LONDON'S DOVE: OR A Memorial of the life and death of Master Robert Dove, Citizen and Marchant-Taylor of LONDON, and of his several Almesdeeds and large bounty to the poor, in his life time. He departed this life, on Saturday the 2. day of this instant month of Mar, 1612.  
LONDON Printed by Thomas Creed, for joseph Hunt, and are to be sold at his house in Bedlam, near Moore-field Gate. 1612.   

TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL SIR JOHN SWINNERTON KNIGHT, ONE of the Aldermen of the honourable City of London.  
Having drawn certain particular remembrances, of the bounty and charitable Almsdeeds of Master Robert Dove, lately deceased (done all for the most part in his life time.) And they being digested into a volume (although little for quantity, yet not unworthy to be committed to memory) I thought they could not be better bestowed then upon such as held commerce with that company, or were Heads of that body, whereof he continued a long time a worthy member.  
Amongst which, I have selected you from a number of others, and am bold to present this little labour unto you, as a brother of that Society, and one that can well judge both of the Relation, and the truth thereof.  
The chief and farthest point that my intention seeks to arrive at in this, is but to leave to Posterity a deserved Testimony, and commemoration of his s●●erall liberalities, to the intent that the hand of M●rcy which Heaven (in him) hath stretched forth over distressed people, being duly considered: Others (to whom God hath plentifully given his blessings) may be stirred up to trace him in the like steps of true Cha●i●ie, and be encouraged to look into their own Souls betimes, and to imitate him in the works of piety.  
It is my Love that makes tender of this unto you, which I pray receive with such good acceptation: As with my best affection, it comes and is bestowed upon you: Thus humbly referring myself to your censure, I rest  
Devoted unto your worship, Anthe: Nyxon.   

LONDON'S DOVE, OR THE MIRROR OF MERCHANT-TAYLORS'.  
CAlling to mind the final end of man's Creation, (which is) to glorify GOD, and to edify one an other in the ways of true Piety; I thought it a duty, as well in respect of the one, as in regard of the other; to publish this care & wonderful example of the virtuous life, & Christian death of M. Robert Dove; Citizen & Marchant-Taylor of London: who whilst he lived, was a Mirror of Charity, and now being dead, is a true pattern of perfect Christianity; But how I may be bold to lay colours of commendation, (though never so fresh, true, and lively) on the picture of his Bounty; drawn forth by the cunning hand of his worthy deeds, (or at least, the deeds of his hand, upon the several Tables of needy persons; I am in doubt, since by these colours of mine, his glorious Picture may be much obscured, that of itself is so fair and beautiful, as the hearts of all admiring it; Their Pens in private, and Tongues in public, are busied to write in short, and speak at large, of the worthiness of the same.  
Notwithstanding, It being such▪ that extracteth from the Tongues of every one, this Confession: Huic similem non vidi; I have not seen any like to this man: And more also: 
Nulla fere●t similem Secla futura tibi.  
The Age to come (its like to be)  
Will never bring the like to thee.   
And such being the condition of every good work of bounty (as almsdeeds, or such like) that it leaves a perpetual Impression behind, that Posterity may see in succeeding times, the venerable footsteps of such, as have trodden the paths of precedency in true Love, and Charity: Let us now behold, what lively Prints this happy man made (even in his life time) by the sundry stamps of his manifold bounties; That the times present, & future Ages, may both imitate and admire the same. This Phrase of Scripture may be duly attributed unto him, 
〈◊〉. 3.  Many have done virtuously and bountifully, but thou surmountest them all: What Tree may more justly make compare with the T●ee of this man's blessed life, 
〈…〉.  then that which like an Heavenly plant, growing up in an earthly soil, beareth twelve manner of Fruits, even t●elue-times monthly in the year. The very Leaves being for Medicine, as the Fruit is for meat; For he in good works was so fruitful, that he spread-foorth his branches, with their fruits, 
〈…〉  after several manners, unto thirteen sorts of persons: 
〈◊〉- men.  Feeding them twelve times also monthly in the year: that is, All the year long, with meat & medicine; As which such Fruit & L●aues, as his Tree afforded. Preserving the sound in health, ridding the diseased of infirmities, and so continuing both in life. By which they cease not with cheerfulness, to lift up this voice to Heaven: Oh how happy Creatures are we, that ever he was borne? And thrice blessed he, that ever he so lived, to help (in number,) more distressed members of the Mystical body of CHRIST, then were the members of his own natural body.  
To speak of his godly life, it was such, as gained the rare commendation of all that knew him, aswell for his wisdom, As for his honesty, gentleness, and affability: And above all, for his fervent zeal which he bore unto God's word: For his whole heart was bend to seek the Lord, His legs were always willing and ready (so long as they had ability to perform their duty, to carry his aged body to frequent Sermons, and hear divine service: His whole delight was to be conversant in the Scriptures, and to meditate upon them day and night. Insomuch (as while his sight served) he was seldom or never found without a bible or some other good book in his hands: And when that failed him, he would spend his Time in conferring, talking, and reasoning of the word of God, and of Religion, and especially of places and points that did most concern his latter end, and mortality: Ask what is the Sense of this place? what of that? How may this place be expounded, How that? What observe you of this point, and what of that? So that he seemed to be as it were ravished with the same Spirit that David was, when he said, The Zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.  
Oh happy Dove, whose soul is a sacrifice to God, and in whose flames so many poor men's prayers are flown up to heaven.  
Blessed mayst thou be, as by beholding thyself to be so graced of thy God, as by seeing thy sins, to cleave unto the pavement through humility: and by bestowing thine Alms, to reach unto the firmament through thy liberality, and bounty, hearing the words of that message once brought to Cornelius his ear, sounding a fresh in thine heart. 
Acts. 10.  Thine Alms have ●scen●ed before the face of God. Ascending up, to be rewarded, and yet abiding below to be renowned. Ascending up, That God may show his faithfulness in performing no less then he hath promised in rewarding more ten thousand sold then is deserved: And yet abiding below to be renowned. That thy works staying here amongst men, God may thereby be glorified, who is in heaven amidst his Angels. Good works here outwardly performed, declare and show forth God's great graces, wherewith his Saints on earth are from heaven inwardly beautified. Every good work of theirs sweetly spiced with faith, abiding with the distressed members of afflicted jesus, 
Phil. 4.18.  being as a comfortable ball of Balm unto them: but ascending up unto God, comes to be in his Nostrils: the very odour that smelleth sweet. It were to be wished, that his good mind might be a motive to men of greater Revenues and ability to imitate the like deeds of charity, and that the saying of jerom (verified in his days) touching the piety of people, may not be alluded to our Time. Parsinebecillior vincit robustiorem. The weaker part doth overtop the stronger. Meaning in relieving the poor, and yielding succour to the distressed.  

Of 13. aged men, to whom he gives yearly 20. nobles a piece, and at the end of every three year, to each man a gown.  
WHat the Monuments are of his bounty and liberality, the tongues and prayers of poor and aged men do iest●fie, (whereby there are some of them almost become infants again,) & do declare, and the meat in their mouths, and clothes to their backs do actually testify unto the eye, that which their words do openly give testimony of unto the ear. They that before had taken up this Lamentation, We are aged, succourless, & fallen into distress and misery, may now cease their dolorous complainings, and for the comfort they receive by their bountiful Benefactor, they may turn it into this sweeter song of joy, Lo: It is not with us as it hath been: We that were afflicted, are now comforted, our heavenly father hath cast a loving look upon us, and hath sent us, a second father better than our first father unto us. Oh what greatness is this? vera magnitudo, Even very greatness indeed: Tueri infirmos: Thus to defend the weakest; Thus to maintain the poorest; This is the very ablenesses, and the most true power a man can have given of God, Eos defendere qui nihil possunt: To defend them from the rigour of distress & extremity, who are least able to resist necessity. Oh goodness truly good, & surely great in him, Benefacere sine merito remunerationis▪ & absque spe omni 〈◊〉 ributionis. To do good, (yea and so much good, without all desert of theirs that might call for reward at his hands, or without hope of his, to receive recompense at theirs. But his hearts love to God (which being true love, is the very desire, & delight in doing his commandments) constrained and urged him (oh blessed constraint & happy violence) to do all the good he hath done. This virtuous man knowing these poor aged and impotent men, to be least able to help themselves, dealt with them, as jacob did with Ephraim, of whom we read thus: That when joseph had set his two sons, Manassah, 
Gen. 48.  and Ep●raim, the elder on his right hand, and the younger on his left, for his father to lay his right-hand on the head of the elder, and give him the principal blessing, jacob, beyond the expectation of joseph, crossed his Arms, laying his right hand on the younger, and his left hand on the elder, being led thereunto by a foresight of things to come, that was clearer and better, than was his insight into any thing present.  
So this most godly father, being presented by the world, both with rich and poor, The rich at the right hand, (even his able friends and kindred) and the poor at the left (even aged persons, and impotent widows) he beyond the expectation (because beside the custom of the world) crossed his arms (as it were) of ability laying his right hand of bounteous liberality on the poor, and giving them his principal blessing. But his left hand of gratuity, on his well able kindred, and friends: the foresight of his Soul (illuminated by divine inspiration) being clearer to behold future things, than were the eyes of his human reason to behold things present. Beholding even for the very present, this honourable title, Pater pauperum, miserorum adiutor, The father of the poor, and the helper of men miserable: Engraven on God's fatherly helping hands, as well as Dominus Dominantium, & Rex R●gum, The Lord of Lords, and King of Kings, 
Reu. 19.16.  engraven on his powerful thigh. And beholding also for the which is to come, The day of the Lord, called Magnus ille dies, That great day. And the Lord himself at that day pronouncing the sentence of his judgement on all, according to their works of mercy, or obduracy, towards his poor distressed members, giving or denying them the joys of heaven, as they have given or denied the comforts of this earth, unto the indigent and needy. Taking all good or evil, as done unto himself.  
Thus he having showed his bounty and charitable Liberality unto his impotent, and aged creatures, Worms and no men; 
Psal. 22.6.  even the children of men that are but Worms. 
job. 25.6.  They to clear themselves of unthankfulness towards their good God, for him do acknowledge his wonderful rich gift and worthy Talon, which he gave in his life time, into the hands of his Company, to endure for ever; Namely, to each of them, (being 13. in number,) the yearly pension of six pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence, and to every one of them a several Gown, at every three years end. Bringing not only means to maintain their bodies by the staff of his Bread, 
Chap. 31. 20  but their Loins also (as job speaketh,) to be warmed with the Fleeces of his Sheep.   

Of his Charity to threescore poor Widows, in the Parish of Saint Buttolphes without Algate, and to six men, who have every three years several Cloaks, and four Nobles a ●eere for ever.  
AMongst many others whom he hath relieved, let it not be forgotten what he hath done to p●●re distressed widows: who having received an Annual portion from this their godly Benefactor, do continue their thankfulness in that remembrance. Their need succoured, crieth every hour in their hearts, to put them in mind of their duty, and their relief urgeth them not to be unthankful for so great a ben●fite. They from whom God had taken the help of their Husbands, being left in care and sorrow for their loss, and in distress for want of maintenance, were often enforced with tears to lament their miserable estate, forsaken of Friends, and through poverty despised of kindred. They had no ability to help themselves & old age denied them strength of body, to labour for their living.  
In this extremity they were comfortless, saving in the hope they had of Heaven, and Celestial joys, often wishing it would please God by ending their lives, to give end to their miseries But as the Lord never forsaketh such as trust in him. So in his good time, he provided means for their succour, stirring up the heart of this his dear Servant, to regard them with compassionate affection; and to stretch out his merciful hands, to succour their bodies beaten with sorrow. God blessed them by his earthly gifts, whom he had blessed by his heavenly Graces; By his hands hath the Lord wiped away their tears, and breathed new life into their hearts laden with griefs.  
The love of jonathan never more appeared to his dear friend David then his love hath been manifested to CHRIST'S poor members; wherefore it may be said of him, that the candle of his Faith was not hid under a Bushel, but hath burned most bright, to the good example of others. He like a true Steward, hath performed his duty; He hath nourished Children; He hath lodged the harbourless; He hath given comfort to the succourless; He hath ministered to them that were in adversity; and continually given to every good work. It resteth now that these released persons do yield continual praise to GOD, for so gracious a Benefactor; & daily pray that the number may be increased, that the poor may be respected of those that are honoured in the Gates, and the cry of the needy may cease in the streets. And to the end that this charitable deed may not be thought unworthily bestowed upon them who are now relieved, that before were distressed, It is expedient they should so behave themselves in their actions, as God thereby may be glorified, & others by their example, brought from vice to virtue. Their minds that before were clogged with care, wanting the which was necessary; by which they were made unapt, either in outward action, or inward thought, to serve their God; is now freed from that heavy burden, by the works of this reverend citizen. So as they have now no let, but as the Psalmist saith, To set their delight in the Law of the Lord, & to exercise themselves therein all the days of their life.  
Besides his yearly Pension allowed to these threescore Widows, which is, vi. s. viii. d. per annum, forever: besides other allowances; He hath also left order towards the continual maintenance (which was begun in his life time) of▪ poor widows in Merchantailors Almshouses on Tower hill. And to six poor men every third year, cloaks a piece, & to each of them xxvi. s. viii. d. a year, to be continued for ever. And as any of these Almes-men shall die, & their places g●ow void, than these Cloake-men by Election to stand, and possess the former p●ace, and benevolence in reversion.  
In regard whereof, they may (with the Prophet) cry out and say, Oh what shall we give unto GOD for all his ben●fites, and the Blessings he hath bestowed on the Sons of men?  
If we would know how to please him, and be ready to follow his will and Commandment, though we be not able to perform what we would, yet doing what we can, our unperfectness shallbe mad perfect through CHRIST, and esteemed as righteous in the merits of his Passion; Neither doth the Lord ●●quire more than a thankful heart, as the Scripture test●fieth. He that offereth praise shall glorify me, and to him that disposeth his ways aright, will I show the Salvation of God.   

Of his Charity to Bedlam and Bridewell, The Hospital of S. bartholmew's, and Saint Thomas Hospital in Southwark.  
NOw turn your eyes upon wounded, and ulcerous Lazars, that lie under the hands of v Physicians; (made miserable, by their own grievous, and Eye-wounding sores, and made happy again, through present hope, and after hap, to be perfectly Cured, by the provident means of this godly Benefactor) and you shall see their wounds and Ulcers to stand wide open before you; Oh look in at them, & you shall behold Misery herself, to have taken possession of their earthly bodies, (being Houses of Clay, as job calleth them,) for to dwell therein. And when you are gone, come again within a while, & behold their wounds closed and sores skinned, and seeing nothing but bare scars & Prints in their places; pronounce, that Mercy hath been there, and displacing Misery, (nothing to be seen, but her footsteps) hath set joy, health, and comfort, as joint Tenants in possession, assigning them to pay for their Rent, Laude and praises unto the HIGHEST; It being his goodness that sent his servants Charity to do all the good is done unto them. And seeing it is God, which hath stricken them, (as job fells them) bringing on them vulnera per alium, wounds by something from without, or making to rise up in them vulnera pierce Sores from something within; It is for them to know, and acknowledge, that Ipse medetur qui vulneravit, etc. He which woundeth them by one means, healeth them by an other: And he which hath stricken them by his instruments of equity, salveth them by his hands of Mercy. Striking them, that their hearts may see into their sin, and acknowledge his justice, heartily crying, justus es Domine & justum judicium iwm. Righteous art thou (Oh Lord) and just is thy judgement. And healing them again that they may behold his merciful goodness, sweetly singing, Gratia dei est, misericordia Domini est: This is the favour of God, This is the mercy of the Lord: (that is) even that they perish not.  
Upon sweet experience of which great Mercy, Duty lays upon them (that are thus relieved, if shamefully they shake it not off) this humble confession of jacob, I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies. And this great mercy which they find coming unto them from God, they may conceive, that through this godly Benefactor, as through a Conduit pipe. It is derived unto them from their good God: the fountain of mercy: yea rather brought unto them in him as in a vessel of mercy: That so God showing them mercy by him, and they returning him honour, and praise from him: He may aswell from them to Godward be vas honoris, A vessel of honour: as he from God to them, vas misericordiae. A vessel of mercy. Who as he was always, a charitable reliever of diseased or maimed persons: So did he but at Easter last, not three weeks before his happy departure out of this miserable world, sent to each of the places aforesaid Thirty and odd pounds a piece, to be employed to the ease and comfort of such as were there detained.   

That Prisoners have been relieved and released out of the prisons of Newgate: The Counters and Ludgate by the riches of his gift.  
HEre may you behold the further care of this virtuous man, in his continued deeds of charity in his life time, and a little before his death, extended to the comfort of distressed prisoners: who if ever men had cause to magnify the Majesty of God for his gifts bestowed by the hands of his servants: Then may not they be bashful to speak, or bury in silence the bountiful favour of so good a Benefactor, who through his charity hath not only relieved them being in prison, but hath also loosed the locks of the prison doors, and made the bolts fly open by his bounty.  
They whose debtor made them captives, and cast them into loathsome prison, where the boards were their beds, where the prospect was but I congrate, and the sweetest air infectious smell, at length by his means found ease of their extremities.  
Oh that hard hearted people would be but moved (as this good man was) to enter into a charitable consideration of the extremity of Prisons, and the distressed estate of Prisoners.  
They hear nothing there but moans, nor have sight of any other thing but misery: Their smiles choked with sighs, and their mixth overcome with morning: careful complaints are their communication, Oppression and extreme dealing, is the tale they tell of, and every one knows better how to declare his grief, than which way to redress it. Fraud, deceit, and faithless friends, bring most men in, and hardness of heart, cruelty and lack of mercy keep them there, where many months together they feed on the bread of affliction, and drink the water of sorrow.  
Let no man speak of extremity, that hath not known Captivity, nor brag of friendship & friends, till he have been bolted in prison: This is the fire that purgeth the gold from the dross, and the touchstone to try a faithful friend from a fawning flatterer: There dwells the melancholy Muses of sad petitions, who like Briareus with an hundred eyes write swiftly, but the messengers that carry them, may be fitly compared to leaden héeld Saturnus, that finishes his course but once in thirty years: Thus the poor man's thoughts which run as swift as Pegasus, expecting an answer, do in vain make a thousand long looks out of the iron grate to see the back return of this slow worm: At which time it often comes to pass, that his hopes are utterly frustrate.  
Then sends he for his brethren, and they look big▪ for his kindred and they will not know him; for his friends, and they will not come at him; but with coy looks, and scornful terms they all forsake him, and no man pities his afflictions.  
Flinty hearted Creditors have threatened to make dice of poor men's b●n●s, but they would be paid, and the while their poor wives, and succourless children, have been ready to starve at home. But in the midst of all this misery, when hope of help hath been past and nothing looked for, but continual calamity; Then hath the Lord by his servant sent help, as he did to Danie● in the lions den, and to Peter being in prison. This elect servant did not only like Abacuch, feed the hungry Captive, but like the blessed Angel of God he hath also taken by the hand, and brought forth the poor, and miserable Prisoner, paid his debt, and set him free. Hereby they have enjoyed the sweet blessing of liberty, and been cleared of that cruelty, which they were lately before afflicted with.  
God increase the number of such charitable men, and soften the flinty hearts of cruel oppressors: Before whose eyes this worthy man hath set an everlasting precedent: Aswell to be continued in these places for ever: As by his godly gift at Easter last, being but three weeks before his decease, who gave to each of the prisons afore named 50. pound a piece to be disposed of, either to the poor prisoners relief, or enlargement.   

Of his Charity to poor young beginners of the Company of Marchanttaylours.  
AS he was generally well disposed towards all, So was he especially unto the company: Into which he was worthily incorporate: And in his many good deeds towards them (as in a Crystal glass) you may behold his godly care to poor young people of that Society: who not forgetting such as have been newly made free, & have been beginning to trade in their professions, to help them forward in the world (making them go the were scarce able to creep) and to further them in so laudable an action, hath also stretched forth his bountiful hand towards their relief.  
Those who in their beginnings, have not been able to ensconce themselves against poverty, (resting in the fear of GOD, on his providence for their preferment) his heart hath the Lord stirred up to help, and to regard their want, and relieve their necessities: He like a kind Father, hath provided portions for them, and hath not let them pass into the world without some gifts from his bountiful hand: that they might thereby, (either the better profit themselves, or otherwise provide for their necessary imployements: Following the example of CHRIST, at the marriage of Canaan: where seeing their need, he showed his first miracle, by turning water into Wine; That gift is small that doth no good, and the good will very slender that deserves no thanks.  
As the young Damsels and Maidens of jerusalem sung the praises of King David for his deeds: So may the Youngmen of this company, sing in the commendations of this good man's Charity; For by his means have their Preferments been furthered, and their weak estates and conditions often raised.  
And as it was said to the Governor of the Feast, Thou hast kept the best Wine till now; So may these young beginners say: The best gift came not till now;  
For which benefit, they are to yield unto GOD due thanks, and continual glory.   

Of his bounty to the Prisoners of Newgate, and his provision for the Tolling of the Bell, at S. sepulchres, for condemned persons, which gift is to continue for ever.  
SEeing the Prayers & tears of the needy do pierce the Heavens, and that Joseph's afflictions are regarded of GOD, why should I not set down these poor men's miseries, & magnify God's mercies, which do comfort them in the same.  
The wretched and Forlorn men, forsaken of the world, and despised of the multitude; who with hungry bellies have been cast into Prison, without either money or Friends to help them, have not been left destitute in their extremities, but provided for, beyond deserts or expectation.  
Among many Faithful servants of CHRIST, pitying the Poor, they have not been least bound to this their godly Benefactor for their relief, who hath bountifully fed CHRIST, (in his Members.) His cheerfulness in giving, hath from time to time, made well known, that he was beloved of GOD, who loveth a cheerful giver.  
The Harvest of his happiness shall be most plentiful, because he hath not sown his seed sparingly, but hath been made rich unto all Liberality: which hath caused in many poor people a continual thanksgiving unto the ALMIGHTY.  
Oh happy man, Oh Heavenly Dove; so may we call him and so shall he find, taking part in the first Resurrection: For, Blessed are they that consider the poor and needy: the Lord shall deliver them in the day of Trouble.  
He fed these men in Prison, and gave them comfort in their deepest distress; But the Lord shall deliver him out of the jaws of Hell, and his soul shall be filled with gladness.  
Ahasuerus Feasted the Princes of Persia, and had much praise of men for the same; But Marry and Martha Feasting CHRIST, were blessed of GOD for ever. Many make Banquets, but the poor have no part in them.  
So did Holofernes for judith's sake, but perished in his excess. The rich Glutton fared daintily every day, while the poor man died at his gate, for want of food. Covetousness would suffer him to give nothing, like churlish Naball, and unmercifulness, threw him headlong to Hell.  
Pity, and tender Compassion, do declare the Children of men to be the Sons of God, who doth admonish them thereunto; saying: Be you merciful, as your heavenly Father is merciful. Herein is God pleased, and his Majesty honoured, by doing and showing the true marks of his dear Children.  
This stirred up Master Dove in the godly remembrance hereof, not only in his life time to relieve these distressed persons, by his many continued deeds of Charity, but to leave a worthy commemoration of his Religious intentions, to remain for ever after his death, by the gift of Fifty pounds, to be employed in the perpetual behoof of such as shall be condemned to die. That is, in having the great Bell at Saint sepulchres Church without Newgate, to be Tolled (on every Execution day,) till the condemned Prisoners have suffered death; and also a small Hand Bell, to be Rung at Midnight, under Newegate, the Night after their Condemnation; And the next morning, at the Church-wall; To put them in mind of their mortality; with a Prayer to be said touching their salvation.  
Oh admirable Devotion, and worthy to be recorded in the Monuments of Antiquity; who whether he lived or died, gave maintenance by his bounty, that this should continue for ever: for the comfort of them, and all succeeding them.  
Oh what a virtuous man was this? whose care was not only to preserve their bodies from fainting, by ministering ordinary supply of sustenance, but to give them spiritual food; and to awake their sleepy senses from security, to save their souls from perishing.   

Of the maintenance given by him unto certain Scholars, in Saint john Baptist College in Oxford.  
BEsides the many memorable deeds of Devotion which he did to poor aged men, to comfortless widows, to destitute and needy youngmen, to distressed Prisoners, and to divers others, (yet unknown,) in far larger measure than my Instructions have hitherto led me unto; He was also a charitable and careful Patron to poor Scholars, where the ability of their own Friends was not able to reach to yield them exhibition. And (besides what he had formerly done unto them) he gave an hundredth pounds at Easter last, and a Latin Bible, written in parchment, to certain Scholars, in S. john Baptists College in Oxford, for their maintenance and use, and for their further preferment in learning (the high way to honour:) Oh happy Scholars, borne in such a time, where bounty and virtue calleth you to promotion. Spend not therefore precious time idly, nor withdraw yourselves from the happiness of your future hopes. Now is a golden treasury opened unto you, which far surmounteth Croesus' wealth, make yourself rich in learning, and honour shall be your reward. This your good Benefactor hath loaden you with better treasure than gold, silver, or precious stones, which are subject to many casualties, gotten with grief, kept with care, and lost with a thousand sorrows. These riches are seldom possessed in peace, but are the cause many times of cruel murders, thefts, and an hundred deadly dangers of body, and often prove the destruction of the Soul: But learning shall whilst you live ever last, and remain with you: No thief shall be able (leaving your life) to rob you of this treasure. Had king Priamus sent his Son Polidorus with no other treasure to his supposed friends: The young Prince had never felt the force of inhuman murder and cruelty, nor his Parents had cause to lament so grievous a mischance, with so many sorrowful and bitter tears. Therefore be greedy to gain learning, and knowledge, be earnest, and careful to purchase wisdom, the which shall crown you with honour in the days of your perfection, and raise you to the high Seat of dignity. Embrace this benefit with gladness, and praise God for him that gave furtherance unto it.   

Of the bounty and charity of Master Doves to the Schoolmaster and Scholars of Christ's Hospital in London.  
Over many Orphans & poor children, did he become a careful father standing in stead of their own natural Parents, in affording means to have them trained up in the exercise of good letters, to bring them to preferment, and to keep them from the snares of Idleness (the path to perdition) hath in tender regard of their good, and the Commonwealths benefit, given furtherance to the Schoolmaster of Christ's Hospital, to nourish them in the knowledge of the latin tongue, and such as are not capable thereof, to be instructed in writing, and casting account, and to be placed and preferred to several trades and mysteries, whereby they may grow in time to be happy members of this honourable city. Oh ye children, carry thankful minds, first to God for his goodness in preferring you hereunto, and next unto such Benefactors, as have so charitably provided to instruct you. Through his bounty shall you be trained up, either in the latin tongue, that you may proceed unto further knowledge, or in writing, that you may be able to set down that which your pen, which your memory is by no means able to preserve. And whether you be in prison restrained from liberty, or separated by the Sea, from the sight of your country, by your pen you may help yourselves in the one, and satisfy yourselves in the other. What honours you may attain unto by learning, or what good you may come to by hand-writing, you are not able to conceive, before you have made experience of it. By the one you may be both beatified, and beautified with all that inward graces of the mind, by the other, you might speak, if you had lost your tongues by tyranny, as many did in the bloody days of Dioclesian: Or did your legs fail you, or were you made cripples by the wars, (as Scipio was) yet your writing might get your livings, and procure both raiment for the back, and food for the belly: were your minds troubled and vexed, and that your memories were as weak, as Mesala●s brain was feeble, yet the property of your pen might serve to help you in that imperfection. Wherefore it is no small benefit bestowed upon you (oh ye children) that may be enriched with so excellent a quality, only by using diligence without any charge to your Parents.  
For this cause suffer not occasion to overslip you, but take hold of her fore cop, lest neglecting meet opportunity, you afterward snatch in vain at her bald hinder part, and so with grief, and repentance, bewail the loss of that which can never after be recovered, according to that of the Poet, Volat irrevocabile Tempus.  
That Time is bald, and being but once past, cannot be called again, for all thou hast.   

Of his charity to the city of Bristol, and a relation of some other his several bounties.  
BEsides many other places that can yield a plentiful testimony for him in his behalf, and make a condign Relation of his good works, we may not here forget the religious care, and provident order which he took in his life time for the relief and succour of the poor people of Bristol: Who hearing that the same city was fallen into some decay, and poverty, out of a feeling remorse, and charitable inclination he had to yield help to their dejections, freely bestowed upon the same city, the sum of one hundredth pounds.  
As his bounty was great towards this City, so were his hands every where reached out to the necessities of all sorts. Yea such was his charity, that if he had seen poor men addicted to labour, he would set them on work, and cause them to be employed to their better furtherance, and encouragement. If he heard that any of his poor neighbours, were decrepit, or destitute of means to follow their professions, he would supply their needs in one condition or other, and not fail by his money to make way for their good intentions. Wherein he dealt no worse with them, than a Reverend father dealt with a poor kinsman of his; who being solicited to advance him: And he thereupon enquiring, what course of life he followed, and receiving answer, that he was an Husbandman: Why then (quoth he) if his plough be broken, I will repair it, or rather than fail, bestow a new one upon him, whereby he may go on in his course of life: But so to advance him, as to make him idle, or to forsake his trade, or condition, in which he was brought up, that I mean not to do.  
He was mild and gentle to all, and his purse ever open to such as were petitioners unto him for his relief, so as he might justly be compared to Titus, Qui neminem unquàm à se tristem dimisit. Such as were suitors unto him for succour, did not at any time depart from him without contentment, he dismissed no man sorrowful for lack of success, nor sent any man from his presence full of grief or sadness, for want of his helping hand, to give ease and enlargement to their heaviness.  
As he was devoutly careful to relieve both aged, and impotent old men, so was he always religiously mindful (as is aforesaid of the well tuturing and good education of poor, and indigent scholars, following the example of a godly Patron, who esteemed Hospitale adsublevandam pauper tatem, & Scholam, ad instruendam inventutem, esse optima opera, quae aliquis potuit efficere. That an Hospital, to sustain the poor, and a School, to train up youth, were the worthiest works that a man could leave behind him.  
Insomuch, as (led by these motives) he left to the benefit of Posterity, an everlasting memory of his Saintlike mind in these behalfs, Allowing sixteen pounds a year for ever, to christs-hospital in London: to be employed towards the use and maintenance of a Schoolmaster, to train up and instruct ten young Scholars, in the knowledge and learning of Music and Pricksong.  
Eighteen pounds a year, to be continued for ever; for the Examination & Approbation of certain Scholars yearly, out of the Frée-schoole of the Company of Merchant tailors in London.  
Twenty pounds a year for ever, To the Prisons of Ludgate, Newgate, & the two Counters. And certain Fees and Allowances, to the Officers of Marchant-tailors-Hall, to remain to perpetuity: to see these things duly observed, according to the purpose of his charitable and religious intention.  
All which he performed with such Alacrity, that it may be said of him, Merces eius copiosae est in Coelis; His reward is very great in the Kingdom of Heaven.  
In the sight of God, he enjoyeth the fullness of all Felicity, which neither eye hath seen, nor ear heard, nor man's heart achieved; For Resurrectio immortalitatis pullulat foecundius, cum in pauperum auxilio seritur: The Resurrection of immortality springs more fertillie, when it is sown in help of the distressed and needy. And he living and dying (no doubt) a chosen and beloved servant of God, and one, who (as it may be truly said of him,) had devoutly consecrated both his whole life to God, and his careful endeavours to the relief of the poor.  
After he had performed his Oblations of Prayer and Thanksgiving to God, as Abraham, (of whom he was a true Son) yielded up the Spirit, and died in a good Age, an old man, and of great years; Committing his body (which was but lately the mansion of a most excellent Soul,) unto his grave, where it rests, in assured expectation of a glorious resurrection.   

The manner of his Departure out of this World, and his desire to be with God.  
IN all his sickness (which was not long by reason of the weakness and disability of his body, being fourscore and fifteen years old,) he never showed sign of discontentment, or impatience, neither was there one word heard come forth of his mouth, sounding either of despair or infideliitie, of mistrust, or distrust, or of any doubting or wavering in the Faith of Christ, but always remained faithful, and resolute in his God; and so desirous was he to be with the Lord, that these golden Sentences were never out of his mouth. I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ; And oh miserable wretch that I am, who shall deliver me from this body, subject to sin? Come quickly, Lord jesus, Come quickly.  
Like as the Hart desireth the Water-springs, So doth my Soul thirst after thee (Oh God.)  
I had rather be a Doorkeeper in the House of my GOD, then to dwell in the Tents of the wicked. With many other Heavenly speeches, which lest I should seem tedious, I will omit  
He would always pray absolutely, that God would take him out of this miserable World. And when his Kindred or Friends would seem to pray for his health (if it were the will of God) He would answer;  
I beseech you pray not that I should live: For I think it long to be with my God; CHRIST is to me Life, & Death is to me advantage; Yea, the day of death is the birth day of everlasting life; and I cannot enter into Life, but by Death; Therefore Death is the door, or Entrance into Everlasting life to me.  
I know and am certainly persuaded by the Spirit of God, that the Sentence is given already (by the great judge) in the High Court of Parliament of Heaven, that I shall now depart out of this life; and therefore pray n●t for me, that I may live here, but pray to God to give me strength and Patience to persevere to the end; and to close mine eyes in a justifying Faith, in the Blood of my CHRIST.  
With that, he said, I thank my GOD, through JESUS CHRIST; He is come, He is come, my good jailor is come, to let my soul out of prison;  
Oh sweet Death thou art welcome, welcome sweet death, Never was there any Guest so welcome to me as thou art; Welcome the messenger of everlasting life: Welcome the door and entrance into everlasting glory; Welcome I say, and thrice welcome: My good jailor, do thine office quickly, and set my soul at liberty; Strike sweet Death, strike my heart. I fear not thy stroke: Now it is done; Father into thy blessed hands I commend my Spirit: Into thy blessed hands I commend my Soul and my body.  
At which words his breath stayed, and so neither moving hand nor foot, he slept sweetly in the Lord. The second day, of May. Anno. 1612.  
Thus have you heard the virtuous life, and Christian death of M. Dove; whose many deeds of Charity, are more acceptable to God, and more memorable to men, in that they were done in his life time: God stir up the hearts of Rich and Able men to follow his steps, and give them grace to imitate his good example; That they may come to those unspeakable joys, wherein he now resteth, through Christ our Lord.   
FINIS.