s. in inteliec- 
tualitate. Ergo omnes Angeli sunt unius speciei. Pra3terea 
magis et minus non diversificant speciem. Sed Angeli non 
videntur ditterre ab invicem nisi secundum ma^is et minus : 
prout scilicet inius aliis est simplicior et perspicacioris intel- 
lectus. Ergo Angeli non differunt specie. Proiterea anima 
et angelus ex opposite dividuntur : sed omnes aniniiie sunt 
unius speciei, ergo et Angeli. Praterea quanto aliquid est 
perfectius in natura, tanto magis debet multiplicari. Hoc 
autem non esset si in una specie esset unum tantum in- 
dividuum. Ergo multi Angeli sunt unius speciei. Sed 
contra est, quod in his quae sunt unius speciei, non est 
invenire prius et posterius, ut dicitur in 3 metaph. Sed 
in Angelis etiam unius ordinis sunt primi et medii et ultimi, 
ut dicit Dion. 10 C. angelicae hierar. Ergo Angeli non sunt 
unius speciei. Conclusio. — Cum omnes spirituales substantias 
ex materia et forma compositae non sint, ejusdem non sunt 
speciei. Respondeo dicendum, quod quidam dixerunt 
omnes substantias spirituales esse unius speciei etiam 
animas. Alii vero quod omnes Angeli sunt unius speciei 
sed non animae. Quidem vero quod omnes Angeli unius 
hierarchiae, aut etiam unius ordinis. Sed hoc est impossibile. 
Ea. n. quae conveniunt specie et differunt numero, conveniunt 
in forma, sed distinguuntur materialiter. Si ergo Angeli non 
sunt compositi ex materia et forma ut dictum est supra : 
sequitur quod impossibile sit esse duos angelos unius 
speciei, sicut etiam impossibile esset dicere quod essent 
plures albedines separate aut plures humanitates cum 
atbedines non sint plures, nisi secundum quod sunt in 
diversis substantiis. Si tamen Angeli haberent materiam, 
nee sic tamen possunt esse plures Angeli unius speciei. Sic 
enim oporteret quod principium distinctionis unius ab alio 
esset materia, non quidem secundum divisionem quantitatis, 
cum sint incorporei, sed secundum diversitatem potentiarum. 
Quae quidem et diversitas materiae causat diversitatem non 
solum speciei sed et generis. Ad primum ergo dicendum quod 
differentia est nobilior genere, sicut determinatum indeter- 
minate et proprium communi, non autem sicut alia et alifi 
natura. Alioquin oporteret quod omnia animalia irra- 



336 NOTES. 

tionalia essent unius specie! , vel quod esset in eis aliqua 
alia perfectior forma nuam anima sensibilis. Diflferunt ergo 
specie animalia irrationalia secundum diversos gradus deter- 
minates naturae sensitivoe. Et similiter omnos Angeli dif- 
ferunt specie secundum diversos gradus naturae intellectivae. 
" Ad secundum dicendum, quod magis et minus secundum 
quod causantur ex intentione et remissione unius formae, non 
diversificant specie. Sed secundum quod causantur ex 
formis diversorum graduum, sic diversificant speciem : 
sicut si dicamus, quod ignis est perfectior aere. Et hoc 
modo Angeli diversificantur secundum magis et minus. 
Ad tertium dicendum quod bonum speciei praeponderat bono 
individui. Unde multo melius est quod multiplicentur 
species in Angelis, quam quod multiplicentur individua in 
una specie. Ad quartum dicendum quod multiplicatio 
secundum numerum cum in infinitum protend i possit, non 
intenditur ab agenti, sed sola multiplicatio secundum spe- 
ciei ut supra dictum est. Unde perfectio naturae Angelicae 
requirit multiplicationem specierum, non autem multipli- 
cationem individuorum in una specie." — S. Thom. Aquin. 
Surnma Totius Theologicc, pars i. p. 97. 

NOTE (X.) 

These facts appear from a letter of Lord Conway's, 
dated June 15, 1658, of which the following is an extract. 
It is addressed to Major George Rawdon, who had married 
his sister, and who, from his residence and influence in 
Ireland, might materially contribute to the fulfilment of 
Lord Conway's wishes. It should seem that Major Rawdon 
had, in answer to a previous application, given a discourag- 
ing account of the state of the country, 

" Dear Brother, 
*' That which you writ me in your letter of the 2d of this 
month, concerning Dr. Taylor, was sufficient to have dis- 
couraged him and all his friends from any further thoughts of 
that country ; but I thank God, I went upon a principle not 
to be repented of, for I had no interest or passion in what I 
did for him, but rather some reluctancy. What I pursued 
was, to do an act of piety towards him, and an act of piety 
towards all such as are truly disposed to virtue in those parts. 



NOTES. 337 

for I am certain he is tlie choicest person in England apper- 
tainino- to the conscience, and, let others blemish him how 
they please, yet all I have written of him is true, lie is a 
man of excellent parts and an excellent life ; but in ret^ard 
that this is not powerful to purchase his quiet, I shall tell 
you what is done in relation to that. Dr. Petty hath 
written by him to Dr. Harrison and several others, and 
promist to provide him a purchase of land, at great advan- 
tage, and many other intimate kindnesses, wherein your 
advice will be askt. Dr. Cox, a physician, and a very 
ingenious man, who hath married the chancellor's sister, 
hath written on his behalf very passionately, and some of as 
near relation to my Lord Peepes hath recommended him to 
him. Serjeant Twisden, one of the eminentest lawyers in 
England, who married Sir Matthew Tomlinson's sister, hath 
written to him very earnestly, and so hath his wife also. 
Mr. Hall, an understanding man, and always one of the 
knights for Lincolnshire, hath recommended him to his 
friend Mr. Bury, and so hath Mr. Bacon, one of the masters 
of request, done for him to my Lord Chief Baron. But, 
besides all this, my Lord Protector hath given him a pass 
and a protection for himself and his family, under his sign 
manual and privy signet. So that I hope it will not be 
treason to look upon him and to own him. Dr. Loftus is 
his friend. I have sent you and my sister a box of pills, by 
Dr. Taylor, of the same proportion as that I sent last 
summer. 

Your affectionate brother, 
" Kensington, June 15, 1658." " E. CONWAY." 

NOTE (Y). 

Edwards, in his Gangraena, speaks of the Perfectists or 
Perfectionists in the same category with the most detested 
heretics of his time. " All the sects, yea, the worst of them, 
as the Antiscripturists, Arians, Anti-trinitarians, Perfectists, 
being Independents and Separatists." The Dr. Gell, who 
appears to have favoured them, was, probably, " Robert 
Gell, D.D. of Pampisford in Cambridgeshire, Rector of St. 
Mary, Aldermary, and sometime chaplain to the archbishop 
of Canterbury, which doctor died in the very beirinningr of 



338 NOTES. 

the year, (twenty-fifth March or thereabouts,) 1665." — Athena' 
Oxon. vol. iii. col. 562. 

NOTE (Z). 

" I received a letter yesterday from Dr. Taylor : it hath 
almost broken my heart. Mr. Tandy hath exhibited articles 
against him to the lord deputy and council, so simple, (as 
colonel Hill writes,) that it is impossible it should come to 
any thing : the greatest scandal being, that he christened 
Mr. Bryer's child with the sign of the cross. I have written 
to Hyrne to supply him with money for his vindication, as if 
it were my own business. I hope, therefore, when you come 
over, you will take him [Tandy] off from persecuting me, 
since none knows better than yourself whether I deserve the 
same at his hands. I would have sent you the Doctor's 
letter to me, but that I know not whether this will ever 
come to you. The quarrel is, it seems, because he thinks 
Dr. Taylor more welcome to Hillsborough than himself. 

" Kensington, June 14, 1G59." " E. CONWAY." 

To this same conduct of Tandy's Lord Conway else- 
where alludes with a similar resentment : " Mr. Tandy may 
have enough of these [Anabaptists and Quakers] to set 
himself against, without troubling his peaceable and best 
neighbours." — Rawdon Papers, p. 199. 



NOTE (AA). 

The first work to which Taylor alludes is " St. Chry- 
sostom's Golden Book for the Education of Children, 
out of the Greeke," 1659. 12mo. The other work alluded 
to must have been in MS., since I cannot find that Evelyn 
ever published any account of his travels. The authors 
of the Biographia Britannica (vol. v. p. 610,) say, *' It is 
much to be regretted that a work so entertainmg as the 
history of his travels would have been, appeared, even to 
so indefatigable a person as he was, a task too laborious for 
him to undertake : for w^e should there have seen clearly, and 
in a true light, many things in reference to Italy wliich are 
now very indistinctly and partially represented ; and we 



xoTKs. 339 

should have also met with much new matter never touched 
before, and of which we shall now, |)rol)a1)ly, never lieai' 
at all." 

NOTE (BB). 

This was Thomas Piers, or Pierce, first fellow of Mao- 
dalen, afterwards rector of Brington, in Northamptonshire, 
then president of his own College, and lastly dean of Salis- 
bury. He is described by Wood as " a person w^ell read in 
authors, whether civil or prophane, of a florid style, a 
zealous son of the church of England, though originally 
a Calvinist ; but, above all, a most excellent preacher, whether 
in the English or the Latin tongue." — Wood, Aihen. vol. iv. 
p. 299. The particular works alluded to by Taylor are, 
1. " An Additional Advertisement of Mr. Baxter's Book, 
entitled the Grotian Religion discovered, &.c." printed in 
the same volume with ** Self-Condemnation exemplified in 
^Ir. Whitfield, Mr. Barlee, and Mr. Hickman ; with occa- 
sional Reflections on Calvin, Beza, Zuinglius, Piscator, 
Rivet, and Bullock ; but more especially on Dr. W. Twisse 
and Mr. T. Hobbes." Lond. 1650. quarto. 2. " The New 
Discoverer discovered ; by w^ay of Answer to Mr. Baxter his 
pretended Discovery of the Grotian Religion, with the seve- 
ral Subjects therein contained. Lond. 1659. quarto." 
Pierce seems to have been a pungent and caustic writer, 
well read in the Quinquarticular controversy, and fearless in 
the defence of the Church of England, even during her time 
of greatest depression. He must, however, have, in some 
degree, complied with the ruling powers, since he held his 
livino' unmolested durino; the whole of the Civil War and 
the Usurpation. 

NOTE (CC). 

'* Herbert Thorndyke, prebend oi" Westminster, and 
sometimes fellow of Trin. Coll., in Cambridge," died in 
July 1672. He is mentioned by Wood, Atlien. vol. ii. 
p. 302 and 4. But of his literary labours I know nothing ; 
nor, from Taylor's estimate, do they seem worth nuich 
inquiry. 



340 NOTES. 



NOTE (DD). 



For a beautiful " Prayer, to be said by Debtors and all 
Persons, obliged whether by Crime or Contract," see the 
" Holy Living/' vol. vi. p. 177. It contains many expres- 
sions which prove it to have been in frequent use witli 
Taylor himself, and to have been prompted by the neces- 
sities of his own condition. 

NOTE (EE). 

Extract from the Oliverian Minutes of the Year 1659: 
Record Tower, Duhli?i Castle. 

" Dr. Taylor. 

'' Ordered, 

'' That Lt. Coll. Bryan Smyth, Governor of Carrick- 
fergus, do forthwith upon sight hereof cause the body of Dr. 
Jeremiah Taylor to be sent up to Dublin under safe custody, 
to the end he may make his personall appearance before the 
said Com'^^ to answer unto such things as shall be objected 
ag* him in behalf of the Com'onwealth. Dated att Dub- 
lin y" 11th of August 1659. 

" Signed, THO. HERBERT, Seer." 

NOTE (FF). 

These troubles were the rising of Sir George Booth and 
the gentry of Cheshire and the neighbouring counties, after 
the death of Cromwell, in July 1659. The usual way be- 
tween London and Ireland was thus rendered impassable, 
and the severities which were exercised on the loyalists 
after their defeat were likely to render men unwilling to 
become the bearers of any communication with a person 
of such known political principles as Jeremy Taylor. — See 
H^ME, vol. vii. pp. 300, 301, 302. 

NOTE (GG). 

The works here alluded to are, 1st. Evelyn's " Apology 
for the Royal Party, written in a Letter to a Person in the 



xoj'Es. 341 

late Council of State ; witli a Toucli at tlie pretended Plea 
of the Army." London, 16-09. quarto ; and *' Elysium Bri- 
tannicum," a projected Treatise on Gardening, in three books 
which was never completed. — See Evelyn's Memoirs, vol. 
ii. p. 90. 

NOTE (HH). 

" Here I cannot but instance two acts of the Presby- 
terians, by which, if their humour and spirit were not 
enough discovered and known, their want of ingenuity and 
integrity would be manifest; and how impossible it is for 
men, who would not be deceived, to depend on either. 
When the declaration had been delivered to the ministers, 
there was a clause in it, in which the king declared " his 
own constant practice of the Common Prayer," and that he 
would take it well from those who used it in their churches, 
that the common people might be again acquainted with the 
piety, gravity, and devotion of it, and which he thought 
would facilitate their living in a good neighbourhood to- 
gether, or words to that effect. When they had considered 
the whole some days, Mr. Calamy, and some other ministers 
deputed by the rest, came to the chancellor to redeliver 
it into his hands. They acknowledged ' the king had been 
very gracious to them in his concessions; though he had 
not granted all that some of their brethren wished, yet 
they were contented ; only desired him that ' he would pre- 
vail wath the king that the clause mentioned before might 
be left out ; which' — they protested, * was moved by them 
for the king's own end ; and that they might show their 
obedience to him, and resolution to do him service. For 
they were resolved themselves to do what the king wished, 
and first to reconcile the people, who for near twenty years 
had not been acquainted with that form, by informing them, 
that it contained much piety and devotion, and might be 
lawfully used ; and then, that they would begin to use it 
themselves, and by degrees accustom the people to it. 
Which,' they said, * would have a better effect than if the 
clause were in the declaration ; for they should be thought 
in their persuasions to comply only with the king's decla- 
ration, and to merit from his majesty, and not to be moved 



342 -VOTES. 

from (he conscience of the duty : and so they should take 
that occasion J:o manifest their zeal to please the king. And 
they feared there would other ill consequences from it, by 
the waywardness of the common people, who were to be 
treated with skill, and would not be prevailed upon all at 
once.' The king was to be present the next morning, to 
hear the declaration read the last time before both par- 
ties ; and then the chancellor told him, in the presence of 
all the rest, what the ministers had desired, which they again 
enlarged upon, with the same protestations of their resolu- 
tions, in such a manner that his majesty believed they 
meant honestly, and the clause was left out. But the de- 
claration was no sooner published, than, observing that 
the people were generally satisfied with it, they sent their 
emissaries abroad ; and many of their letters were inter- 
cepted, and particularly a letter from Mr. Calamy to a lead- 
ino- minister in Somersetshire, whereby he advised and in- 
treated him, ' that he and his friends would continue and 
persist in the use of the Directory, and by no means admit 
the Common Prayer in their churches ; for that he made 
no question but that they should prevail further with the 
king than he had yet consented to in his declaration.' " 

*' The other instance was, that, as soon as the declara- 
tion was printed, the king received a petition in the name 
of the ministers of London and many others, of the same 
opinion with them who had subscribed that petition, 
amongst whom none of those who had attended the king- 
in those conferences had their names. They gave his 
majesty humble thanks ' for the grace he had vouchsafed to 
show in his declaration, which they received as an earnest of 
his future goodness and condescension in granting all those 
other concessions which were absolutely necessary for the 
liberty of their conscience ;' and desired, with importunity 
and ill manners, ' that the wearing the surplice, and the 
using the cross in baptism, might be absolutely abolished 
out of the church, as being scandalous to all men of tender 
consciences.' From these two instances, all men may con- 
clude that nothing but a severe execution of the law can 
prevail upon that classis of men to conform to government.'* 
Clarendon's Life, pp. 75, 76. 



NOTES. 343 

I certainly do not consider Clarendon's inference i»s an 
accurate one. The duplicity or bigotry of a few leadin^^ 
individuals can be no good argument against using all just 
and reasonable means to conciliate a numerous and power- 
ful party, the majority of whom must be, like other men, to 
be subdued by kindness, and satisfied when their complaints 
are attended to. Nor is there any method so likely to de- 
stroy the consequence of the obnoxious individuals them- 
selves, as a removal of the real or imaginary grievances 
which constitute the strength of their cause, and supply 
them with arms against the government. But we know how 
much mankind are, even in spite of themselves, deterred 
from a perseverance in conciliatory measures, by the un- 
thankful manner in which those measures are received : 
nor have they, who will make no concessions, any right to 
complain that they do not obtain fresh privileges. 

NOTE (II). 
The inscription on the communion plate is as follows : 

" In INIinisterium SS. IMysteriorum 
In Ecclesia Cliristi Redemptoi'is 

De Dromore. 
Deo dedit humilHma Domina 
Ancilla D. Joanna Taylor." 

BONNEY, p. 323. 

Here, it will be observed, the lady is called Joanna, with- 
out any distinctive mark; but as Mrs. Taylor herself bore 
that name, she is more likely to have been the giver than her 
daughter : more particularly since Joanna, the daughter, 
liad two elder sisters, and can have been little more than a 
child at this time. Mrs. Taylor was also an heiress, so that 
she may well have retained some portion of her property in 
her own hands, so as to make the present really hers. 

NOTE (JJ). 

" At Michaelmas, 1662, Francis Taverner, about twenty-five 
years old, a lusty proper stout fellow, then servant at large 
(afterwards porter,) to the Lord Chichester, Earl of Donegal, 
at Belfast in the north of Ireland, county of Antrim, and 



344 NOTES. 

diocese of Connor, riding late in the night from Hilbrough 
homeward, near Drum Bridge, his horse, though of good 
metal, suddenly made a stand ; and he, supposing him to 
be taken with the staggers, alighted to bloud him in the 
mouth, and presently mounted again. As he was setting 
forward, there seemed to pass by him two horsemen, 
though he coiild not hear the treading of their feet, which 
amazed him. Presently there appeared a third in a white 
coat, just at his elbow, in the likeness of James Had- 
dock, formerly an inhabitant in Malone, where he died 
near five years before. Whereupon Taverner asked him 
in the name of God who he was ? He replied, ' I am James 
Haddock, and you may call to mind by this token : 
that about five years ago, I and two other friends were 
at your father's house, and you, by your father's appoint- 
ment, brought us some nuts ; and therefore be not afraid,' 
says the apparition. Whereupon Taverner, remembering 
the circumstances, thought it might be Haddock ; and those 
two, who passed by before him, he thought to be his two 
friends with him when he gave them nuts ; and courage- 
ously asked him why he appeared to him rather than 
any other. He answered, because he was a man of more 
resolution than others : and if he would ride his way with 
him, he would acquaint him with a business he had to 
deliver him, which Taverner refused to do, and would go 
his own way, (for they were now at a quadrivial,) and so 
rode on homewards. But immediately on their departure 
there arose a great wind, and withal he heard very hideous 
screeches and noises, to his great amasement ; but riding- 
forward as fast as he could, he at last heard the cocks crow 
to his comfort ; he alighted from his horse, and falling to 
prayer, desired God's assistance, and so got safe home. 

" The night after there appeared again to him the likeness 
of James Haddock, and bid him go to Elenor Welch, (now 
the wife of Davis, living at Malone, but formerly the wife of 
the said James Haddock, by whom she had an onely son, to 
whom the said James Haddock had by his will given a lease, 
which he held of the Lord Chichester, of which the son was 
deprived by Davis, who had married his mother,) and to 
ask her if her maiden name w as not Elenor Welch ; and if it 
were, to tell her, that it was the will of her former husband 



XOTKS. S^b 

James Haddock tliat their son should be righted in the 
lease. But Taverner, partly loath to gain the ill will of his 
neighbours, and partly thinking he should not be credited 
but looked on as deluded, long neglected to do his message ; 
till having been every night for about a month's space haunted 
with this apparition in several forms, every night more and 
more terrible, (which was usually preceded by an unusual 
trembling over his whole body, and great change of coun- 
tenance manifest to his wife, in whose presence frequently 
tlie apparition was, though not visible to her;) at length he 
went to Malone to Davis's wife, and askt whether her 
maiden name was not Elenor Welch ; if it was, he had 
something to say to her. She replied, there was another 
Elenor Welch besides her. Hereupon Taverner returned 
without delivering his message. The same night, being fast 
asleep in his bed, (for the former apparitions were as he 
sate by the fire with his wife,) by something pressing upon 
liim he was awakened, and saw again the apparition of James 
Haddock in a white coat as at other times, who asked him if 
he had delivered his message ? He answered, he had been 
there with Elenor Welch. Upon which, the apparitioi. 
looking more pleasantly upon him, bid him not be afraid, 
and so vanished in a flash of brightness. But some nights 
after, (he having not delivered his message,) he came again, 
and appearing in many formidable shapes, threatened to tear 
him in pieces if he did not do it. This made him leave his 
house, where he dwelt, in the mountains, and betake himself 
to the town of Belfast, where he sate up all night at one 
Pierce's house, a shoemaker, accompanied with the said 
Pierce and a servant or two of the Lord Chichester, who 
were desirous to hear or see the spirit. About midnight, as 
they were all by the fire-side, they beheld Taverner's counte- 
nance to change, and a trembling to fall on him, who pre- 
sently cspyed the apparition in a room opposite to him 
where he sate, and took up the candle and went to it, and 
resolutely asked him in the name of God wherefore it Jiaunted 
him ? It rephed, because he had not delivered the message, 
and withal threatened to tear him in pieces if he did not do 
it speedily ; and so changing itself into many prodigious 
shapes, it vanisht in wdiite like a ghost. Whereupon Fran- 
cis Taverner became much dejected and troubled, and next 
day went to the Lord Chichester's house, and with tears in 



346 NOTES. 

his eyes related to some of the I'amiiy the sadness of his 
condition. They told it to my Lord's chaplain, Mr, James 
South, who came presently to Taverner, and being ac- 
quainted of his whole story, advised liim to go this present 
time to Malone to deliver punctually his message, and pro- 
mised to go along with him. But first they went to Dr. 
Lewis Dowels, then Minister of Belfost, who, upon hearing 
the relation of the whole matter, doubted at first the truth 
of it, attributing it rather to melancholy than any thing 
of reality. But being afterwards fully satisfied of it, the 
only scruple remaifiing was, whether it might be lawful to 
go on such a business, not knowing whose errand it was ; 
since, though it was a real apparition of some spirit, yet 
it was questionable wdiether of a good or a bad spirit. 
Yet the justice of the cause, (it being the common report 
the youth w^as wronged,) and other considerations prevailing, 
he went with them. So they three went to Davis's house, 
where the woman being desired to come to them, Taverner 
did effectually do his message, by telling her, that he 
could not be at quiet for the ghost of her former husband 
James Haddock, who threatened to tear him in pieces if he 
did not tell her she must right John Haddock, her son by 
him, in a lease wherein she and Davis, her now husband, 
had wTonged him. This done, he presently found great 
quietness in his mind ; and, thanking the gentlemen for their 
company, advice, and assistance, he departed thence to liis 
brother's house at Drum Bridge ; where, about two nights 
after, the aforesaid apparition came to him again, and, more 
pleasantly than formerly, askt if he had delivered his mes- 
sage? He answered, he had done it fully. It replied, 
that he must do the message to the executors also, that the 
business might be perfected. At this meeting, . Taverner 
asked the spirit if Davis would do him any hurt ; to which it 
answ^ered at first somewhat doubtfully ; but at length threat- 
ened Davis, if he attempted any thing to the injury of Ta- 
verner, and so vanisht away in white. 

" The day following. Dr. Jeremie Taylor, Bishop of Down, 
Connor, and Dromore, w^as to go to keep court at Dro- 
more, and commanded me, who w^as then secretary to him, 
to write for Taverner to meet him there, which he did. 
And there, in the presence of many, he examined Taverner 
strictly in this strange scene of Providence, as my Lord 



\OTEs. 347 

stil'd it ; and by the account given him, i^oth by Tavcrncr, 
and otl^.ers who knew Tavcrner, and much of the former 
particulars, his Lordsliip was satislicd that the ap])arition 
was true and real ; but said no more there to him, because 
at Hilbrough, three miles from thence on his way home, my 
Lord was informed that my Lady Conway and other persons 
of quality were coming purposely to hear his Lordship 
examine the matter. So Taverner went with us to Hilbrough ; 
and there, to satisfy the curiosity of the fresh company, after 
asking many things anew, and some over again, my Lord 
advised him, the next time the spirit appeared, to ask him 
these questions : * Whence are you ? Are you a good or 
a bad spirit ? Where is your abode ? What station do you 
hold ? How are you regimented in the other w^orld ? And 
what is the reason that you appear for the relief of your 
son in so small a matter, when so many widows and orphans 
are oppressed in the w^orld, being defrauded of gTcater 
matters, and none from thence of their relations appear, as 
you do, to right them?' 

" That night Taverner was sent for to Lisburne, to my Lord 
Conway's, three miles from Hilbrough, on his way home to 
Belfast, where he was again strictly examined in the pre- 
sence of many good men and women of the aforesaid matter, 
who was ordered to lie at my Lord Conway's all night ; and 
about nine or ten o'clock at night, standing by the fire-side 
with his brother and many others, his countenance changed, 
and he fell into a trembling, the usual prognostic of the 
apparition ; and being loath to make any disturbance in his 
lordship's house, he and his brother went out into the court, 
where he saw the spirit coming over the wall ; which ap- 
proaching nearer, askt him if he had done his message to the 
executors also? He replied he had, and wondered it should 
still haunt him. It replied, he need not fear, for it would 
do him no hurt, nor trouble him any more, but the execu- 
tors, if he did not see the boy righted. Here his brother 
put him in mind to ask the spirit what the bishop bid him, 
which he did presently. But it gave him no answer, but 
crawled on its hands and feet over the wall again, and so 
vanisht in white, with a most melodious harmony. 

•' Note (1) That Pierce, at whose house, and in whose 
presence the apparition was, being askt whether he saw the 
spirit, said he did not, but thought at that time he had a 



348 NOTES. 

mist all over his eyes. (2) What was then spoke to Taver- 
ner was in so low and hollow a voice, that they could not 
understand what it said. (3) At Pierce's house it stood just 
in the entry of a door, and as a maid passed by to go in at 
the door, Taverner saw it go aside and give way to the 
maid, though she saw it not. (4) That the lease was here- 
upon disposed to the boy's use. (5) The spirit, at the last 
appearing at my Lord Conway's house, revealed somewhat to 
Taverner, which he would not discover to any of us that 
askt him. 

" This Taverner, with all the persons and places mentioned 
in the story, I knew very well, and all wise and good men did 
believe it, especially the bishop, and dean of Connor, Dr. Rust. 
*' Witness your humble servant, 

" THOMAS ALCOCK." 

" David Hunter, neat-herd, at the bishop's house at Port- 
more ; there appeared to him one night, carrying a log of 
wood into the dairy, an old woman, which amazed him, for 
he knew her not ; but the fright made him throw away his 
log of wood, and run into the house. The next night she 
appeared again to him, and he could not chuse but follow 
her all night, and so almost every night for near three quar- 
ters of a year. Whenever she came, he must go with her 
through the woods at a good round rate, and the poor 
fellow looked as if he was bewitched, and travelled oft" his 
legs. And when in bed with his wife, if she appeared, 
he must rise and go. And because his wife could not hold 
him in his bed, she would go too, and walk after him till 
day, though she see nothing. But his little dog was so 
well acquainted with the apparition, that he would follow 
her as well as his master. If a tree stood in her walk, he 
observed her always to go through it. In all this while she 
spoke not. 

" But one day the said David going over a hedge into the 
high-way, she came just against him ; and he cryed out, 
* Lord bless me ! would I was dead ; shall I never be deli- 
vered from this misery?' At which — * And the Lord bless 
me too,' says she ; ' It was very happy you spake first, for 
till then I had no power to speak, though I have followed 

you so long.' — ' My name,' says she, ' is Margaret . 

I lived here before the war, and had one son by my husband. 



NOTES. 349 

When he died I married a soldier, by whom I had several 
children, which that former son maintained, else we must 
have all starved. He lives beyond the Baun Water; pray 
go to him, and bid him dig under such a hearth, and there 
he shall find 28s. Let him pay what I owe in such a place, 
and the rest to the charge unpaid at my funeral ; and go to 
my son that lives here, which I had by my latter husband, 
and tell him that he lives a wicked and a dissolute life, and 
is very unnatural and ungrateful to his brother that main- 
tained him ; and if he does not mend his life, God Almighty 
will destroy him.' 

" David Hunter told her, he never knew her. * No,' 
says she; *I died seven years before you came into the 
country.' But for all that, if he would do her message, she 
should never hurt him. But he deferred doing as the appa- 
ration bid him; and she appeared the night after as he 
lay in bed, and struck him on the shoulder very hard ; 
at which he cryed out, and asked her if she did not pro- 
mise she would not hurt him. She said, that was if he 
did her message; if not, she would kill him. He told her, 
he could not go now, by reason the waters were out. She 
said, she was content he should stay till they were abated ; 
but charged him afterwards not to fail her. So he did 
her errand, and afterwards she appeared and gave him 
thanks. 'For now,' said she, *I shall be at rest; there- 
fore pray you lift me up from the ground, and I will trouble 
you no more.' So David Hunter lifted her up from the 
ground, and, as he said, she felt just like a bag of feathers in 
his arms. So she vanished, and he heard most delicate 
musick as she went off, over his head ; and he never was more 
troubled. 

*' This account the poor fellow gave us every day as the 
apparition spoke to him ; and my Lady Conway came to 
Portmore, where she asked the fellow the same questions, 
and many more. This I know to be true, being all the 
while with my Lord of Downe, and the fellow but a poor 
neat-herd there. 

" TH03IAS ALCOCK." 

Glanvill's Sadducmniis Triu/np/iatus ; edited hi/ 
More, Lend. 1082. pj). 243—25.3. 



350 XOTES. 

" I cannot but animadvert upon what is here expressed 
concerning the questions which the bishop would needs have 
propounded to and resolved by this spectre. I am per- 
suaded that the apostle Paul, who speaks of man's intruding 
into those things which he hath not seen. Col. ii. 18, would 
hardly have given such counsel as the bishop did. One of 
his questions, (viz. Are you a good or a bad spirit?) seems 
to be a needless and impertinent inquiry ; for good angels 
never appear in the shape of dead men, but evil and 
wicked spirits have oftentimes done so. His other queries 
savour too much of vain curiosity : they bring to mind 
what is by that great historian Thuanus, (lib. 130, p. 1136), 
reported concerning Peter Cotton, the Jesuit ; who, having 
a great desire to be satisfied about some questions which 
no man living could resolve him in, he applied himself to 
a maid who was possessed with a devil, charging the 
spirit in her to resolve his proposals. Some of which w^ere 
of this Ivor Id; e. g. he desired the devil, if he could, to tell 
him w hen Calvinism would be extinguished ; and what 
would be the most effectual means to turn the kinodom 
of England from the Protestant to the Popish religion? 
What would be the issue of the wars and s^reat desio;ns 
then on foot in the v/orld ? — Other of his inquiries respected 
the old world; e. g. How Noah could take the living crea- 
tures that were brought into the ark ? Who those sons of God 
were that loved the daughters of men ? Whether serpents 
went upon feet before Adam's fall ? &€. Some of his ques- 
tions respected the other ivorld. He w^ould have the spirit 
resolve him. How long the fallen angels were in heaven 
before they were cast out from thence ? And what is the 
most evident place in the Scripture to prove that there is a 
purgatory ? Who are the seven spirits that stand before the 
throne of God ? Who is the kins; of the archano-els ? 
Where Paradise is ? Now let the reader judge whether 
Dr. Taylor's questions, when he would have the spirit resolve 
him, Where is your abode ? What station do you hold ? 
How are you regimented in the other w^orld ? &c. be not as 
curious as some of the Jesuit's. Wise men thought it tended 
much to the disreputation of Petter Cotton ; when, through 
his incognitant leaving the book wherein his inquiries of 
the daemon were written, with a friend, the matter came to 



NOTES. 351 

be divul<2;ed. I cannot think that Dr. Taylor's secretary, his 
pubhshing these curiosities of his Lord, hath added much to 
liis credit among sound and judicious persons. There is a 
tragical passage related in the story of the dicmon, which 
for three months molested the house of Mr. Perreaud, a Pro- 
testant minister in Matiscon. One in the room would needs 
be propounding needless questions for the devil to answer, 
though iMr. Perreaud told him of the danger in it. After a 
deal of discourse, the devil said unto him, ' You should have 
hearkened to the minister's good counsel, who told you, 
that you ought not to ask curious questions of the devil ; yet 
you would do it, and now I must school you for your pains,* 
Presently upon wdiich the man w^as, by an invisible hand, 
plucked up by his thumb, and twirled round and thrown down 
upon the floor, and so continued in most grievous misery. I 
hope, then, that none will be emboldened from the bishop's 
advice, to inquire at the mouth of devils, or of apparitions, 
until such time as they know whether they are devils 
or no." — Increase Mather's Diary for the Recording of 
Illustrious Providences. 12mo. Boston, 1684. pp. 223— 229. 

Mather does not seem to have perceived (indeed, if he 
had, it would not have diminished his displeasure,) the drift 
and object of that sort of cross-examination to which Taylor 
wished to subject the apparition, nor that it was intended 
merely to perplex and expose the person who, as he sus- 
pected, played the part of spectre. It is singular that the 
practice, so usual with the Romislr exorcists, of asking- 
strange and curious questions of exorcised persons, '* cun- 
ningly to get out of the devil, the confession of some 
article of faith, for the edification of the standers by," — is 
exposed by Taylor himself, in one of his controversial 
works, in a strain of powerful satire, which wdll well repay 
the reader wdio may refer to it. Mather, who was a steady 
and most intolerant believer in the reality of such visitations, 
and who trusted in exorcisms as implicitly as Peter Cotton, 
the Jesuit, (provided only those exorcisms were after the 
model of the directory, and uttered by a minister in a black 
cloak instead of a cope and surplice,) would have thought 
his wit, indeed, grievously out of place; but even Mather 
himself would have had some difficulty in answering satis- 



352 NOTES. 

factorily the decision with which he winds up his plea- 
santries. 

"The casting out of devils is a miraculous power, and 
given at first for the confirmation of Christian faith, as 
the gifts of tongues and healing were ; and therefore, we 
have reason to believe, that because it is not an ordinary 
power, the ordinary exorcisms cast out no more devils than 
extreme unction cures sicknesses. We do not envy to any 
one any grace of God, but wish it were more modestly pre- 
tended, unless it could be more evidently proved, Origen 
condemned this whole procedure of conjuring devils long 
since : and St. Chrysostom spake soberly and truly. We 
poor wretches cannot drive away the flies, much less devils." 
— Dissuasive from Popery, vol. x. pp. 237 — 238. 

NOTE (KK). 

That his health was broken appears by the anxiety 
expressed by Lord Conway, (who was a steady believer in 
the wonderful cures effected by Valentine Greatraiks,) that 
this singular person should be admitted to operate upon him. 
" I had a letter also from my brother Francis. I am con- 
fident Mr. Greatrix would recover him or the Bishop of Doioi, 
for I do pretty well know what distempers he can cure, and 
what he cannot cure." — Rawdon Papers, p. 214. Of Mr. 
Greatraiks and his miracles, a strange account is given in a 
letter from Taylor's friend. Dean Rust, to the learned and 
pious, but superstitious Glanvill ; Saddiicismus Triumphatns , 
pp. 81 — 83. See also Henry More's Scholia on sect. 58. 
of his Enthusiasmus Triumphatus, and ** A brief Account of 
Mr. Valentine Greatraks, and divers of the strange Cures by 
him lately performed, in a letter addressed to the Hon. 
Boyle." London, 1666. The strangest part of the story is 
the good character and good sense of Greatraiks, who seems 
to have given no symptoms either of enthusiasm or im- 
posture, and who, though he demanded £155. for his journey 
into England, to try his powers on the Lady Conway, 
(Rawdon Papers, p. 207), in general accepted no reward 
for the benefits which he conferred. After all, in an age 
of metallic tractors and animal magnestism, we have no right 



NOTES. 353 

to wonder at the credulity of our orandfiithers and grand- 
mothers. 

NOTE (LL). 

It is my duty to acknowledge that this part of lady 
Wray's statement is clogged with many difticultics, not 
unlikely, perhaps, to occur in the narrative of a person, who, 
at an advanced age, gives details of events which happened 
before she was born, but which prevent our receiving all the 
circumstances which she relates with unhesitating assent. 
Thus, she calls the officer who was killed in a duel, *' her 
uncle Edward r and says, that the duel took place at 
*'" Oxford." But if a duel so remarkable had occurred at 
Oxford, it is almost certain that Anthony Wood would have 
taken some notice of it. And, further, it appears from the 
Register, that Edward Taylor, son of the bishop, was buried 
not at Oxford, but at Lisburn, in March, 1661, — too soon to 
make it probable that he could have attained the rank of 
captain in the guards, inasmuch as, at that time, the govern- 
ment were rather occupied in disbanding the old army than 
in raising or new modelling another. It is, therefore, most 
reasonable to apprehend that she had confounded names 
and dates, and given an erroneous version of a story which 
might well be true in the main, though it neither happened 
at the place, nor to the person whom she supposed. A 
similar mistake occurs in her account of her uncle Charles, 
whom she asserts to have taken a master's degree in the 
university of Dublin. This, I have ascertained, he certainly 
never did. But, though I cannot place imphcit confidence 
in the circumstances of her story, I cannot think myself 
justified in withholding all credence from it, since it is, after 
all, as good authority as can generally be expected in cases 
of family tradition. 

NOTE (MM). 

'* Feb. 24, 1680. To the Royal Society, where I met an 
Irish bishop and his lady, who was daughter to my worthy 
and pious friend, Dr. Jeremy Taylor, late bishop of Down 
and Connor. They came to see the Repository ; she seemed 
to be a knowing woman, beyond the ordinary talent of her 
sex." — Evelyn Memoirs, vol. i. p. 217. 

A A 



354 NOTES. 

NOTE (NN). 

The son of archbishop Marsh, by Mary Taylor, was after- 
wards dean of Down ; but I have been able to discover 
nothino- more concerning him, except that he also had a son 
who left five children ; 1. Francis, still living, and father of 
a numerous family, who is in possession of bishop Taylor's 
watch, given him by king Charles ; 2. Robert, in holy orders, 
and living in 1817; 3. Digby, also in orders, and fellow of 
Trinity College, Dublin, who died August 12, 1791 ; 4. 
Jeremy, also deceased, who had the origiLal of the picture 
whence Mr. Bonney's print is taken; and 5. a daughter, 
married to Mr. Simon Digby, and living in 1817. 

Of Digby, the third son, the following character appeared 
at the time of his death, in the public papers. For it, as 
well as all the preceding particulars concerning the Marsh 
family, I am indebted to Mr. Bonney's MS. Dr. Marsh, I 
can believe to have been not unworthy of such an ancestor 
as Jeremy Taylor, though, probably, he himself, and, cer- 
tainly, his great-great-grandfather would have been surprised 
at some of those peculiar flowers of eloquence which dis- 
tinguish the eulogium before us. 

" On Friday last, (August 12, 1791,) died at his chambers 
in the College, (Dublin), of a severe indisposition, which he 
bore with becoming fortitude and resignation, the Rev. 
Digby Marsh, D.D., senior fellow of Trinity College, pro- 
fessor of modern histoiy, register [registrar) of the university, 
and member of the Royal Irish Academy. 

** Whether we consider the elevation of his mind, the 
strength of his talents, or the number of his virtues, we 
cannot hesitate to pronounce him among the first characters 
of wh,ich the university, or, perhaps, the nation, could boast. 

*' Calm, deliberate, and reserved — his calmness was 
fortitude, his deliberation wisdom, his reserved modesty. 

*' That magnanimity which raised him above the reach 
of passion, gave to every action of his life decision and 
intrepidity ; and, whilst he seemed slow in deciding, he was 
retarded not by the dulness of conception, but by the range 
of his sagacity and the comprehension of his views. 

" The austerity of his deportment, the effect not of pride, 
but of constitution, was softened into aflfabilitv by a native 



NOTES. 355 

o'entleness and benevolence wliich could not be disiruised ; 
and through a severity of manner, perhaps, not ill-suited to 
the serious dignity of his mind, beamed the mildest etiusions 
of a generous and feeling heart. 

" His affections were not easily excited ; but they were 
strong, steady, and permanent ; and whilst he scorned to 
make professions of regard, his actions proved him a sincere 
and disinterested friend. 

*' Noble and elevated in his sentiments, he has left 
behind him a character unsullied by a single mean or dis- 
honourable act. ' 

" Nor, indeed, was it possible that a man, the independ- 
ence of whose virtue rested upon itself, and, far from 
courting, rather shunned applause, could have deviated from 
the strict path which honour and conscience prescribe. En- 
dowed wath singular powers of understanding, he sought not 
their display. 

" His genius was too proud to stoop to fame; too modest 
to hope for it. But the gratitude of that place, which has 
been enriched by his talents and improved by his virtues, 
will pay to his memory that tribute of admiration and praise, 
which the diffidence that ever attends real abilities would 
have prevented him from accepting in his life. 

'' The governors of Trinity College unanimously resolved, 
that the late much-lamented Dr. Marsh should be interred in 
the College Chapel, w^ith all academical honours, and with 
every mark of respect that could testify their just sense of his 
superior merit. But Dr. Marsh's family declined the offer, 
with many expressions of thankfulness for the honour in- 
tended their relation, whom they rather chose should be 
buried privately in their own family vault." 

Of Joanna Taylor, and her descendants, the following 
account is taken from Mr. Todd Jones's MSS. and informa- 
tion furnished by his surviving sisters. Joanna, it will be 
recollected, was married to Edward Harrison, of Maralave, 
esquire, member of parliament for Lisburn. By him she 
had four sons and two daughters : 1. Michael Harrison, 
muster-master-general of Ireland, and master of the staple 
in that kingdom, which he inherited from his grandfather, 
to whom it was granted by Charles the Second. The illu- 
minated patent is vet in the possession of the family, but its 



356 NOTES. 

privileges were taken away in the 12th year of king Wil- 
liam. He represented Belfast in the Irish parliament, and 
died young without issue. 2. Jeremiah Taylor Harrison, 
commissary-general of Ireland, and member of parliament 
for Knocktopher. Of ail the grandchildren of bishop Taylor, 
this his namesake was accounted to bear the strongest 
resemblance to him in person, countenance, and disposition ; 
but, beino: a Whip-, he has fallen under the lash of Swift 
in the " Legion Club." It is, perhaps, singular that Taylor's 
descendants should have been Whigs ; but still more so that 
the one who most resembled him should be so handed down 
to posterity by the pen of a malicious satirist. 

" There sit Clements, Dilkes, and Harrison ; 
How they swagger from their garrison ; 
Such a triplet could you tell 
"Where to find on this side hell ? 
Harrison, and Dilkes, and Clements, 
Keeper, see they have their payments ! 
Every mischief's in their hearts ; 
If they fail, 'tis want of parts ! '* 

He married Mary, daughter of the secretary Vernon, and 
sister to the admiral of the same name, and died at Brook 
Hill, near Lisburn, also without issue. 3. Francis Harrison, 
representative for the county of Carlow, who inhabited the 
property of both his brothers, which he largely increased by 
an advantageous purchase from the crown of the estates of 
Castlemartin, forfeited by Sir Maurice Eustace, late lord 
chancellor of Ireland, under king James. In 1724 he be- 
came a partner in a banking-house at Dublin, then esteemed 
the most flourishing in the British islands. In 1729, how- 
ever, Mr. Harrison died suddenly, intestate, and with the 
whole of his property unsettled; the affairs of the bank 
became greatly involved, and a burden, for which he was 
extremely ill fitted, devolved, on, 4. his youngest brother. 
Marsh Harrison, captain in the army, a weak and dissipated 
man, who died soon after, a victim to various excesses. 
The bank failed, and a great part of the Harrison estates 
were involved in the ruin. A considerable surplus, however, 
remained to, 6. Mary, the survivor of the whole family ; 
married, first, to colonel Francis Columbine, by whom she 
had two daughters ; Frances, married to William Todd, esq.. 



NOTES. 357 

and Harrison, married to Sir Christopher Hales, of Lincoln- 
shire. After Colonel Columbine's death, his widow ai^ain 
married Sir Cecil Wray, of Smiimer Castle and Brampstone, 
in Lincolnshire. By him she had another daughter, Albina 
Casey, who, in 1730, married lord Vere Bertie, second son of 
Robert, duke of Ancaster. — 6. The sixth of bishop Taylor's 
grandchildren was Anne, who married colonel John Pacev, 
secretary to the duke of Ormond, and died without children. 

Lady Wray, whose letter to her son-in-law has been so 
frequently quoted, gave up, during her life-time, to her 
daughter Frances Todd, the greater part of the Irish property. 
The children of the above Frances and William Todd were, 
1. Frances, married to Philip Boyer, esq. 2. Joanna, widow 
to Major Hunt of the 12th dragoons, still living in 1819, and, 
at the age of ninety-five, in possession of all her faculties. 
3. Mary Wray, married to Conway Jones, M.D., by whom 
she had, 1. William Todd Jones, of Homra, esq., representative 
for the borough of Lisburn, who died unmarried, at Ross- 
trevor, February 14, 1818, aged 63, in consequence of the 
overturn of a carriage. Of his distinguished talents, and his 
intention, during the latter years of his life, to undertake 
that task which I have now imperfectly accomplished, I have 
already had occasion to take notice, as well as of the 
unfortunate fate which attended those family documents 
which, had they remained in his hands, might have furnished 
from bishop Taylor's own pen, the best picture of his private 
character and history. 2. Edward Jones, esq., solicitor- 
general to the state of North Carolina, where he is now 
living, married, and with a numerous family. 3. Frances, 
married to Joseph Pollock, esq., by whom she had several 
children. 4. Mary, living unmarried. 5. Anne, married to 
lieut.-colonel John de Berniere, 18th regiment of foot; has a 
large family, and resides wath a married daughter, near 
Charleston, in South Carolina. 5. Charlotte, widow of 
lieut.-colonel Henry Wray, of the Bengal establishment. 
6. Catherine, married Robert Pepes Ormsby, esq., and died 
without issue in 1805. 

Besides the above, I have met with several families 
i)i England and Ireland, who claim the honour of being 
descended from Jeremy Taylor. The families of French, 
Storey, and Sncyd, of the counties of Kildare and Cavan, 



358 xoTEs. 

are said to be connected with his line, through his daughter 
Mary; and a similar claim was advanced by the late rev. 
Mr. Keate, rector of Laverton, in Somersetshire, father of 
the rev. Dr. Keate of Eton, on behalf of his mother, who 
was a Lacey, and who is said to have preserved, with 
reverential care, a copy of the 'Ev/avrog, which had been a 
present from the author to her father, who was, as she 
understood, his gmndson. His grandsons, however, Jeremy 
Taylor, apparently, never saw, certainly not at such an age 
as would enable them to appreciate his presents. Nor had 
he any grandson of the name of Lacey. A great-grandson 
of that name he may have had, since the accounts of the 
Marsh family are so imperfect, and a family tradition of this 
kind is authority by no means to be despised : since, how- 
ever inaccurate in some of its details, it must, in all pro- 
bability, have had a foundation in truth. But the above 
tradition seems the only remaining ground for such a belief ; 
at least I have been able to trace no other. A letter on the 
subject was written by Mr. Keate, to the rev. Edward 
Jones, rector of Uppingham, who communicated it to Mr. 
Bonney, and I have myself made several inquiries of the late 
Thomas Keate, esq., of Chelsea Hospital, but without obtain- 
ing any additional information. 

NOTE (OO). 
The watch has been described as being " plain, and 
having only a single case, with a gold dial-plate, the figures 
of which are raised. The hands are of steel, and the maker's 
name is ' Jacobus Markwich, Londini.' Originally it had no 
chain, but went by means of catgut. Bishop Taylor caused 
a second case of copper to be made for it, covered with 
green velvet, and studded with gold. At the bottom, the 
studs are so arranged as to represent a mitre, surrounded by 
this motto, ' Nescitis horam.' " — Bonney, p. 368. 

NOTE (PP). 

" Case of Lord Comuay, Jeremy, Bishop of Down, and Moses 

Hill, Esq. 

" Monday, JMarch 19, 1605-6. 

** In answer to the petition of Moses Hill, esq., it is 
admitted, that the lands of Castlereagh, formerly belonging 



NOTES. 359 

to Francis Hill, osij., who, by tine and other conveyance, 
did settle them on Randal, brother to the said Francis Hill, 
and the heirs male of his body, and, for default of such 
issue, on Edward Hill, the defendant's younoer brother, and 
the heirs male of his body, and for default of such issue, on 
Arthur Hill, the defendant's father, and the heirs male of his 
body, who afterwards settled the same on the defendant, 
subject notwithstanding, and liable to the lease made to the 
petitioner for seven years, to commence from the death of 
the said Arthur Hill. 

'* As to the bishop of Down's receiving- his chief rent, 
due to him, out of part of the premises, the same was done 
by him in his politick capacity, and in right of his bishoprick, 
and was not any waver of his possession that he had of the 
said lands, as one of the said lessees thereof." 

" The House agree with the paper." 

" Saturday, April 14, IfiGG. 

** Whereas, by order of this House, bearing date the 12th 
day of this instant April, the cause between the lord viscount 
Conway, and the lord bishop of Down, members of this 
House, and Moses Hill, esq., a member of the House of 
Commons, was this day appointed to be heard, and the time 
being so far elapsed, that this House could not now proceed 
to the hearing thereof; it is ordered, that the rents of the 
lands of Castlereagh, in the county of Down, and other 
lands now in question, and related to in the petition annexed, 
be sequestered and retained in the hands of the particular 
ter-tenants, until the further order of this House ; and that 
the said rents be, and are hereby sequestered accordingly, 
and the Sheriff of the said county of Down is hereby required 
to see this order put in execution." — Journals of tJie Irish 
House of Lords, vol. i. p. 409. 

This contest, in its progress, brought on a misunder- 
standing between the two Houses of Parliament, in which the 
Commons claimed the right of sitting at the conference. 
{Journals, vol. i. p. 442.) This, on a reference to the lord- 
lieutenant, was disallowed. It does not appear what became 
of the bishop's cause. It probably was not settled when the 
parliament was dissolved. The bishop of Down appears to 
have been on various committees of the Lords. He, however. 



360 NOTES. 

is mentioned two or three times as having obtained leave of 
absence. — For my knowledge of most of these particulars, 
I have to thank the hon. and rev. J. C. Talbot, and the rev. 
the Provost of Trinity College, Dublin. 

NOTE (QQ). 

A frightful story of this kind is told of Edward I. of 
England. I wish it may be only the slander of enemies, 
whom he had grievously injured, and who were not unlikely 
to propagate, or believe, any evil of him. 

" And when he to the death was near, 
The folk that at Kyldi-umy were, 
Come with prisoners that they had tane ; 
And syne to the King are gane, 
And, for to comfort him, they tauld. 
How they the castell to them yauld ; 
And how they till his will were brought 
To do of that whatever he thought ; 
And asked, " what men should of them do ?" — 
Then look'd he angrily them to. 
And said, grinning, " Hang and draw ;" — 
That was wonder of sic saw, 
That he, that to the death was near. 
Should answer upon sic maner, 
Forouten moaning, and mercye. — 
HoAv might he trust on Him to cry 
That dooms soothfastly all things, 
To have mercye for his cryings, 
Of him that, through his felonie. 
Into sic point had no mercye ?" — Barbour. 



NOTE (RR). 

Taylor's appetite for the marvellous may seem to have 
been sufficiently indiscriminate, when, in the same sentence, 
he refers, without the least apparent hesitation, to two 
such monstrous stories as those of the Egyptian Thebes, 
with its houses of alabaster, spotted with gold, and the 
city of Quinsay, with fourscore millions of inhabitants. 
It seems, however, to have been the common practice of 
writers in his time to assume as facts, for the purposes of 
argument, any thing which suited their turn, and for 
which a single authority could be given. I know scarcely 
any instance in which they have appeared to distinguish 



NOTES. 361 

between the weight of different testimonies, or to make any 
difference in their manner of citino^ circumstances alleoed by 
writers of different ages. If a fact were found recorded in 
any ancient historian, they received it witliout question, 
how small soever the means of acquiring information 
which that historian may have possessed, or however great 
the internal evidence of his credulity or mendacity. In the 
present instance it never seems to have occurred to Taylor, 
either that the circumstances related by Clemens and Pom- 
ponius Mela were, in themselves, impossible ; or that both 
these writers were too modern to be much better acquainted 
with the antiquities of Thebes than we ourselves are. Nor 
did he apparently suspect, what is in all probability the 
case, a numerical error of Marco Polo's pen, or the pen of his 
editor, in the monstrous computation which he has given of 
the burghers of a single city. For miUions, it is plain we 
should read myriads, in which case the calculation will be 
perfectly sober and probable. 

NOTE (SS). 

" Two forms inseparable in unity 

Hath Yamen ; even as with hope or fear 
The soul regardeth him, doth he appear. 

For hope and fear, 
At that dread hour, from ominous conscience spring, 

And err not in their bodings Therefore some 

(They who polluted with offences come,) 

Behold him as the king 
Of terrors, black of aspect, red of eye. 
Reflecting back upon the sinful mind. 
Heightened with vengeance and with wrath divine, 

Its own inborn deformity. 
But to the righteous spirit how benign 

His awful coimtenance. 
Where, tempering justice with parental love. 

Goodness and heavenly grace. 
And sweetest mercy shine ! Yet is he still 
Himself the same, one form, one face, one will. 
And these his twofold aspects are but one ; 

And change is none 
In him, for change in Yamen could not not be : — 

The Immutable is he !" — 

Curse o/Kehama, Canto xxiii. 



362 



NOTES. 



NOTE (TT). 



" He [Henry More] had one heroine pupil. The lady 
Conway, formerly Mrs. Anne Finch, was of incomparable 
parts and endowments, (there seems indeed a very great 
mixture of nobleness and ingenuity in the name and blood 
at this day). Between this excellent person and the doctor, 
there was, from first to last, a very high friendship. He 
gives a great character of her in an epistle dedicatory, before 
his " Antidote against Atheism." And I have heard him say, 
that he scarce ever met with any person, man or woman, of 
better natural parts than the lady Conway. She was mis- 
tress, as I must express it, of the highest theories, whether 
of philosophy or religion ; and had, on all accounts, an 
extraordinary value and respect for the doctor." — " And as 
she always wrote a very clear style, so could she argue 
sometimes, or put to him the deepest and noblest queries 
imaginable. 

" This incomparable person (as he was wont to call her) 
had the misfortune to be exercised from her very youth, with 
great pains and disorders in her head. Few have been 
afflicted in so severe and durable a manner as herself was ; 
which yet she bore with admirable Christian patience and 
piety. Though it is not improbable but these so terrible fits, 
which oppressed and clouded her so much, might dispose 
her, by degrees, to a greater inclinableness towards some 
persons, than her own free reason and entire value for the 
doctor would otherwise have permitted, which yet he imputed 
to the height of her virtue, and said, * It was the greatness 
of her mind that betrayed her to it : who, looking upon 
some pretensions of the Quakers to be very excellent, (and 
these imposing upon her judgment,) all the external con- 
siderations of her quality, and the world, availed nothing 
with her, for the hindering of those regards which she shewed 
towards them.'"— L//e of Br. H. More, by R. Ward. 
Lond. 1710, p. 192. 

See also the character of this lady, published under the 
name of Van Helmont, but written by More, p. 203, of the 
same work. 

The notices which follow, arc from the correspondence 



NOTES. 3G3 

of the lady's husband. — There are some among them which, 
with all our pity lor the poor devout sufferer, will almost 
excite a smile. 

" We have had thoughts oftentimes in my wife's sick- 
ness, — perhaps she may be breeding; but the excessive 
increase of her distemper, with many other reasons, so 
interrupted it, that they served only to torment." — " She 
hears that my lord Chichester's former lady had got an 
eaglets stone, esteemed of great virtue in hard labour." — 
" Mr. Hill saw the stone, and hath another, but she prefers it, 
if it may be had. I would willingly be at the charge of an 
express messenger, rather than not get it with care and 
speed." — " My wife had one lent unto her that is much 
bigger, for she thinks the biggest is accounted the best, 
and, in pain, wore it upon her arm a good while." — Raw- 
don Papers, pp. 191, 192, 194. 

" At Ragley I met nothing but the sad condition of my 
wife, ichom I could not see, all the ivhile I tvas there, though I 
stayed a fortnight:' — V. 219. 

" My wife is ill at present. Nobody hath seen her these 
ten days. But I suppose it is much after the usual tnanner:' — 
P. 241. 

This sounds lamentable enough. But though the poor 
lady did not admit her husband to her apartment, she had 
abundance of other and more savoury company. 

*' In my family, all the women about my wife, and most 
of the rest, are Quakers, and Monsieur Van Helmont is the 
governour of that flock, an unpleasing sort of people, silent, 
sullen, and of a resei^ved conversation." — " These and all 
of that society have free access to my wife, but, I believe Dr. 
More, though he was in the house all the last summer, did 
not see her above twice or thrice." — Ihid. p. 254. 

Of Mr. Greatraikes, and the reliance placed in him, 
enough has been already said, though many curious and 
additional circumstances maybe found in the same interestuig 
collection. 

NOTE (UU). 

To understand the allusion of Athanasius, it is necessary 
to observe that, in Habakkuk, ii. 11, the words which we 



364 NOTES. 

render '* the beam out of the timber," are in the LXX. trans- 
lated ** the beetle out of the timber :" xavCaPog sx, ^vXov. On 
which Athanasius thus observes. A/a rourov slrrsv 6 /xsyag 
'7r^o(pYirng KAI KAN0APO2 EK STAOT <I>0ESETAI. ' Oiban, 
ddsX(po/f on 6 Kuvda^og crs^/ ra dzada^ra Cp^oXa^s/, d/iada^ro; dv. 
'OvTug xa/ 6 Xriffrrjg crorg sff^oXaffsv sv raig 7.r,zr6iccig. ' Ors drj sv roj 
(frav^M Tjv oj^u^oXoyj^ffsv dvrog, XaOojg rr^oz/'Tro)/, xai 'xXYjoovrat he avrov 
TO '7:^o(pr}rsu0zv. De eo nimirum locutus est Propheta, Et 
scarabeus e ligno vocem dahit. Nostis, fratres, scarabeum 
ipsum immundum circa immunda negotiosum esse : ita 
quoque et hie latro negotiosus fuit in latrocinando ; in cruce 
tamen confitetur, et in eo expletur quod prophetatum fuit." 
Athanas. cont. Onines Hc^reses. Op. tom, i. p. 1078. Ed. 
Colon. 

Bernard's exhortation against covetousness, is as fol- 
lows : " Utinam in duodecim (sc. clericis) unus hodie 
Petrus ; unus qui reliquerit omnia, unus qui loculis careat, 
inveniatur. Unus, inquit [Christus], ex vobis diabolus est. 
— A duobus itaque bolls diabolus dicitur, et Judas non 
loculum sed loculos habet." — Gaufridi Declamatioues ex 
S. Bernardi Sermonibus Collected. Bernard. Op. tom. ii. 
p. 304. Ed. Mabillone. 

NOTE (VV). 

These lines are adapted by Taylor to his purpose from 
two passages in Prudentius. In the first, the poet is speak- 
ing of the fall and redemption of the world : in the second, 
of the plagues of Egypt. 

" Stragem sed istam non tulit 
Christus, cadentum gentium 
Impune, ne forsan sui 
Patris periret fabrica." — Cat hem. Hymn. xi. 40. 

" Quae tandem poterit lingua retexere 

Laudes, Christe, tuas, qui domitam Pharon^ 

Plagis multimodis cedere prcBsuli 

Cogis Justitice^ vindice dexter a.'''' — lb. Hymn. v. 83. 

NOTE (WW). 

It is not often that Taylor borrows from contemporary 
writers ; yet, from the singularity and aptness of the allusion. 



xoTEs. 3G5 

which was not likely to occur to two unconnected persons, 
I cannot help thinkinc;, that he has drawn the following 
passage of his second Sermon on the ministerial duties from 
the Golden Remains of John Hales, as well as the work of 
Julius Agricola. Hales died in great poverty before the 
Restoration. In his Remains, published first in 1659, the 
same simile occurs, (p. 35,) in almost the same words, and 
the goblin labourers of whom he speaks, are represented at 
work in the vignette to the copper-plate frontispiece. 

" I remember that Agricola, in his book * De Ani- 
malibus Subterraneis,' tells of a certain kind of spirits that 
use to converse in mines, and trouble the poor labourers ; 
they dig metals, they cleanse, they cast, they melt, they 
separate, they join the ore ; but when they are gone, the 
men find just nothing done, not one step of their work set 
forward. So it is in the books and expositions of many 
men ; they study, they argue, they expound, they confute, 
they reprove, they open secrets, and make new discoveries ; 
and when you turn the bottom upwards, up starts nothing ; 
no man is the wiser, no man is instructed, no truth dis- 
covered, no proposition cleared, nothing is altered, but that 
much labour and much time is lost ; and this is manifest in 
nothing more than in books of controversy, and in mystical 
expositions of Scripture, ' Quaerunt quod nusquam est, 
inveniunt tamen.'" — Vol. vi. p. 516. 

NOTE (XX). 

The dedication is to the chief mao-istates and senate of 
Hamburgh, in which, after complimenting them on their 
comparatively indulgent treatment of the Jews, the translator 
proceeds as follows — 

" lUustre tradit nobilissimus autor Sadus venerandae 
antiquitatis exemplum, Abrahamum patriarcham, hospita- 
litatis gloria, celebratum, vix sibi felix faustumque credidisse 
hospitium, nisi externum aliquem, tanquam aliquod presi- 
dium domi, excepisset hospitem, quem omni officiorum 
genere coleret. Aliquando, cum hospitem domi non haberet, 
foris eum quaesiturus campestria petiit. Forte virum 
quemdam, senectutc gravem, itinere fessum, sub arbore 
recumbentem conspicit. 



366 NOTES. 

" Quern comiter exceptum, domum hospitem deducit, et 
omni officio colit. Ci^m coenam appositam Abrahamus et 
familia ejus a precibus auspicarentur, senexmanum ad cibum 
protendit, nuUo religionis aut pietatis auspicio usus. Quo 
viso, Abrahamus eum ita afFatur : ' Mi senex, vix decet 
canitiem tuani sine praevia Numinis veneratione cibum 
sumere.' Ad quae senex : * Ego ignicola sum, istiusmodi 
morum ignarus ; nostri enim majores nullam talem me 
docuere pietatem/ Ad quam vocem horrescens Abra- 
hamus rem sibi cum ignicola profano et a sui Numinis cultu 
alieno esse, eum ^ vestigio et a coena remotum, et sui consortii 
pestem et religionis hostem, domo ejicit. Sed, ecce, Sum- 
mus Deus Abrahamum statim monet : ' Quid agis, Abra- 
hame ? Itane viro fecisse te docuit ? Ego isti seni, quan- 
tumvis in me usque ingrato, et vitam et victum centum 
amplius annos dedi; tu homini nee unam coenam dare, 
unumque eum momentum ferre potes V Qua Divina voce 
monitus, Abrahamus senem ex itinere revocatum domum 
reducit, et tantis officiis, pietate, et ratione colit, ut suo 
exemplo ad veri Numinis cultum eum perduxerit/' — 
G. Gentius Historia Judaica, Res JudcEorum ab eversa Mde 
Hierosoli/mitana ad hac fere Tempora usque completce. Am- 
stelodam. anno 1651. 

" The above work is a translation of the " Shebet Jehuda," 
or " Rod of Judah," of R. Solomon Ben Virga, for an 
account of whom see " Bartolocii Bibliotheca Rabbinica," 
p. 4. p. 575. The Sadus, from whom Gentius professes to 
have taken the story of Abraham, i once supposed to be 
Saadias Gaon, whose agnomen of " Gaon," the " Illustrious," 
agrees with the title which Gentius assigns to him. 

The kindness of Lord Teignmouth has, however, pointed 
out to me the exact narrative, not in a Jewish, but a Persian 
writer, the celebrated poet Saadi, who gives it as related to 
him, he does not say by whom, in the second book of his 
Bostan." With the works of Saadi, Gentius was well 
acquainted, having himself published an edition of his 
Giilistan. Lord T. informs me that Saadi relates of himself, 
in this last work, that, having been taken prisoner by the 
Franks, he was compelled to work with some Jews, on the 
fortifications of Tripoli. And he suggests, therefore, that 



xoTKs. 3G7 

he may have possibly heard the story from them, so that 
it may, after all, have been orioinally derived from a Jewish 
source. A learned Jew also, Mr. J. D'AUemand, professes to 
have a strong impression on his mind that the tradition is to 
be met with, in all its circumstances, in one of the comment- 
aries on Gen. xviii. 1, and on the words Sns*n nnD 3'^» Nini- 
No such commentary, however, has been discovered ; and 
my friend, the reverend Mr. KnatchbuU, Fellow of All 
Souls', whose extensive acquaintance with every branch of 
Oriental learning makes his opinion of the highest value, 
agrees with Mr. Oxlee in giving the credit of the story to 
Saadi. It is remarkable, too, that the " parable" does not occur 
in the first edition of the " Liberty of Prophesying," published 
in 1647, and, therefore, before the work of Gentius appeared ; 
but that it is added in the second edition, which came out 
six years after the " Historica Judaica." It is, therefore, 
most probable that Taylor found the story in Gentius ; and 
that, by the common fate of those who quote at second 
hand, he ascribed to a Jew what his author had taken from 
a Persian. 

The following is a translation of the passage in Saadi, 
which appeared in the Asiatic Miscellancy, Calcutta, 1789; 
corrected, however, in one of its expressions, by the same 
distinguished person, whose obliging assistance I have 
already acknowledged. The reader will, probably, be of 
opinion that, with whomsoever the praise of originality 
rests, the story has gained considerably in spirit and terse- 
ness, in its progress through Gentius, Taylor, and Franklin. 

*' I have heard that once, during a whole week, no tra- 
veller came to the hospitable dwelling of the friend of God, 
whose amiable nature led him to observe it as a rule, not to 
eat in the morning unless some needy person arrived from a 
journey. He went out, and turned his eyes towards every 
place. He viewed the valley on all sides, and, behold, in 
the desert, a solitary man resembling the willow, whose 
head and beard were whitened with the snow of age. To 
encourage him, he called him Friend, and, agreeably to the 
manners of the munificent, gave him an invitation, saying, 
* Oh apple of mine eye, perform an act of courtesy by 
becoming my guest !' He assented, arose, and stepped lor- 



368 NOTES. 

ward readily, for he knew the kind disposition of his host, 
(on whom be peace !) The asociates of Abraham's hos- 
pitable dwelling seated the old man with respect. The table 
was ordered to be spread, and the company placed them- 
selves around. When the assembly began to utter * In the 
name of God !' (or to say grace) and not a word was heard 
to proceed from the old man, Abraham addressed him in 
such words as these, — ' Oh elder, stricken in years ! thou 
appearest not to me in faith and zeal like other aged ones, 
for is it not an obligatoiy law to invoke, at the time of eating 
your daily meal, that divine Providence from whence it is 
derived?' He replied, — ' I practise no right which I have 
not heard from my priest, who worshippeth fire.' The good- 
omened prophet discovered this vitiated old man to be a 
Gueber, and, finding him an alien to the faith, drove him 
away in miserable plight, the polluted being rejected by 
those that are pure. A voice from the glorious and omni- 
potent God was heard, with this severe reprehension, — * Oh 
friend ! I have supported him through a life of an hundred 
years, and thou hast conceived an abhorrence of him all at 
once ! If a man pay adoration to fire, shouldst thou withhold 
the hand of liberality ?' " 

(NOTE YY). 

These schoolmen are quoted by Aquinas, who, however, 
dissents from them. " Quidam dicunt quod primus homo 
non fuit creatus in gratia, sed tamen postmodum gratia fuit 
sibi collata antequam peccasset. Plurimae autem sanctorum 
auctoritates attestantur hominem in statu innocentiee gra- 
tiam habuisse. Sed quod fuerit conditus in gratia, ut alii 
dicunt, videtur requirere ipsa rectitudo prima status, in qua 
Deus hominem fecit : secundum illud Ecclesiast. 7. Deus 
fecit hominem rectum." — S. Thom. Aquinat. Sum)na, 
Pars 1. Qugest. 95. Art. i. p, 180. 

(NOTE ZZ). 

If Mrs. Phillips thought fit to publish his papers, Taylor 
desires, in a postcript, " that they may be consigned into 



xoTis. :3()9 

the hands of my wortliy IVieml, Dr. Wedderhn) nc : lor I do 
not only expose all my sicknesses to his cure, but I submit 
my weaknesses to his censure ; being as confident to find ot 
him charity for what is pardonable as remedy for what is 

curable." *' And, as all that know him reckon him among 

the best physicians, so I know him worthy to be reckoned 
among the best friends." — Vol. xi. p. 335. 

The person thus highly extolled by Taylor, is spoken of 
by Anthony Wood, as one of the physicians in ordinary to 
Charles the First, and a person of vast experience. He was 
originally a professor of philosophy at St. Andrew's ; ** but 
that being too narrow a place for so great a person, he left 
it, travelled into various countries, and became so celebrated 
for his great skill in physic, that he was the chief man of 
this country for many years for that faculty. Afterwards 
he received the honour of knighthood, and was highly 
valued when he was in Holland with the prince, in 1646-7. 
At length, though his infirmities and great age forced him 
to retire from public practice and business, yet his fame 
contracts all the Scotch nation to him, and his noble hos- 
pitality and kindness to all that were learned and virtuous 
made his conversation no less loved than his advice was 
desired." 

NOTE (AAA). 

In stating the cases of intermarriage of kindred, Taylor 
appears to have been chiefly guided, and sometimes misled, 
by Grotius. He is wrong in supposing that very few learned 
men took the affirmative side as to the expediency and 
necessity of a divorce between Henry the Eighth and Queen 
Katharine. Burnet, on the contrary, observes, what is 
apparent from all contemporary history, that whatsoever 
King Henry's secret motives were, in the suit of his divorce, 
he had the constant tradition of the church on his side, and 
that, in all the ages and parts of it, which was carefully 
searched into and fully proved; so that no author, older 
than Cardinal Cajetan, could be found to be set against such 
a current of tradition. 

B B 



The Corrector of the Press requests the Reader to extend some 
kind' indulp-ence to those errors which remain either in Text or 

D 

Notes. Whatever inaccuracies may be detected, — many, very 
many, have been expunged. The labour, incident to this task, is 
greater than will, at first, be imagined. The necessary books of 
reference cannot ahvays be procured ; nor can the press be detained, 
while search is made after the retreat of some one quotation. 
Former editions of Taylor swarm with mistakes ; the punctuation 
and general state of the text are very defective : verse is printed 
without any regard to metre, and prose often assumes the appear- 
ance of verse. These difficulties have been augmented by the 
desultory manner in which Bishop Taylor adduces his extracts ; 
sometimes he quotes from memory ; sometimes contents himself 
with adding the bare 7iame of the author, — as Plutarch, Seneca, 
&c. ; sometimes omits the very name ; and often assigns the senti- 
ment to a wrong author. — That some effort has been made to 
remedy these defects, will appear from the numerous references, 
which, in the following volumes, the Corrector of the Press has 
made to the volume and page of modern editions of the classics. — 
The candid reader is requested to bear in mind, that these correc- 
tions were made at such intervals, as could be spared from very 
laborious professional pursuits. 

Bishop Taylor's very lax mode of referring to classical authors 
is specified, more than once, in the latter volumes of this edition. 
To the instances there adduced, and to others which the classical 
reader will discover, may be added the two following : 1 . Arrian, 
ridiculing those who affect the stiff' appearance and gait of philo- 
sophers, contemptuously asks, " Why do you strut about, as if 

you had swallowed a spit?'' T/ ohv vifMv o/Si^ia-Koy KuruTrtcov TTi^iTTxruc ; 

which Bishop Taylor (vol. v. p. 518) renders, " We walk by the 
obelisk, and meditate in piazzas." — 2. " Some nations used to eat 
the bodies of their friends (vol. iv. p. 567) : " Bishop Taylor thus 
assigns to the relations the office, which Cicero (to whom he alludes) 
describes as performed by dogs. (Tusc. Q. i. 45.) 

J. R. PITMAN. 



1 N D E X. 



Ahraham and the idolati'ous traveller, 
origin of the storv of, 209, 210, 245, 
2(J8. 

Advent (Second) of Christ, sublime 
description of, by Bishop Taylor, 
155,150. Strong resemblance between 
it and a passage in 'Mr. Southey's 
' Curse of Kehama,' 155 — 3G1. 

All Souls'' College (Oxford), Jeremy 
Taylor recommended to the fello^vs 
of, for a vacant fellowship, by Arch- 
bishop Laud, 12, 14, 308. Who 
finally nominates him a fellow, by 
virtue of his visitorial powers, 13, 
14. Copy of the nomination, 309. 

Allegorizing of the Fathers, remarks 
on, 100, 101. Singular specimens 
of, 304. 

Ancestors of Bishop Taylor, notices of, 

4, 306. 

' Apology for Authorized and Set 

Forms of Liturgy.,'' published by 

Bishop Taylor, 30. 
Aquinas (Thomas), Specimen of the 

scholastic subtleties of, 334 — 336, 

368. 
Armorial Bearings of Bishop Taylor, 

5, 0, 300. 

'■ Art'ijic'ial Handsomeness.,'' the Treatise 
on, usually ascribed to Jeremy Tay- 
lor, proved not to be written by 
him, 00 — 02. Was probably writ- 
ten by IMrs. Catherine Philips, 62. 
Extracts from this treatise, 320 — 
331. 



Bridges (Mrs. Joanna), a natural 
daughter of Prince (afterwards King) 
Charles I., married to Jeremy Tay- 
lor, 34. 



Carbery (Sir Richard Vaughan, Earl 
of), notice of, 35, and of his family, 
30, 318, ])atroni'/es Jeremy Tavlor, 
35. 



Carbery (Fi-ances, first Countess of), 
notice of, 35. 

Carbery (Alice, second Countess of), 
notice of, 35. 

Charles I. (King) joined by Jeremy 
Taylor, 19. Commands him to write 
his ' Episcopacy Asserted,' ibid. 
Issues a mandate for conferring the 
degree of D.D. on him, ibid. Re- 
monstrance of the heads of houses 
against the ninnerous degrees order- 
ed by the king to be conferred, 19, 
311. A natural daughter of the 
king (when Prince of M'ales) mar- 
ried by Jeremy Taylor, 34. Taylor's 
last interview with the king, 25. 
Description of the watch given to 
him by the king, 358. 

' Chr'istian Consolations.,^ analysis of, 
with remark?;, 150 — 159. 

Clergy., notice of Bishop Taylor's Rules 
and Advices to, 294. 

Conjirmation., analysis of Bishop Tay- 
lor's discourse on, with extracts and 
remarks, 250—200. 

Conscience^ remarks on, 275, 270. 

' Contemplations on the State of Man.,'' 
remarks on the style aiul comjiosi- 
tion of, with extracts, 152 — 150. 
On the appetite for the marveUous 
displayed in this treatise, 300. 

Contracts., observations on the fulfil- 
ment of, 277. 

Co?i?^ay (Edward, Earl of,) patronizes 
and provides foi Jeremy Tavlor, 80, 
83, 330—338. 

Cromwell (Oliver), duplicity of his 
conduct towards the orthodox epis- 
copal clergy, 325. AVhy he oppres- 
sed them, 79, 80. 

D 

Z)air«/>o>-,'.( John, alias Francis a Sancta 
Clara), biographical notice of, 14 — 
16. Remarks on Jeremy Taylor's 
friendship for him, 15. Archbishop 
Laud's account of his interview with 
him, 31(h 

' D'lssuasivc from Popery.,'' published 
by Bishop Taylor, 118. Origin of, 



372 



INDEX. 



and motives to his undertaking this 
work, 118 — 12;^. Analysis of it, 
with extracts and remarks, 243 — 
256. 

Domestic Happiness^ beautiful reflec- 
tions of Jeremy Taylor on, C4, C5. 

Drummond (Rev. Dr. Hay), verses of, 
on Dr. Rowland Taylor, 307. 

' Ductor Dubitanthim^'' published by 
Jeremy Taylor, 9C. Its compara- 
tive iinpopuiarity accounted for, 96. 
Motives which probably induced him 
to undertake this treatise, 269 — 
271. Outline of its plan and con- 
tents, with extracts and remarks, 
272 — 292. Observations on its 
style, 292, 293. 



' Episcopacy Asserted^'' this tract writ- 
ten by Jeremy Taylor at the request 
of King Charles I., 19. Analysis of 
it, with extracts and remarks, 181 
— 189. 

Epitaph of Bishop Nicholson, 314. Of 
Griffin Lloyd, ibid. Of Mr. Justice 
Powell, 315. 

Evelyn (John, Esq.) patronizes Jeremy 
Taylor, 37, 39, 319, 322. Letters 
of, to Taylor, 318—322,324. Let- 
ters to Evelyn by Bishop Taylor, 44, 
47, 51, 53, 55, 56, 62, 66,' 67, 68, 
77, 81, 84, 87, 92, 94, 109. Pro- 
cures his liberation from the Tower, 
77, 333. Remarks on the termi- 
nation of their correspondence, 
110. 



Felicity of the Saints, Bishop Taylor's 
sentiments on, 69 — 71- Remarks 
thereon, 73. 

Fincli (Francis, Esq.), biographical 
notice of, 232. 

Finch (Ladv Anne), biographical no- 
tice of, 156, 372, 373. 

Francis a Sanctd Clara. See Daven- 
port (John). 

Friendship^ analysis of Bishop Taylor's 
treatise on, with extracts and re- 
marks, 261 — 265. 



G 



GhostSy account of supposed appear- 
ances of. 111, 112, 343, 352. 

* Golden Grove,'' analysis of, with re- 

marks, 294—296. 

* Great Exemplar.' See ' Life of 

Christ.' 



Gunpowder Treason, remarks on 
Bishop Taylor's sennon on, 162 — 
169. 



II 



Harrison (Edward, son-in-law of 
Bishop Taylor), 125, 355. Notices 
of his children, Michael Harrison, 
355. Jeremiah Taylor Harrison, 
366. Francis Harrison, ibid. Marsh 
Harrison, ibid. Mary Harrison, and 
her descendants, 356, 357. 

Hatton (Christopher, Esq.), patronizes 
Jeremy Taylor, 21. Remarks on 
his character, 21, 312. 

' Holy Living,'' analysis of Bishop 
Taylor's treatise on, 142 — 146. Re- 
marks on some of the prayers con- 
tained in it, 146, 147- Five rules 
for reading this treatise to advan- 
tage, 140, 141. 

' Holy Dying,'' extracts from Bishop 
Taylor's dedication of, 147 — 149. 
Observations on its style, 151, 152. 

Hunter (David), account of the sup- 
posed appearance of a ghost to. 111, 
344 — 348. 

Hymns of Bishop Taylor, specimens 
of, with remarks, 296. 



Immortality of the Soul, why not in- 
sisted upon by St. Paul, in his dis- 
course to the Athenians, 71' 

Intermarriages of kindred, mistake of 
Bishop Taylor concerning, corrected, 
369, 370. 

Ireland, miserable state of, in 1664, 
118—121. 

Jeanes, (Henry), biographical notice 
of, 74. Account of his controversy 
with Jeremy Taylor, on the subject 
of Original Sin, 74, 75- 

Jones ("V\''illiam Todd, Esq.), biogra- 
phical notice of, 2, 357- TS^otice of 
his collections for a Life of Bishop 
Taylor, 3. 



Langsdale{V\\aihe), married to Jeremy 
Taylor, 19. Her children, ibid. 

Langsdale (Dr.), Letter of Bishop 
Taylor to, 22. 

Za7<rf( William, Archbishop of Canter- 
bury) patronizes Jeremy Taylor, 12, 
14. Recommends him to be cliosen 
Fellow of All Souls' College, Oxford, 
12, 14, 308. And finally nominates 
him, as the A^isitor of that CoUege, 



I N D 



373 



13. Copy of the Archbishop's nomi- 
nation, 309. Laud's account of his 
inter\iews with Friar John Daven- 
port, 310. 

Latvs (Human), Observations on the 
Interpretation of, 283 — 2J)1. 

Letters from Bishop Taylor to Dr. 
Langsdale, 22. To John Evelyn, 
see Evelyn. To Bisliop Warner, 
43. To Dr. Sheldon, 49, 50. To 
Professor Stearne, 91 , 92, Of Arch- 
bishop Laud, 308. Of John Evelyn 
to Bishop Taylor, see Evelyii. And 
to the Lieutenant of the Tower in 
behalf of Taylor, 333. 

' Liberty of Prophesying^'* published 
by Jeremy Taylor, 27. Remarks 
thereon, 28. This treatise attacked 
by Samuel Rutherford, 29, 31?. 
Bishop Taylor's motives in writing 
it vindicated from the unjust cen- 
sures of Mr. Orme,30 — 32. Analysis 
of this treatise, with extracts and 
remarks, 201 — 218. 

' Life of Christy or the Great Exem- 
plar^'' publication of, 36, 37. Re- 
marks on its triple dedications, ibid. 
Remarks on its design, plan, and 
execution, 130 — 137- It is not a 
translation from the Latin Harmony 
of Ludolphus de Saxonia, 139. On 
its style, 140. 

Liturgy^ Bishop Taylor's Apology for 
Authorized and Set Forms of, pub- 
lished, 36. Analysis of it, with ex- 
tracts and remarks, 189. 

L^^/6?(Griffin, Esq.), a pupil of Bishops 
Taylor and Nicholson, 26. Epitaph 
on, 314. 

Ludolphus de Saxonia^ notice of the 
Harmony of, 139. 



M 



Marsh (Dr. Francis, Archbishop of 
Dublin), marries a daughter of 
Bishop Taylor, 124. Notice of 
some of his descendants, 354. 

Marsh (Rev. Digby), character of, 
354, 355. 

Mather (Increase), animadversions of, 
on Bishop Taylor's propounding 
certain questions to be asked of a 
supposed ghost, 350. Remarks 
thereon, 351, 352. 

Milton, diatribe of, against the ene- 
mies of liberty of conscience, 316. 

Ministerial Duty and Doctrine, re- 
marks on I'isbop Taylor's two dis- 
courses on, 175. A passage in them 
probably draAvn from the ' Golden 



Remains' of John Hales, 365. No- 
tice of his •• Divine Institution and 
Necessity of the Office Ministerial,' 
293. And of his ' Rules and Advi- 
ces to the Clergy,' 294. 



N 



Nicholson (William, Bishop of Glou- 
cester,) keeps school jointly with 
Jeremy Taylor, 26. Biographical 
notice of him, 313, 314. Bishop 
Bull's epitaph on him, 314. 



Offices, remarks on Bishop Taylor's 

collection of, 297- 
Original Sin, Bishop Taylor's obser- 

vations on, analyzed, with remarks, 

223,231. 
Orme (Mr.), censures of, on Bishop 

Taylor's ' Liberty of Proj)hesying,' 

examined and refuted, 28, 30. 



Perfectionists, notice of the sect of, 
75, 88, 337, 338. 

Philips (Mrs. Catharine), the probable 
author of the treatise on *• Artificial 
Handsomeness,' 62. Extracts from 
it, 327—331. Notice of her, 76. 

Piers or Pierce (Thomas), biographi- 
cal notice of, 339. 

Powell (Sir John) a pupil of Bishops 
Taylor and Nicholson, 26. His 
Epitaph, 315. 

Preachers, remarks on the defective 
style and composition of, in the time 
of Bishop Taylor, 160. 

Presbyterians, disingenuous conduct 
of, at the restoration, exposed, 
341—343. 

R 

' Peal Presence of Christ in the Eucha- 
rist,'' analvsis of this treatise of 
Bishop Taylor's, 231—240. Obser- 
vations on its style, 241, 242. 

Repentance, analysis of Bishop Tay- 
lor's treatise on the doctrine of, with 
extracts and remarks, 218, 

Jiicst (Doctor George, afterwards 
Bishop of Droniore), invited to Ire- 
land by Bishop Taylor, 1 10. Whose 
funeral sermon ho ])reaches, 124. 

litithcrford, (Sanuu'l), attacks Jeremy 
Taylor's ' Liberty of Prophesying,' 
29. Notice of bis extraordinary de- 
fence of persecution, 317- 



374 



I N D E X 



Sermons^ remarks on the defective 
style aud composition of, prevalent 
in the time of Bishop Taylor, ICO, 
IGl. Critical remarks on his sermon 
on the Gunpowder Treason, 1C2, 
IGO. On his sermons on the Minis- 
ter's Duty in Life and Doctrine, 



180. And on his other ser- 



mons, IG4 — 174. 
Sizars, remarks on the situation of, at 

Cambridi?e, 7-, 8. 
Stearne (Di*. Jolni), liCtter of Dr. 

Taylor to, 91. Appointed a Fellow 

of Trinity College, Dublin, 99. 



Taverner (Francis), account of the 
supposed appearance of an apparition 
to, ill, :343_348. 

Taylor (Jeremy), Biographical notices 
of the ancestors of, 4, 306. The fa- 
mily arms of, 5, C, 30C. Baptismal 
register of his family, 305. His 
birth, 4, 305. His early education, 
7, 9. Admitted a sizar at Cains 
College, Cambridge, 7, 307- Re- 
marks on his studies there, 8, 9. 
Takes holy orders, 11. Preaches at 
St. Paul's, ibid. And at Lambeth, 
before Archbishop Laud, who patro- 
nizes him, ibid. Is admitted Master 
of Arts of University College, Ox- 
ford, 12, 13. Is recommended by 
Archbishop Laud to be chosen Fellow 
of All Souls' College, 12, 14, 308. 
But Avas nominated by the Arch- 
bishop, as Visitor of the College, 
13, 14, 309, and admitted Fellow, 
310. Appointed Rector of Upping- 
ham, 14. Remarks on his acquaint- 
ance M'ith Francis a Sancta Clara 
(John Davenport), 14, IG. Marries 
Phcebe Langsdale, 19. His children 
by her, ibid. M^rites his ' Episco- 
pacy Asserted,' at the request of 
King Charles I., ibid ; by whose 
mandate he is created D.D., ibid. 
Jeremy Taylor ejected from his rec- 
tory by the Presbyterians, 20. Pa- 
tronized by Christopher Hatt(m,Esq., 
21. His jjecuniary difficulties during 
the civil wars,21,311. Is taken pri- 
soner by the parliamentarv troops in 
in Wales, 23. Publishes 'his ' Psal- 
ter of David, with Titles and Col- 
lects,' 14, 312. Is released from 
captivity, 25. Takes leave of King 
Charles I., ibid. Keeps a school for 
his support, with William Nichol- 



son (afterwards bishop of Glouces- 
ter), and William Wyat, 26, 313. 
AVrites a dedication to AVyat's ' New 
and Easy Institution of Grammar,' 
26, 27. Publishes his ' Liberty of 
Prophes\ing,' 27, 28; which is at- 
tacked bv Samuel Rutherford, 25, 
317, 318. Vindication of Taylor 
from the unjust censures of Mr. 
Onne, 30 — 32. Marriage of Jeremy 
Taylor with a natural daiighter of 
Prince Charles (afterwards King 
Cliarles I.), 34. He is patronized 
by the Earl of Carbery, 35. Pub- 
lishes the ' Apology for Authorized 
and Set Forms of Liturgy,' 36 ; 
and his ' Life of Christ,' ibid. Pub- 
lishes Sermons and other Tracts, 37. 
Is a second time imprisoned, 39 ; 
and, it should seem, a third time, 
39, 322 — 324. Remarks on this im- 
prisonment, 41. Completes his Ser- 
mons, and publishes his ' Unum 
Neccessarium,' or Treatise on Re- 
pentance ; 41, which is attacked by 
various persons, 41, 42. His Letter 
to Bishop Warner, 43, 44. Is libe- 
rated from prison, 44 ; and visits 
London, 50, 322. Returns to Wales, 
53; and publishes his ' Deus Justifi- 
catus,' ibid. The Treatise on ' Arti- 
cial Handsomeness' not written by 
Taylor, 62. Reflections of Dr. 
Taylor on the death of two of his 
children, 63. Revisits London, and 
shews the manuscript of his ' Ductor 
Dubitantium' to 5lr. Evelyn, 76, 
331. Account of Dr. Taylor's Con- 
troversy with Henry Jeanes on the 
doctrine of Original Sin, 7^. 75. 
Republishes several of his former 
pieces, Avith the addition of an Essay 
on Friendship, 76. Is imprisoned 
in the Tower of London, 77 ; hut li- 
berated through the influence of 
Evelyn, ibid. 333, 334. Consoles 
Evelyn on the death of tAVO sons, 
77 — 79. Is j)atronized and provided 
for by EdAvard, Earl of Conway, 80, 
326—328. Settles in Ireland, 83; 
where he is falsely denounced to the 
Privy Council, 86, 328 ; and sum- 
moned to Dublin, 90, 340. Cahim- 
niated, as being disposed to return 
to popery, 90. Revisits London, 
and signs a Declaration of Loyalty 
to Cliarles II., 96. Publishes the 
' Ductor Dubitantium,' ibid, and 
some other pieces, 97. Nominated 
Bishop of Down and Connor, 98. 
Elected Vice-chancellor of the Uni- 
versitv of Dublin, ibid. His labours 



INDEX. 



X 



there, 99 ; and in his diocese, iZiir/. 
Remarks on the ecilesiastieal mea- 
sures adopted in 1 rehmd, iZ</f/. Con- 
secration of Bishop TayU)r, lOIi. 
The administration of the see of 
Dromore confided to him, ibid. Zea- 
lous efi'orts of Taylor to reconcile 
the Covenanters, bid. His success 
in hi'intijing over to the Cluirch the 
nobility and f!,entry of the three dio- 
ceses, 104. Remarks on his conduct 
at this crisis, and on his Sermon 
l)efore the Irish Parliament, 105, 
108. Termination of his friendship 
with I^velyn, 110. JMunificence of 
Bishop Taylor and his Lady to the 
Cathedral Church of Dromore, 110, 
343. Publislies his ' ^'^ia Intelligen- 
tia%' also his Xotcrt; TiXna/nxh., a 
Discourse on Confirmation, 118; and 
his '• Dissuasive from Popery,' ibid. 
Personal and domestic afflictions of 
Bishop Taylor, 123, 352, 353. His 
death, 124. Description of his per- 
son, 125, 12G. Notices of some of 
his descendants, 124, 125. His amia- 
ble character, 120, 127- His muni- 
ficent charity, 128. Description of 
the Avatch given by Charles I. to 
Bishop Taylor, 358. Notice of a 
law-suit in which Bishop Taylor 
was engaged towards the close of 
his life, 128, 358. Classification of 
his works, 129. Analysis of his prac- 
tical works, with remarks, 130 — 
181. Of his theological works, 181— 
260. Of his casuistical works, 260 — 
293 ; and of his devotional works, 
293—298. General estimate of the 
literarv character of Bishop Taylor, 
298,-303. 
Taylor (Dr. Rowland), a martyr for 
tlie Protestant religion, biographical 
notices of, 4 — 6, 306. Poetical in- 
scription to his memory, 307. His 
character, 6. 



Tat/lor (Charles, third son of Bishop 
Taylor), notii-e of, 123, 

Taiilur (.loanna. (huighter of Bishop 
Taylor), notices of, and of lier de- 
scendants, 355, 358. 

Tliorndikc (Ilerl)ert), notice of, 339. 

Transubstantiatioii., the Roniisli doc- 
trine of, not found in Scripture, 234. 
"When introduced by the Koniish 
church as an article of faith, 240. 



U 



' Uniim Necessariiim ,•' or, Treatise 
on Repentance, publication of, 41. 
It is attacked by various persons, 42. 
Correspondence of Jeremy Taylor 
on this subject, 43, 44. Analysis of 
this treatise, with extracts and re- 
marks, 218. 

Uppingham., rectory of, conferred on 
Jeremy Taylor, 14. Sequestered 
from him by the Presl)yterians, 20 ; 
without any part of the emoluments 
being given to him, 21. 

Vanghan (Sir Richard), See Carbery. 

' Via IntelliqenticB.,'' a Sermon, ptib- 
Hshed by Bishop Taylor, 113. Re- 
marks thereon, with extracts, 113 — 
118. 

Warner (John, Bishop of Rochester), 
correspondence of Jeremy Taylor 
with, on the subject of his ' Unum 
Necessarium,' 43, 44. 

Watch given by King Charles I. to 
Bishop Taylor, description of, 126, 
358. 

Wedderburne.^ (Dr.), eulogized by 
Taylor, 359. Biographical notice 
of, ibid. 

' Worthy CommunicanV of Bishop 
Taylor, notice of, 297- 

Wyat (William) keeps school jointly 
with Bishop Taylor, 26; who writes 
a Dedication to his ' New and Easy 
Institution of Latin Grannuar,' 26, 
27. Biographical notice of him, 314. 



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