ARTES
LIBRARY
1817
SCIENTIA
VERITAS
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
TUBBOR
SIQUE RIS-PENINSULAM-AMOLNA
CIRCUMSPICE
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( 313 )
takers of fo high an happineſs? The know-
ledge of Thee, and of thy Son is everlaſting
life. Thy ſervice is perfect freedom: how
happy then are we, that thou doſt conſtantly
retain us in the daily exerciſe thereof!
With theſe favours, and mercies, O Lord,
we ought to acknowledge ourſelves moſt
happy: we ought to be joyfull in the midſt
of adverſities, in the depth of affliction, and
in the height of diftrefs. How much more
then are we bound to thee for thy mercifull
continuance of thoſe bleffings which we en-
joy! we are bound, O Lord, but unable to
perform this duty as we ought; yet fince
thou hast invited us, we now come to the
performance thereof; to render to thy Di-
vine Majesty the moſt humble, and hearty
acknowledgment of our own demerits, and
thy infinite goodneſs. We beseech thee that
thou wilt enlarge our hearts, and open our
mouths, that our prayers may be ſet forth
in thy fight as incenfe, and the lifting up
our hands as a facrifice unto thee, for the
only merits of thy dear Son, in whoſe name
of
and
..
MEMOIRS
OF THE
L I FE
O F
Mr. NICHOLAS FERRAR.
eter
By P. PECKARD, D. D.
MASTER OF MAGDALEN COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE.
CAMBRIDGE,
'Printed by J. ARCHDEACON Printer to the UNIVERSITY;
And fold by J. & J. MERRILL, and J. BowTELL, în
Cambridge; and T. PAYNE & Son, at the
Mews Gate, London.
MDCCXC.
English
Harding
8-27-48
64000
PREFAC
C E.
i
T
HE Editor of the following Memoirs
has been long and frequently folicit-
ed to publiſh the life of Mr. Nicholas Fer-
rar, of which it was known that he once
had a manuſcript account in his poffeffion.
It now ſeems neceffary to give a fhort hif-
tory of this MS. and the reaſon why he has
hitherto delayed his compliance with the
folicitations that have been made to him.
He married the eldest daughter of Mr. Ed.
Ferrar late of Huntingdon, who by his will
left to him his books and papers. Among
the latter was a manufcript life of Nicholas
Ferrar, entitled, “The complete Church of
England Man, &c." written out fair and
prepared for the prefs, from authentic me-
moirs in the family, by the Rev. Mr. Fran-
cis Peck: a Gentleman well known to the
a 2
literary
(iv)
literary world by his publications relative to
various articles of antiquity.
Soon after the death of Mr. Ed. Ferrar,
which happened in 1769, the Rev. Mr. Jones,
of Sheephall in the county of Hertford, then
on a vifit to the Editor at Huntingdon, re-
queſted the perufal of this manufcript, which
was granted: and the Editor foon after went
for fome time with his family to Bath. On
his return to Huntingdon, he was informed
of the fudden death of Mr. Jones, occafioned
by a fall from his horfe.
Having made all poffible enquiry after
this MS. in the neighbourhood of Sheephall
without effect, the Editor called upon a bro-
ther of Mr. Jones, who then lived near St.
Clement's Church in the Strand, who un-
dertook to recover and reſtore it. But he
alfo was prevented doing any thing by his
fudden death, which happened in a few days.
after this application.
Since that time the Editor has made all
the
i
( v )
1
the enquiry both public and private that
was in his power, but all to no purpoſe.
The lofs, (probably the unjuſt detention) of
this MS. was many years fince made known
to the public by Mr. Gough in his Britiſh
Topography, as appears by the following
extract from that work: in which it is to
be wiſhed that the Author had expreffed
himſelf with leſs diſreſpect of a family every
way worthy of his admiration, though per-
haps far above modern imitation.
"Some account of a family that made
much noiſe at the beginning of the civil
wars, and was objected to Laud as an in-
ſtance of his affection to Popery, may be
feen in "The Arminian Nunnery: or a brief
deſcription and relation of the late erected
Monaftical place called the Arminian Nun-
nery, at Little Gidding in Huntingdonshire:
humbly recommended to the wife confide-
ration of this preſent Parliament. The foun-
dation is by a company of Ferrars at Gid-
ding. London, 1641, 4°. reprinted by
Hearne at the end of Langtoft's Chronicle,
a 3
13
Oxf.
(vi)
1
"" on
Oxf. 1725, p..cxxiv. No. X." It was taken
with unwarrantable alterations from a letter
figned H. S. written by Edward Lenton to
Sir Tho. Hedley, Knt. Serj. at Law, "
his requeſt to certify as he (the letter wri-
ter) found concerning the reputed Nunne-
rie at Gidding, Huntingdonshire; printed
alfo by Hearne in the fame book, p. cix.
No. IX, and p. 702 of Caii Vindicia." The
Editors of the Catalogue of Ld. Oxford's
Pamphlets, feem to infinuate that Hearne
did not reprint the former pamphlet with
exactneſs. In p. 679 of the 2ª Vol. of Caii
Vindiciæ are"
papers relating to this
Proteftant Nunnery tranfcribed and given to
the publiſher by Mr. John Worthington, to
which are prefixed an epitaph to the memory
of Dr. John Worthington *, (who preferved
theſe papers) and ſome hiſtorical notes about
the Ferrars, particularly that mirrour of
piety Mr. Nicholas Ferrar." Some more par-
ticulars of this Ufelefs Enthufiaft may be feen
in Barnabas Oley's prefatory view of Her-
bert's
r
*Prefident of Emanuel College-and Mafter of
Jefus College, Cambridge, died 1671.
(vii)
bert's Life, prefixed to Herbert's Country
Parfon: in Bp. Hacket's Life of ABp. Wil-
liams, part II. p. 50, and in Stevens's Abridg-
ment of the fame, 1715, p. 153. Dr. Tur-
ner, Bp. of Ely, had an intention of writing
his Life, but what advances he made to-
wards it does not appear. Mr. Peck in-
forms us that he himſelf compofed a work,
intitled, "The complete Church of England
Man, exemplified in the holy Life of Mr.
Nicholas Ferrar, of Little Gidding in the
county of Huntingdon, Gent. commonly
called the Proteftant Saint Nicholas; and
the pious Mr. Geo. Herbert's brother." But
in whofe hands theſe papers at preſent are,
I have not been able to learn. Peck's
Peck's pa-
pers in general are in the poffeffion of Sir
Tho. Cave. We might have expected ſome
account of this remarkable perſon in the
Biographia Britannica, where is only a flight
note about him in the Supplement, p. 126‡.
This
+ A Life of Mr. Ferrar, publiſhed in the Chriftian
Magazine 1761, is faid to be taken from Dr. Turner's
papers.
The note here referred to is upon Dr. John Mapletoft
“who
24
(viii)
This religious family confifted of an old
matron, widow of Nicholas Ferrar of Lon-
don, merchant; two fons (of whom Nicholas
during his travels had been ftrongly folicit-
ed to go over to the Church of Rome) an
only daughter and her huſband Mr. Collet,
with their fifteen* children (of whom fix
daughters, and two fons were married) and
three or four fervants. They had a hand-
ſome houſe and chapel, with fine walks and
gardens, and an eſtate of about 500. a
year, purchaſed by the mother. Thus de-
clining all calling or employment that
might render them ufeful in the world,
which Nicholas accounted a Nothing between
two
"who was brought up at Little Gidding in Huntingdon-
"fhire, in the devout family of his maternal great uncle
"Nicholas Ferrat, Efq; who was his godfather."
"He received the impreffions of Religion and Virtue
"very early, by the care of Mr. Ferrar, a Gentleman of
"the moſt remarkably diſtinguiſhed piety; of which there
"are many extraordinary inftances publiſhed by Mr.
"Hearne." Then follows a ſhort account of the Reli-
gious Exerciſes, the Harmonies, &c. of which more par- ·
ticular notice will be taken hereafter.
* Read eighteen.
+ This expreffion was not Mr. Ferrar's, but Mr. Geo.
Herbert's.
(ix)
two dishes, they devoted their whole time to
faſting, watching, prayer, and reading, ac-
counting this method of worſhip, with fome
external ceremonies, as lighting of tapers,
and performing certain proftrations, and
genuflexions, the n.oft perfect and accept-
able fervice of God, and their beſt calling.
Nicholas employed himfelf in compiling
Scripture Harmonies, and Hiftories in his
own and twenty-one other languages, with
literal tranflations into Latin, of which fee an
account in Hearne's Caii Vindicia, p. 812,
and his brother John's letter to Dr. Bafire,
for all the tranflations of the Bible that he
could collect, p. 697. One of theſe patch
work Harmonies, prefented to ABp. Laud,
was by him depofited in St. John's College
Library, Oxford, adorned with variety of
cuts, and entituled, "The whole Law of
God, as it is delivered in the five books of
Mofes, methodically diftributed into three
great claffes, moral, ceremonial, and politi-
cal: and again, each of theſe ſubdivided into
feveral heads, as the variety of the matter
requires: wherein each particular fubject,
i
dif
( x )
;
difperfedly related in the forefaid books, is
reduced to its proper head, and place: alſo
every head of the political law referred to
which precept of the moral law it properly
belongs to which are added fundry pictures,
expreffing either the facts themſelves, or
their types and figures, or other matters ap-
pertaining thereto. Done at Little Gidding
anno 1640. Some remains of the maiden
fifter's exerciſes, a parcel of rhapſodical, en-
thufiaftic converfations were printed by
Hearne, ubi fupra, p. 713. This family
ended in two brothers, one living at Hun-
tingdon, a Lawyer; the other, now dead,
had a Life of Nicholas, but lent or miſlaid
it, ſo that at prefent it cannot be found by
the Rev. Mr. Peckard, who married their
Sifter*." Gough's Topographia Britannica.
Mr. Gough is under a miſtake with re-
fpect to the Harmony abovementioned, in
fuppofing it to be done by Mr. N. Ferrar,
fen.
Mr. Ferrar did not lend, or miflay it, but left it by
his will to Mr. Peckard, who married, not a fifter, but
Mr. Ferrar's eldest daughter. He lent this MS. as is
above related, to Mr. Jones, and it never was returned.
(xi)
st
ſen. who died in 1637. In Mr. Js. Walton's
account of Mr. Ferrar, there are alſo ſome
miſtakes reſpecting dates, which, though
not of any great confequence, may as well
be fet right.
"About the 26th year of his
age he betook himſelf to travel, &c." Mr.
Ferrar was born Nov. 22, 1592, and went
abroad in the retinue of the Princess Eliza-
beth in the year 1613, confequently he be-
took himſelf to travel in the 21 year of his
age.
"Mr. Ferrar's death was in the year
1639." This is alſo a miſtake; he died on
Monday, Dec. 2, 1637. It is alſo ſaid that
he tranſlated Valdeffo's Confiderations, &c.
out of Spanish into English. Mr. Ferrar
himſelf ſays in his Preface to that work,
that he tranflated from the Italian copy, be-
cauſe the Spaniſh, either was not extant, or
not eaſy to be found.
Having examined and compared with the
original MS. ſtill in my poffeffion, a fhort
Life of Mr. Ferrar publiſhed about 17 years
fince in the Gent. Mag. as alfo a longer ac-
count of him in the Chrift. Magazine, pub-
liſhed in the year 1761, and ſaid to be the
Life
(xii)
Life written by Dr. Turner, late Bp. of Ely;
I think it my duty here to inform the pub-
lic, that both theſe accounts, fo far as they
go, are authentic, and that it is in my power
to prove their authenticity from the original
MS. ſtill exiſting. The papers of Dr. Tur-
ner are demonftrably taken either from this
old family MS. or from fome duplicate of
it; as appears undeniably from whole fen-
tences, and in ſome parts even whole para-
graphs, that are word for word the fame.
There are indeed fome additional obferva-
tions, and reflections of his own, and ſome
allufions to particular hiſtorical events,
which do not occur in the original MS. but
nothing that does in any degree hurt the
authenticity of the narration. I am very
forry that I did not at the time know of that
publication; as I fhould have been happy
to have communicated to the Editors every
affiſtance in my power, and to have ſupplied
them with the means of having what they
expreſs an earneſt wiſh for, a Print of this
excellent man, from an original picture of
him, by C. Johnfon now prefented by the
family as an Heir loom to the Maſter's
Lodge
(xiii)
Lodge in Magdalen College, Cambridge.
The Authors of the Chr. Magazine fay, that
Bp. Turner, in his notes for his Preface, re-
marks that there was fomething γελαςικον,
fmiling, in his countenance. I think the
picture, though at the fame time expreffive
of compofure and refignation, fully juftifies
the Biſhop's obfervation.
Having now, after near twenty years fruit-
lefs enquiry, given up all hopes of recover-
ing his property, the Editor nevertheleſs de-
termines, as far as it is in his power, to gra-
tify the folicitations of his friends with re-
ſpect to the Life of Mr. Nich. Ferrar. And
having found the original MS. from which
Mr. Peck compofed his work, entitled, "The
complete Church of England Man exem-
plified in the holy Life of Mr. N. Ferrar,"
which is the work above ſpoken of as being
loft, or diſhonourably detained; as alfo fome
looſe and unconnected papers of Mr. Peck's
rough draught, he here humbly offers to the
public the refult of his inveſtigation. And
although he has thought it neceffary fome-
times to change an obfolete phraſe for one
more
( xiv)
more modern, or to leave out fome paffages
that might now appear of no weight, or to
add now and then a few ſentences for the
fake of connection, yet in every thing of
moment the preſent production is faithful
to the original. If, where the ſubject natu-
rally led to it, he has fometimes thrown in
a compariſon between the prefent mode of
training youth, and the method obferved in
the time of Mr. Ferrar, he hopes it will not
be confidered as an unpardonable liberty,
fince no particular cenfure is intended, and
the motive is a fincere regard to the intereſts
of Religion and Virtue, which appear to be
greatly injured by the modern Syſtem of
Education.
The ſhort accounts given of the particu-
lar perfons named in the courfe of the nar-
ration, he thought might not be unaccept-
able, as they call to remembrance ſeveral
worthy men celebrated in their time, though
now almoſt loft in oblivion.
The arrangement where it is different
from the original in point of method, and
the
( xv)
L
the alterations in the ftile, are leſs than
might have been expected with respect to an
uncorrected and unfiniſhed memoir, which
was intended only as "a direction to fome hif
torian" who would undertake from it to
tranſmit to poſterity the life and virtues of
a brother moſt worthy to be beloved and
had in remembrance.
The Editor's intention in theſe alterations
was to give, in the narration, what is not
obferved in the original, a regular feries of
facts: and through the whole a fort of even-
nefs, and fimplicity of ftile equally free from
meanneſs and affectation. In ſhort, to make
the old and the new, as far as he could,
uniform; that he might not appear to have
fewed a piece of new cloth to an old gar-
ment, and made its condition worſe by his
endeavours to mend it.
The Editor has reafon to fufpect that the
Life written by Mr. Peck is ftill in being,
and diſhonourably detained. And as it has
of late been very much the faſhion to pub-
lifh after the death of the party concerned
any
( xvi)
any thing, true or falfe, trifling or impor-
tant, creditable or diſgraceful, that can by
any means be collected together; and as
Printers may now be found who will readily
undertake this unworthy occupation; he
confiders this as an additional motive to this
publication; left hereafter fome mangled or
defamatory materials fhould fall into the
hands of theſe Affaffins general of the Re-
putation of the Dead*,
* In the 35th Vol. of Baker's MSS. at p. 369, is an
article entitled, Materials for writing the Life of Mr. N.
Ferrar. This article Mr. Baker informs us is only an
extract of a much larger account. Then follow 34 clofe
written pages in folio of this extract; and at the end
"NB. This whole account, with the ten pages follow-
ing, were all written by one, and are now in the hands
"of another of the family, by whoſe permiffion I took
"this copy, and being very authentic it may ferve to cor-
"rect whatever we have yet in print concerning this ex-
"traordinary man and his extraordinary way of living.
"
"The following account is to be inferted at p. 396,
"which I then thought would have been printed: not be-
ing printed, and having more time allowed me to copy
" it than I at firft expected, it is here added to p. 396.”
This account given in Mr. Baker's MS. is taken from
the family MS. in my poffeffion; as appear plainly from
fome mutilated expreffions, and dates unfinished (as 162---
for 1624) which are the fame in my MS. as in Mr.
Baker's abftract,
M E-
MEMOIRS, &c.
1
N the following memoirs the reader
IN
muſt not expect any thing that is gene-
rally eſteemed brilliant and entertaining.
He will not find here any defcription of
amorous intrigues, or political machina-
tions; any account of perfons of high rank,
ruined by faſhionable vices, or of low and
fordid profligates by every baſe art rifing to
diſtinction; of wily and unprincipled Stateſ-
men trampling under foot the laws of Ju-
ftice and Honour, or inventors of new arts
for the deſtruction of the human race; no
praiſe is here beftowed on ironical and far-
caftic underminers of the credit of Chri-
ſtianity, or diſcoverers of unknown coun-
tries to be hereafter plundered and enſlaved.
No place is here given to the ravages of
Ambi-
A
( 2 )
Ambition; to the exploits of a Jofeph, or a
Catherine fubverting the natural and civil
rights of man, and wading to the throne
of Tyranny through deluges of human
blood. Theſe pages contain only the pri-
vate virtues of a private man; of a man en-
dued indeed with abilities to have adorned
the higheſt ſtation, but of humility hardly
to be found in the loweft; of a man devot-
ing himſelf as it were from very infancy to
the adoration of God, and perſiſting with
unremitted ardour in that folemn dedica-
tion of his faculties to the laſt moment of
his life.
Mr. Nicholas Ferrar, though not of ex-
alted rank himſelf, was of a family highly
respectable for that real merit which fur-
paffes antiquity of defcent or nobility of
title, a family illuftrious for virtue. Nor
was their virtue unattended with thoſe ex-
ternal claims to worldly refpect, which
alas! are fometimes efteemed of fuperior
value.
#
Gualke-
( 3 )
Gualkeline, or Walkeline de Ferrariis, a
Norman of diſtinction, came into England
with William the Conqueror. To Henry
de Ferrariis, the fecond of this family, Wil-
liam gave Tutbury and other Caftles; and
more than a hundred and eighty Lord-
ſhips*. In procefs of time the family be-
came very numerous; founded feveral reli-
gious houſes; had the honour of Peerage;
and different branches of it were fettled in
many different counties.
One line was long fince eſtabliſhed in
Yorkſhire, from which was defcended Ni-
cholas, the father of that Nicholas to whoſe
memory theſe imperfect memoirs are dedi-
cated. He was very nearly related to that
pious and refolute martyr Rob'. Ferrar, Bp.
of St. Davids, who fealed the truth of the
Proteſtant Religion with his blood, and
with theſe remarkable words after his con-
demnation
* In Co. Staff. 114; Co. Der. 25; Co. Buck. 22;
Co. Oxon. 7; Co. Effex 5; Co. Wilt. 3; Co. Linc. 6;
Co. Glocef. 2; and feveral in the County of Notting-
ham.
A 2
( 4 )
demnation to the ftake, "If you ſee me ftir
in the fire, believe not the doctrine I have
taught +."
Nicholas Ferrar the father was brought
up in the profeſſion of a Merchant Adven-
turer, and traded very extenfively to the
Eaſt and Weſt Indies, and to all the cele-
brated
+ Richard Jones, a Knight's ſon, coming to Bp. Fer-
rar a little before his execution, lamented the painfulneſs
of the death he had to fuffer. To whom the Bp. an-
fwered, that if he faw him ftir in the pains of his burning,
he fhould then give no credit to his doctrine. And as
he ſaid ſo he right well performed the fame. For fo pa-
tiently he ſtood that he never moved: but even as he
ftood holding up his ftumps, fo ftill he continued till one
Richard Gravel with a ſtaff daſhed him upon the head,
and ſo ſtroke him down. Mar. 30, 1555, Fox, Mart.
This refolute ſpirit in theſe dreadful moments may
feem in fome degree to juſtify Bp. Goodwyn's cenfure,
who defcribes Bp. Ferrar as a man of an unbending and
intractable difpofition-blandiri nefcius, multo minus
diffimulare, pro innata afperitate liberè fatis ad interro-
gata refpondens, ne dicam protervè, Wintonienfem
fuapte natura fatis crudelem, adeo irritavit, ut non mirer
fi durius cum illo actum fuerit. Yet, though this Bishop
may not wonder at it, furely it is hard indeed that an Inno-
cent man, merely for fpeaking freely in the caufe of Truth,
fhould be condemned to fo horrible a Death by a furious
Bigot, equally a ftranger to Juftice and Compaffion.
( 5 )
brated feats of Commerce.
He lived in
high repute in the City, where he joined in
commerical matters with Sir Tho'. and Sir
Hugh Middleton, and Mr. Bateman. He
was a man of liberal hofpitality, but go-
verned his houſe with great order. He kept
a good table at which he frequently received
perfons of the greatest eminence, Sir John
Hawkins, Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter
Rawleigh, and others with whom he was
an adventurer: and in all their expeditions.
he was ever in the highest degree attentive
to the planting the Chriftian Religion in
the New World. At home alfo he was a
zealous friend to the eſtabliſhed Church,
and always ready to fupply his prince with
what was required of him. He lent 300.
at once upon a privy feal: a fum at that
time not inconfiderable. He had the ho-
nour of being written Efq; by Q. Eliza-
beth: and the exemplification of his Arms,
is ftill in the family.
He married Mary Wodenoth, daughter
of Laurence Wodenoth, Efq; of the ancient
family
A 3
( 6 )
family of that name, of Savington Hall in
Cheſhire, where her anceſtors in lineal de-
ſcent had enjoyed that Lordship near five
hundred years, and were allied to the
principal families of that country.
Mary Wodenoth was furpaffed by none
in comelineſs of body or excellence of beau-
ty. She was of modeſt and fober deport-
ment, and of great prudence. Of few words,
yet when ſhe ſpoke, Bp. Lindfel was uſed
to fay of her, he knew no woman fuperior
to her in eloquence, true judgment or wif
dom, and that few were equal to her in
charity towards man, or piety towards God.
This worthy couple lived together many
years in harmony and happineſs, perfecting
their holiness in the fear of God, and in the
confcientious practice of every duty. They
faw defcended from them a numerous, and
a virtuous family, of whofe education they
took uncommon care. They did not ſpoil
their children by abfolutely fparing the rod,
but what occafional feverity they judged to
be
( 7 )
be neceffary was fo foftened by tenderneſs
and affection, as to produce not only the
fear of doing amifs, but the love of doing
well. And certainly the fame method would
even in the prefent age produce beneficial
or prevent pernicious effects. When moral
diſcipline, as in theſe our enlightened days,
is entirely neglected, we have reaſon to look
forward to the worſt confequences. And
when reprehenfion is joined with aufterity
it always fails of its pretended purpoſe; but
when it plainly appears to proceed from
affection, there is fcarce a difpofition to be
found fo obftinate that it will not foon be-
come tractable. The little inftances of
corrective diſcipline exerciſed by theſe affec-
tionate parents in the beginning of the fe-
venteenth century, would perhaps excite the
derifion of the faftidious reader at the end
of the eighteenth; they are therefore omit-
ted. Nevertheleſs they were well calculated
to impreſs the tender mind with a reveren-
tial awe for the Supreme Being; with obe-
"dients to parents, and inſtructors; with
univerfal and difinterefted benevolence;
A 4
with
( 8 )
with modefty, with humility, and a proper
fenſe of ſubordination; with an abhorrence
of all vice, but particularly of every ſpecies
of falfhood. Thus did their cenfures tend
to form and produce virtuous and valuable
Citizens. How unlike is this plan! and
how far fuperior to that of a profligate No-
bleman, whofe leading principles of Educa-
tion are diffimulation, falfhood, and per-
fidy; and, in the ſtead of virtue, a ſpurious
honour that is confiftent, and can aflimi-
late itſelf with every thing baſe, diſhonour-
able and vicious. In this fchool are formed
our modern youths of poliſhed manners,
our men of Gallantry, our men of Gaiety,
But fave me from the Gaiety of thoſe
Whofe head-achs nail them to a noonday bed,
And ſave me too from theirs, whofe haggard eyes
Flaſh deſperation, and betray their pangs
For property ſtripp'd off by cruel chance:
From Gaiety that fills the bones with pain
The mouth with blafphemy, the heart with woe.
COWPER,
The children born to thefe virtuous pa-
rents were
1. Su-
( 9 )
1. Sufanna, married to Mr. Collet of
Bourne Bridge, in Cambridgeshire, by
whom he had eighteen children.
2. John, who married, firft, Anne, daugh-
ter of Wm. Shepherd, Efq; of Great Rowl-
wright in the county of Oxford; by whom
he had no iffue: fecondly, Bathfheba,
daughter of Ifrael Owen of London, Gent.
by whom he had iffue, Mary, who died
young, Nicholas, John, and Virginia.
3. Erafmus, a Barriſter of Law.
4. Nicholas, the ſubject of thefe memoirs.
5. William, a Barrister.
6. Richard, a Merchant of London, and
feveral daughters who all died
young.
They were all conſtantly trained in virtue
and religion. Their daily practice was to
read, and to ſpeak by memory fome portion
of the Scriptures, and parts of the book of
martyrs: they were alfo made acquainted
with fuch paffages of Hiſtory as were fuited
to their tender years. They were all in-
ftructed in Mufic; in performing on the
Organ, Viol, and Lute, and in the Theory
and
( 10 )
and Practice of Singing: in the learned,
and modern lauguages; in curious Needle-
works, and all the accompliſhments of that
time. The young men, when arrived at
years of diſcretion, had permiſſion each to
chooſe his profeffion, and then no expence
was ſpared to bring him to a diſtinguiſhed
excellence in it. For this was an invariable
maxim with the Parents, that having laid
a firm foundation in religion and virtue,
they would rather give them a good Edu-
cation without wealth, than wealth without
a good Education.
The Parish Church and Chancel of St.
Bennet Sherhog* in London, Mr. Ferrar
repaired
* This Church was deftroyed by the great Fire, in
which alſo perifhed an elegant monument for the time,
erected to the memory of Ann, first wife of John Ferrar,
a painting of which is ftill in the poffeffion of the Editor
of theſe memoirs.
Stowe, in his Survey of London, defcribing St. Bennet
Sherhog, fays, There is a fair monument on the Eaſt
wall of the Chancel, with the following infcription,
Grace, and Religion, with the beſt of Nature
All ftriving to excell, yet All agreeing
To
A
( II )
repaired and decently feated at his own ex-
pence: and as there was not any morning
preacher there, he brought from the coun-
try Mr. Francis White, and made him their
firſt Lecturer. Mr. White was afterwards
advanced to the See of Ely.
When a ſtranger preached, Mr. Ferrar
always
To make One abfolute and perfect Ceature-
Wou'd any fee a fight fo worth the feeing?
He comes too late: here ſhe lies buried,
With whom they lately liv'd, and now are dead.
In the vault hereby
Lieth buried the body of Ann, the wife of John Ferrar,
Gentleman and Merchant Adventurer of this City:
daughter of Wm, Shepherd, Efq; of Great Rowlwright
in the Co. of Oxenford. She departed this Life, July
12, 1613, being then about the age of twenty one years.
To whoſe well deſerving memory, this monument is by
her faid huſband erected.
A ſmall gilt engraven plate faſtened under the monu-
ment has the following infcription.
Here was a bud beginning for her May
Before her flower, death took her hence away.
But for what cauſe? that friends might joy the more;
Where their hope is, the flouriſheth now before.
She is not loft, but in thoſe joys remains
Where friends may fee, and joy in her again.
STOWE, p. 276.
( 12 )
¡
always invited him to dinner, and if it was
diſcovered that he was in any neceffity, he
never departed without a handſome preſent.
In truth they never were without a Clergy-
man as a companion in their houſe, or
even on their journeys, as they always ac-
cuſtomed themſelves to morning and even-
ing prayer.
Nicholas Ferrar, the third fon of this
worthy couple, was born the * 22d and
chriſtened the 23d of Feb. 1592, in the
parish of St. Mary Stayning in Mark Lane,
London. His Godfathers do not appear.
His Godmother was a Mrs. Riggs, wife to
Cap. Riggs, who recommended herſelf
highly to the eſteem of Q. Elizabeth, by
an Heroick act which the performed upon
the Sea-ſhore at Dover in 1588, as her ſtory
relates at large†.
He
* In Dr. Turner's life of Mr. Ferrar, publifhed in the
Chriſtian Magazine, 1761, the day of his birth is ſaid to
be Feb. 1, but this I have reaſon to think is erroneous.
+ In a fhort difcourfe concerning the Spaniſh Ar-
mada,
( 13 )
!
He was a beautiful child of a fair com-
plexion, and light coloured hair. At four
years of age he was ſent to ſchool, being of
a tractable difpofition and lively parts. At
five he could read perfectly, or repeat with
propriety and grace a chapter in the Bible,
which the parents made the daily exerciſe
of their children. By the brightneſs of his
parts, and the uncommon ftrength of his
memory he attained with great eafe and
quickness whatſoever he fet himſelf to
learn; yet was he alſo remarkably ftudious;
being a rare inftance of the union of the
brighteſt parts with the moſt intenfe indu-
ftry. From the early poffeffion of his mind
with ideas of piety and virtue, and a love
for
mada, tranſlated from the French by Dan. Archdeacon,
and printed at London by John Wolfe, 1588, it is faid,
"that the Engliſh Firefhips fo terrified the Spaniards,
as they lay faſt at Anchor near Calais, that they fought
every man to help himself; hewing, and flipping their
Cables, and leaving their Anchors behind them. Yea,
and fome ran aground upon one fhore, and fome upon the
other, and fome funk, and other fome were taken, with
divers of their men, fome of them of great name." Pro-
bably this was the time, and the fcene of Mrs. Rigg's
Heroick Act, but the relation of her ftory at large, I
have not yet been able to find.
( 14 )
}
for hiſtorical information, the Bible in his
very early years became to him the book
above all others moft dear and eftimable;
and next to this in his eſteem was Fox's
book of Martyrs, from which he could re-
peat perfectly the hiftory of his near kinf-
man Bp. Ferrar. And when in his riper
years he undertook the inftruction of the
family, he conſtantly exercifed them alfo in
the reading and in the ſtudy of theſe two
books. He was particularly fond of all
hiftorical relations, and when engaged in
this fort of reading, the day did not fatisfy
him, but he would borrow from the night;
infomuch that his mother would frequently
feek him out, and force him to partake of
fome proper recreation. Hence, even in his
childhood, his mind was fo furniſhed with
hiſtorical anecdotes, that he could at any
time draw off his ſchoolfellows from their
play, who would eagerly furround him, and
with the utmoſt attention liften to his little
tales, always calculated to inſpire them with
a love of piety and goodneſs, and excite in
them a virtuous imitation.
When
( 15 )
When he was very young he was entered
into Latin at London, at the defire of his
Mafter, though others thought it too foon:
but he was fo eager and diligent in his ap-
plication that he foon furpaffed all his
companions. [orig. MS. all his much an-
tients.]
He was of a grave difpofition, and very
early fhewed a great diſlike of every thing
that favoured of worldly vanity. In his
apparel he wished to be neat, but refufed
all that was not fimple and plain. When
bands were making for the children, he
earneſtly entreated his mother, that his
might not have any lace upon them, like
thoſe of his brothers, but be made little and
plain, like thoſe of Mr. Wotton, "for I
wiſh to be a preacher as he is." Mr. Wot-
ton was a learned Divine, and reader of
Divinity in Grefham College. He was fre-
quently at Mr. Ferrar's, and always exa-
mined, and exercifed young Nicholas, being
wonderfully delighted with his ingenuity *
*.
He
*After the Canons of the Convocation came forth
A.D.
( 16 )
He was good natured and tender hearted
to the higheſt degree; fo fearful of offend-
ing any one, that upon the leaſt apprehen-
fion of having given diſpleaſure, he would
fuddenly weep in the moſt ſubmiſſive man-
ner, and appear extremely forry. His tem-
per was lovely, his countenance pleafing:
his conftitution was not robuft, but he was
active, lively, and chearful. Whatſoever
he went about he did it with great fpirit,
and with a diligence and diſcretion above
his years.
And now the parents were informed by
their
A.D. 1604, Mr. Anthony Wotton (a very learned and
difcrete man) was inhibited to preach by Dr. Rich. Ban-
croft then Bp. of London. Among other things which
he was charged with as having utterred out of his Chair,
the following ſentence was objected to (which I have ſet
down as I had it from the mouth of Mr. Roger Fenton,
Parfon of St. Stephen's Walbrook, when the matter was
freſh and green, and not many hours old) viz. “God
open the eyes of the King, that he may be refolved in
the Truth without refpect of Antiquity." This fpeech
was thus conftrued, ift. That the King was blind.
2d. That he is wavering. 3d. That he favoureth Popery.
From the MS. collections of Mr. Abr. Fleming in
my hands. F. P.
FRANCIS PECK.
(
17 )
their friends, and by Mr. Francis his fchool-
mafter, that it was time to fend him to
fome greater ſchool where he might have a
better opportunity to improve himſelf in
the Latin tongue. It was thereupon re-
folved to fend him and his brother William
to Euborn, near Newberry in Berkſhire, to
the houſe of Mr. Brooks, an old friend,
who had many other pupils, who was a
religious and good man, but a ſtrict Diſci-
plinarian *.
While preparations were making for this
journey, an event took place which made
the deepeſt and moſt lively impreffion upon
the mind of young Nicholas, and ſtrongly
marks his character, and the bent of his
difpofition. He was but fix years of age,
and being one night unable to fleep, a fit
of Scepticiſm ſeized his mind, and gave him
the
*Rob. Brooks, M. A. was inftituted Vicar of St.
Olave Jewry, Aug. 27, 1593, being thereunto prefented
by the Crown. Newcourt, Vol. I. p. 515, and Rec.
of Wodeham Walter in Effex, Dec. 12, 1619. Vol. II.
P. 605. F. P.
B
*
( 18 )
the greateſt perplexity and uneafinefs.
He doubted Whether there was a God?
and if there was, What was the moſt ac-
ceptable mode of ferving him? In extreme
grief he roſe at midnight, cold, and froſty,
and went down to a grafs plat in the gar-
den, where he ſtood long time fad and pen-
five, mufing, and thinking ſeriouſly upon
the great doubt which thus extremely per-
plexed him. At length throwing himſelf
on his face upon the ground, and ſpreading
out his hands, he cried aloud, Yes, there is,
there muſt be a God: and he, no queſtion,
if I duly and earneſtly ſeek it of him, will
teach me not only how to know, but how
to ſerve him acceptably. He will be with
me all my life here, and at the end will
hereafter make me happy.
Theſe are exalted, and wonderful ſenti-
ments for a child of fix years old: and this
anecdote may influence the reader to give
credit to thoſe ſublime ecftafies of Devotion
which he experienced and expreffed at the
cloſe of his Life.
His
( 19 )
His doubts now vaniſhed, his mind be-
came eafy, and he returned to his apart-
ment: but the remembrance of what he felt
on this occafion made him ever after
ftrongly commifferate all who laboured un-
der any religious doubt, or deſpair of mind.
And in the future courfe of his life he had
repeated opportunities to exert his beneva-
lence to thoſe who experienced a fimilar
unhappineſs.
In the year 1598, he was ſent to Euborn
School, near Newberry in Berkſhire, where
he made fuch a rapid progreſs in Latin,
Greek, and Logic, that he foon became the
firft Scholar of his years. He ftrengthened
his memory by daily exercife: he was a
great proficient in writing and arithmetic,
and attained fuch excellence in fhort hand,
as to be able to take accurately a Sermon
or Speech on any occafion. He was alfo
well ſkilled both in the Theory and Practice
of Vocal and Inſtrumental Muſic.
Thus accompliſhed, in his fourteenth
year,
B 2
( 20 )
year, his maſter, Mr. Brooks, prevailed with
his parents to fend him to Cambridge, whi-
ther he himself attended him, and admitted
him of Clare Hall, prefenting him, with
due commendation of his uncommon abili-
ties to Mr. Auguftin Lindfell*, the Tutor,
and Dr. Wm. Smith, then Maſter of the
College.
His parents thought proper, notwith-
ftanding the remonftrance of fome friends
againſt it, to admit him a Penfioner for the
first year; as they conceived it more for his
good, to rife by merit gradually to honour.
In this fituation, by excellent demeanour,
and diligent application to his ftudies, he
fo
* Auguftin Lindfell, A.M. Fellow of Clare Hall,
was born at Bumſted in Effex: bred Scholar and Fellow
in the faid Hall, where he became well ftudied in Greek,
Hebrew, and in all Antiquity. He was Prebendary of
Durham, and, by the favour of Ld. Treaſurer Portland,
Dean of Litchfield in 1628, Biſhop of Peterborough in
1632, and of Hereford in 1633. He was a man of very
great learning; of which he gave fufficient proof by ſet-
ting forth an excellent edition of Theophylact upon St.
Paul's Epiftles. Faft. Oxon. Vol. I. col. 198. Ed. 2.
F. P.
?
( 21 )
fo deported himſelf in all things, and to all
perfons, that he inſtantly gained the affec-
tions and applaufe of all who knew him,
performing all his exercifes with diftin-
guiſhed approbation.
Mr. Lindfell fpared not to make full
proof of his abilities, wifhing, as he was
uſed to exprefs himſelf, to fee his Infide, as
well as his Outfide. He therefore made
many trials of his abilities, which the reſt
of the Fellows thought unreaſonable; ſay-
ing it was a fhame to fpur a fleet horfe,
which already outwent the Rider's own
defire, and won every race he put him to.
When they urged that he required impoffi-
bilities, he would reply, content yourſelves
a little, you ſhall ſee what the boy can do,
and that too without much trouble. Theſe
proofs of wonderful abilities were conti-
nually repeated, and he thus went on from
day to day improving in all good learning.
His attention and diligence was ſuch, that
it was obſerved, his chamber might be
known by the candle that was laſt put out
B 3
at
( 22 )
at night, and the first lighted in the morn-
ing. Nor was he lefs diligent in his atten-
dance at Chapel, than at his ſtudies, ſo that
his piety and learning went on hand in
hand together.
In his fecond year he became Fellow-
Commoner, and being now every day more
and more the companion of the Fellows,
he every day became more and more eſteem-
ed by them. In 1610*, he took his de-
gree of Bachelor of Arts. At this time he
was appointed to make the fpeech on the
King's Coronation day (July 25) in the
College Hall; and the fame year he was
elected Fellow of that Society.
If we take a view of him at this period
when he became Fellow, we ſhall find that
his natural parts were wonderfully im-
proved, his memory fo enlarged and
ftrengthened, that he had read nothing of
worth,
*Nicolaus Ferrar, Aula Clarenfis A. B. Anno 1699
e Regiſt. Ac. Baker MS. F. P.
( 23 )
worth, but he had made it his own, and
could always inſtantly apply it to the pre-
fent occafion. He spoke alſo and wrote,
and argued with fuch ingenious dexterity
that very few indeed were equal to him.
Nevertheleſs he was ftill fo eager in the
purſuit of farther acquifitions, that Induſtry
and Genius feemed to be incorporated in
him. Nor was he more attentive to his
own inftruction, than to the happineſs of
all with whom he was concerned. For he
was a conſtant and indefatigable promoter
of Peace: and when any difference had
arifen, he had the art fo to win upon each
fide, that he would draw the contending
parties from their unfriendly reſolutions,
and reanimate and eſtabliſh harmony be-
tween them. Mr. Lindfell was uſed to fay
of him, May God keep him in a right
mind! For if he ſhould turn Schiſmatic, or
Heretic, he would make work for all the
world. Such a head, ſuch power of argu-
ment! fuch a tongue, and fuch a pen! fuch
a memory withal he hath, with ſuch inde-
fatigable pains, that, all theſe joined toge-
B 4
ther,
(
)
2424 )
ther, I know not
who would be able to
contend with him.
His conftitution was of feminine deli-
cacy, and he was very ſubject to aguiſh
diſorders; yet he bore them out in a great
meaſure by his temperance, and by a pecu-
liar courageouſneſs of ſpirit which was na-
tural to him. His favourite Sifter, married
to Mr. Collet, lived at Bourn Bridge, near
Cambridge. And as the air of Cambridge
was found not well to agree with him, he
made frequent excurfions to Bourn Bridge,
where he paſſed his time in the purſuit of
his ftudies, and in the inftruction of his
Sifter's children.
But his Tutor, Mr. Lindfell, Mr. Rug-
gle*, and others of the Fellows having
now
* Mr. Ruggle wrote the Latin comedy of Ignoramus,
which was ſeveral times acted before K. James I. at
Cambridge, and Royfton with great applauſe. At one
of which times the King cried out Treafon, Treaſon.
And being aſked what was the matter, faid, he believed
the Author, and the Actors together had a deſign to
make him laugh himſelf to death. Another time when
the
4
( 25 )
now apprehenfion of his health, carried him
to Dr. Butler, the celebrated Phyfician, of
Cambridge, who had been of Clare Hall,
and was a particular friend of Mr. Lindfell.
Dr. Butler conceived a great affection for
Mr. Ferrar, and exerted all his ſkill; yet
ftill the diſorder encreaſed more and more
upon him; and at length this good Phyfi-
cian ſaid, Why ſhould I give thee any more
preſcriptions? all I can do will not conquer
this diftemper. Alas! all I can fay is, you
muſt henceforth deal with this diforder
when it comes to you, as men do with beg-
gars,
Ah! faid the King
Scholar for a real
the King was feated, and expected the Scholars to per-
form, he was ſurpriſed with the found of a horn, and the
appearance of a Poft-boy, who faid that Ignoramus was
ready to perform his part, but that none of the Lawyers
would lend him a Gown to act in.
(who was deceived, and took the
Poft-boy) this is a plot of Cukes! (meaning the Ld. C.
Juftice Coke.) But if Cuke won't let the Lawyers lend
him a Gown, by my Saul, man, he fhall lend him his
own. This ſpeech of the King put the audience into an
exceeding merry humour, and the Play went on. But
it is ſuggeſted that the Play of Ignoramus acted at Cam-
bridge, 1614, occafioned Mr. Selden's hiſtory of Tithes
publiſhed, 1616, in order to be even with the Clergy.
See Loyd's Memoirs, Fol. p. 520. F.P.
( 26 )
gars, when they have a mind to difufe them
from their houſes, give them nothing but
let them go as they came. You muſt
through a ſpare diet, and great temperance
even all your life long, feek to be quit of
this unhappy companion: he muſt be ſtarv-
ed away.
For fome time after this Mr. Ferrar grew
better, but foon relapfed again, and in the
autumn of 1612, he began to grow very
ill. His friends now feared he would not
get over the winter. Dr. Butler ſaid, I can
do no more for him, the laft remedy, or
hope I can give you is from the change of
air. He must go in the ſpring to travel.
I doubt not but I can keep him up this
winter, and if travel recover him not, no-
thing will. Befides, it is high time his
mind be taken off from theſe his inceffant
ſtudies; theſe alone, if he be permitted to
go on, will ſpeedily deſtroy his conſtitution.
The courſe I propoſe may prolong his life
till he is thirty five years of age; but longer,
in my judgment, it will not laft. In the
mean
(
27 )
mean time he will live to do great Good.
And think not that his time ſpent in travel
will be loft; no: depend upon it he will
improve himſelf greatly. Mr. Lindfell go
your way; think of it: perfuade his parents
to it. I can fay no more to you. Let him
go next spring. I will take care of him
this winter. And fo he did moſt affection-
ately *.
Mr.
* Dr. Butler was one of the moſt celebrated Phyſi-
cians of his time; the King it is faid wiſhed him to
attend the Prince of Wales in his laft illness. He fur-
vived his friendly care of Mr. Ferrar but a few years:
as appears from the inſcription upon his monument in
Great St. Mary's Church, Cambridge.
Gulielmus Butlerus, Clarenfis Aulæ quondam focius
Medicorum omnium, quos præfens vidit ætas, facile Princeps
Hoc fub marmore fecundum Chrifti adventum expectat.
Ei monumentum hoc privata pietas ftatuit, quod debuit publica.
Abi, Viator,ad tuos reverfus,narra te vidiffe locum in quoSalus jacet.
Nil proh! marmor agis Butlerum dum tegis, illum
Si fplendore tuo Nomen habere putas.
Ille tibi monumentum, tu digneris ab illo,
Butleri vivis munere Marmor iners.
Sic homines vivus, fic mira, mortuus, arte
Phœbo chare ſenex, vivere faxa facis.
In a ſmall braſs Plate below
Butlero Heroum hoc pofuere Dolorq; Fideſq;
Hei! quid agam exclamas et palles, Lector? at unum
Quod miferis fupereffe poteft, locus hic monet, Ora,
Obiit 1617. Jan: 29. Ætatis fuæ 83.
Round his Buft
Nunc pofitis Novus exuviis.
Monuta Aug: by J. Le Neve. Vol. IV. p. 64.
>
( 28 )
Mr. Ferrar was now almoſt ſeven years
ftanding in the Univerſity, and was to take
his Maſter of Arts degree at the enſuing
Midfummer, 1613; and he had already per-
formed with great credit all his previous
exercifes.
·
It being made known to the Heads of
the Univerſity that he was to travel, and to
have the opportunity of going with that
noble company which then went with the
Lady Elizabeth to conduct her to the Pa-
latinate with the Palfgrave her huſband, it
was propounded that he might have the
favour of Cap, and Hood immediately,
though before the uſual time, ſo as to be
compleat Maſter of Arts, before his depar-
ture, which was readily granted, and im-
mediately his Graces were given him†,
And now many came to preſent their
moſt affectionate wishes to him for health
and happineſs in his travels. And thus he
bad Cambridge Adieu!
Being
+ Nicolaus Ferrar, Aula Clarenfis A. M. anno 1613.
e Regif. Ac.-T. Baker,
1
( 29 )
Being come to the end of Mr. Ferrar's
Academical Life, I will here infert a Letter
from Dr. Byng, a còtemporary in the fame
fociety, as a collateral teftimony of his un-
common abilities and exemplary conduct
during the whole time of his Collegiate
Education.
Dr. Rob. Byng to Mr. Barnabas Oley.
Sir,
Concerning the requeft in your fecond
Letter, I wish I was as able as I am willing
to deliver the choiceſt virtues of our dear
and worthy friend Mr. N. Ferrar unto po-
fterity: whom as I truly loved whilſt he
lived, fo I am one that ſhall ever honour
his bleffed memory.
As for the time of his admiffion into our
College of Clare Hall, he was, as I did then
gueſs by his ftature and dimenſions about
thirteen years of age, when yet his deport-
ment was ſuch as fpake him more a man
than many are at four and twenty: there
was
( 30 )
was ſo ſweet a mixture in him of gravity
with affibility, and modeſty with civility.
After the commendable performances of
his Acts in Scholis Publicis, it pleaſed the
Univerſity to grace him with the degree of
Bachelor of Arts. And his worth was fo
well known in the College, that he was ſe-
lected to make the Qration upon the Coro-
nation day (as I remember) after his pro-
ceeding; which he performed with great
applauſe. And the then Maſter of the Col-
lege, Dr. Smith, was thereupon fo taken
with him, that he was pleaſed to aſk a near
friend of his, whether the young Gentle-
man did intend to continue in the life of a
Scholar. And receiving anfwer, that it was
his fettled refolution, he was not nice to
exprefs his good opinion of him to be fuch
as he thought him well worthy to be elected
into our Society. Wherein he fhewed him-
ſelf to be moſt real, by making choice of
him at the very next election, with the
unanimous confent of all the Co-electors
then preſent at the meeting for that purpoſę.
From
( 31 )
From that time to the taking of his next
degree he was a conſtant Reſident with us
in our College; during which ſpace his
comportment was ſuch in all refpects, as
that it was exemplary not only to his Puif-
nes, and Compeers, but to many who were
much his Antients, who were all fo much
pleaſed with his company, as that they
thought themſelves happieſt, who moſt en-
joyed it.
As he was ever a moft conftant Student,
fo none more careful to give his attendance
on the College Chapel at times of Prayer,
where he did fo frequently officiate * him-
ſelf in perſon, as if he had been the College
Conduct, and bound to perform that exer-
cife ex officio. Whereas he was tied there-
unto only for a week when it came to his
turn.
Soon
* Mr. Ferrar was not yet in Deacons orders: ſo that
this account of his officiating in the Chapel, muſt be
admitted as a fault of the Times: too many perfons in
thoſe days taking upon them both to read the Service,
and to preach before they went into Orders. F. P.
( 32 )
Soon after his admiffion ad incipiendum
in artibus (to the beſt of my remembrance)
and before his creation in majoribus comi-
tiis (having obtained leave both from his
parents and the College) he began his tra-
vels into foreign parts. Where, how long
he continued, his brother Mr. John Ferrar
can beſt inform you. But fo well did he
improve the time that he ſpent therein, as
that befide the knowledge which he had
gained in the principal of the Weſtern
Languages, Low and High Dutch, Italian,
French and Spaniſh, he was able to make
relation obfervable of the moſt remarkable
paffages which had been incident to any of
thofe places where he had made any confi-
derable abode: as myſelf, with many others
who had the happineſs to hear him dif-
courſe thereof, can give due teftimony.
From the time of his return unto the
College, as he continued ever an indefati-
gable Student, fo he was an extraordinary
Proficient, as having attained within a few
years unto that degree of knowledge in
Divinity,
( 33 )
Divinity, that he did not only overtake, but
get the ſtart of many who were much his
antients, and fuch as were worthily held in
reputation for their great learning by the
ableft Divines both in the College and the
Univerſity. Which was the leſs to be won-
dered at in our worthy friend, becauſe as
he was of a very ſharp wit, and moſt clear
comprehenfion, ſo alſo of a moſt ſolid judg-
ment, and retaining memory. By means
whereof he could fully render the refultance
of any author he had gone through, as
myſelf can testify amongst others of his
conforts. In which reſpect as he had not
many peers, fo he had few who could com-
pare with him for his exact ſkill in the
Book of Books, the Holy Scriptures; which
he made from his cradle, as I may ſay, fo
familiar to him by his daily and diligent
reading, and meditating thereon, as that he
was able to turn readily to any place with-
out the help of a Concordance.
Certes, Sir, to give him his due Com-
mendation, I may truly fay that he was
Homo
C
( 34 )
Homo perpaucorum hominum, et ad omnia
natus.
In all which reſpects as he was eminent
whilſt he was a Commorant in the Univer-
fity, fo he gave full demonftration thereof
to his deareſt and neareſt friends at Little
Gidding, where in his laſt and beſt times
he was a burning and a fhining Light.
And therefore I advife the writer* of his
Life to repair to fuch of his friends as are
there yet living, who are able to furniſh
him with fuch ftore of choice materials,
and fo exactly fquared unto his hands as
they will both head and bed (as our coun-
try maſons uſed to ſpeak) in the goodly
ftructure which he is now erecting for the
prefervation of his precious memory here
on earth, who now ſhines more gloriouſly
inter ftellas primæ magnitudinis among the
ever-bleffed Saints in the higheſt heavens.
Tuus ex amino
Afhlington Com. Wilts
Idibus Septembris 1654.
Robertus Byng.
To
*This paffage fhews that Mr. Barnabas Oley knew
the perfon who intended to write the Life of Mr. Ferrar,
and that Mr. Oley himself was not the Writer. F. P.
( 35 )
To his much reſpected friend Mr. Oley,
at Mr. Garthwaites, Stationer, at the North
door of St. Pauls. Theſe prefent.
All things being fettled with refpect to
his going abroad, Mr. Ferrar left the fol-
lowing written Farewel to his family,
which his mother found in his ſtudy a few
days after he was gone.
་
"Since there is nothing more certain
than Death, nor more uncertain than the
time when; I have thought it the firſt and
chiefeſt wiſdom for a man to prepare him-
ſelf for that which muſt one day come, and
always be ready for that which may every
hour happen: eſpecially confidering how
dangerous any error is here, which cannot
be amended: neither is any one the nearer to
Death for having prepared for it. It is
then a thing of exceeding madneſs and folly
to be negligent in fo weighty a matter, in
reſpect whereof all other things are trifles.
I here confeſs my own wretchedneſs and
folly in this, that through the common
hope
C 2
( 30 )
hope of youth, I have fet Death far from
me: and perfuading myſelf that I had a
long way to go, have walked more carelefily
than I ought. The good Lord God be
merciful unto me.
Indeed I have a long way to run, if
Death ſtood ftill at the end of threeſcore
years: but God knows if he be not running
againſt me, if he be not ready to graſp me,
eſpecially confidering the many dangers
wherein I am now to hazard myſelf, in
every one whereof Death dwells. If God
be mercifull to me, and bring me ſafe home
again, I will all the days of my life ſerve
him in his Tabernacle, and in his holy
Sanctuary.
I hope he who hath begun this mind in
me will continue it, and make me to walk
fo as I may be always ready for him, when
he fhall come either in the public judgment
of all the world, or in private judgment to
me by Death. This is my purpoſe and this
fhall be my labour.
And
( 37 )
And you, my moft dear Parents, if God
ſhall take me from you, I beseech you be of
good comfort, and be not grieved at my
Death, which I undoubtedly hope fhall be
to me the beginning of Eternal Happineſs.
It was God that gave me to you, and if he
take me from you, be not only content but
joyfull that I am delivered from the vale of
mifery. This God that hath kept me ever
fince I was born, will preferve me to the
end, and will give me grace to live in his
faith, to die in his favour, to reft in his
peace, to riſe in his power, and to reign in
his glory.
I know, my moft dear parents, your ten-
der affections towards your children, and
fear your grief if God take me away. I
therefore write and leave this, that you
might know your fon's eftate, and affure
yourſelves that though he be dead to you,
yet he is alive to God.
I now moſt humbly befeech you to par-
don me in whatfoever I may have at any
time
с з
( 38 )
time diſpleaſed you: and I pray God to bleſs
and keep you: to give you a happy Life
here, and everlaſting in the world to come.
Your moſt humble and obedient Son
N. Ferrar.
Poſtſcript,
My dearest brothers and fifters, If I live
you ſhall find me a faithfull and loving bro-
ther unto you all: if I die, I beseech you
by the fear of God, by the duty to your
parents, by the bond of nature, by the love
you bear
bear me, that you all agree in perfect
love and amity; and account every one the
other's burthen to be his; fo may plenty
and profperity dwell among you. So prays
your faithfull and loving brother
N. Ferrar.
If I die, I defire that the value of 5£. of
my books may be given to the College: the
reft I leave to my Fathers and Mothers dif-
pofing: yet I defire that in them my worthy
Tutor Lindfel and Cofin Theophilus may
be remembered: and if
any of my fifters
fons
( 39 )
fons prove a ſcholar, the reft may be given to
him.
This 10th day of April, being Sunday.”
His parents confent, and the College li-
cenſe obtained, and the favour of the Uni-
verfity granted with refpect to his degree,
Mr. Ferrar prepared to fet out upon his
travels. A courſe of life undertaken upon
Dr. Butler's counfel, for the reſtoration of
his health, and to take him off from his in-
ceffant application to his ftudies. He alfo
himſelf had a defire to fee foreign countries.
for the farther acquifition of Knowledge.
And as he well underſtood the grounds of
the Proteſtant Religion, and was convinced
of its truth on Scriptural Authority, as he
had read moſt of the Fathers, and Contro-
verfial Writings between the Church of
England and the Church of Rome, and as
he had a memory fo retentive, that he for-
got nothing which he had read, but was
able at all times, to bring it forth, and ap-
ply it to the prefent occafion, being thus
armed before hand againſt whatever might
C 4
occur,
29.
( 40 )
}
occur, and relying wholly upon the mercy
of God to protect him, with the moſt vir-
tuous refolutions of heart he fet out upon
his travels.
His Tutor Lindfell folemnly proteſted
that had he not perfectly known his won-
derful abilities and uncommon virtue, he
ſhould not in theſe fo tender years of his
pupil have been a promoter of his travel-
ling in the manner he did, all alone; but
would have provided fome worthy tutor to
attend him. He knew that in all virtue
Nicholas Ferrar was an old man, fo firmly
fixed in his religious principles that there
was no fear of his being feduced by any
thing that he ſhould hear or fee. He knew
that the ſtock of learning, wiſdom and reli-
gion which he carried out with him, would
be encreaſed at his return.
With thefe encouragements did Mr.
Lindfell appeaſe the fears and tender anxie-
ties of his parents at parting with him: for
they bad him farewel under the dread of
}
never
( 41 )
never ſeeing him again. And indeed not
without reaſon: for he was then far from
being recovered of his aguiſh diforder: but
Dr. Butler faid the Sea would remove it,
and they would foon hear that he was
freed from his infirmity.
Sometime before this, Dr. Scot*, the
King's fub-almoner, was made Mafter of
Clare Hall, in the place of Dr. Smith + re-
moved to be Provoſt of Kings. He con-
ceived a high reſpect and affection for Ni-
cholas Ferrar, and undertook that he ſhould
be introduced to the Lady Elizabeth, to go
in her company and retinue; fhe being now
ready to depart with the Prince Palſgrave
her huſband, who were to go firſt to Zea-
land, then to Holland, and from thence home
to the Palatinate. Dr. Scot therefore took
Mr. Ferrar to Court, to kifs her Royal
Highness'
*Rob. Scot S.T.P. was made Maſter of Clare Hall
in 1612; inftalled Dean of Rocheſter July 13, 1615, and
died in December, 1620. Le Neve.
+ William Smith S.T.P. Mafter of Clare Hall, was
made Provoſt of Kings, Auguſt 22, 1612, and died
Mar. 26, 1615. Le Neve. F. P.
( 42 )
Highneſs' hand: not now in the garb of a
Scholar, but habited as one of the Gentle-
men who belonged to her. As for him he
took no delight in thefe gay garments, but
fubmitted from a fenfe of propriety to be
thus clad, and to fatisfy his friends more
than himſelf. Dr. Scot alfo introduced
him, and procured him the knowledge and
acquaintance of the whole attendance of
the Engliſh Courtiers who then went with
the Lady Elizabeth.
Being now provided with his bills of Ex-
change, he went in the ſame ſhip with the
Maſter of the Green Cloth, who took an
eſpecial liking to him. They arrived hap-
pily at Fluſhing, where the Royal Fleet
landed their Paffengers. And in this voyage
Mr. Ferrar found the benefit of the Sea air,
which, as Dr. Butler told him it would,
cleared him of all the remains of his diſorder.
At Middleburgh the Lady Elizabeth was
highly entertained and feaſted with all her
noble attendants; and Mr. Ferrar as one of
her Gentlemen wanted for no marks of due
notice
:
1
( 43 )
(43
notice and reſpect. Here he made ftrict
obfervation of every thing worth feeing, and
gained a fufficient acquaintance with the
Language to ſerve him for all ordinary af-
fairs and occafions. From thence the Lady
Elizabeth paffed on from city to city in all
which ſhe was received with great honour,
and came to the Hague: from thence to
Amfterdam, where fhe was more magnifi-
cently entertained than at any former place.
In all theſe towns Mr. Ferrar vifited the
feveral meeting houſes of the Browniſts,
Anabaptiſts, and other Proteftant Diffen-
ters, both to obferve their manners and
teaching, and to fee if all were anſwerable
to his own former reading. At all which
times he noted their errors, and greatly
confirmed himſelf in his own opinions. The
Jews Synagogue likewife he left not unfeen,
and their orders. But that which chiefly
attracted his notice at Amfterdam was their
Gueſt, or Almfhouſes, where young chil-
dren of both fexes are brought up to learn
Handicrafts. Here he got particular infor-
mation of all their proceedings, and very
liberally
y
( 44 )
liberally rewarded the attendants. He par-
ticularly admired the ftatelineſs, and neat-
nefs of the Dutch in thefe public Edifices,
and the wonderful good orders and rules by
which they are governed. He alſo vifited
their Churches, heard their fermons, and
attended all their religious rites and cere-
monies. He next obſerved their magazines
for all forts of ftores: their innumerable
boats and ſhips, and noted the different
way of building from ours in the ſtructure
of their War fhips. Ours he perceived
were ſtronger made, but theirs formed with
more advantage for fpeedy failing *. He
was alſo charmed with their cleanlineſs and
the many good orders every where obferved
to that intent. And he obſerved that the
whole nation kept their houſes elegantly
neat in all places. When he came to his
lodgings he regularly entered all his obfer-
vations in a book which he kept for that
purpoſe.
The
*It should be here recollected that this obfervation
was made in the year 1613.
( 45 )
*
The Princess Royal now directed her
courſe towards the Palatinate, which was
different from the route intended by Mr.
Ferrar, who had refolved to paſs through
the lower parts of Weftphalia, and ſo to
Bremen, Staad, Hamburgh, Lunenburgh,
Lubeck, Leipfic, and fo on to the upper
parts of Germany. This his determination
he made known to the Lady Elizabeth's
chief attendants, who warmly preffed him
to accompany them to Heidelburg, the
Pallgrave's Court, and chief city of the Pa-
latinate. They told him that her Highneſs
had taken ſuch good notice of him herſelf,
and had heard ſo much of him from the
commendations of others, that if he fought
preferment by his travels, he might now,
even at the firſt, make a very fair ſtep to-
wards it. There was no doubt but he
might be made her Secretary, that ſhe
would think him well worthy of that place,
and might recommend him to a better. He
humbly thanked them for their good opi-
nion, but aſſured them they were miſtaken
in his abilities. He was then introduced
to
( 46 )
to her Royal Highneſs, and kiffed her hand,
who bad him farewel, and wifhed him much
happineſs in his travels.
Mr. Ferrar now fet forward on his jour-
ney from Amfterdam to Hamburgh, and
on his way thither he travelled for fome
time with a perſon for his guide, who had
but one eye. After fome days travel they
paffed by a wood, where was a Gibbet and
fome Bodies hanging in chains. Now, faid
the poſtman, Sir, look yonder, thoſe villains
there hanging, fome years fince fet upon my
waggon, wherein were an Engliſh youth,
and a Hamburgh merchant, then newly
come out of Spain. The rogues carried us
into that wood in a cold frofty morning and
ſtripped us: and they found good Gold tied
up in the ſhirts of the Gentlemen who had
travelled with me, which they took, then
drank up our wine, and went away laugh-
ing. But fometime after, they, ſtill uſing
the fame trade, fet upon another waggon,
whoſe paſſengers made fome reſiſtance, when
they ſhot three of them dead in the wag-
gon,
(
47 )
gon, and then fled. They were afterwards
taken and there hanged as you fee. Your
hiftory is true, faid Mr. Ferrar, for that
Engliſh youth was my brother. He has
told me this ſtory himſelf. And when I
firſt ſaw you, I knew you to be the Poft-
man with whom he travelled, for he de-
fcribed you as having but one eye.
At length he arrived at Hamburgh, where
the Factors of the Merchant Adventurers
were refident, to whom his father and bro-
ther were well known. Here he found
freſh bills of Exchange, and letters from his
father to Mr. Gore, his old acquaintance,
and then deputy Governor of the Company;
who received Mr. Ferrar with great friend-
ſhip and reſpect, and provided a convenient
lodging for him. During his ftay here he
procured a Scholar of the country to attend
him daily at his lodgings, and inſtruct him
in the High Dutch language, in which he
made fuch a proficiency as to be of great
ſervice in the courſe of his travels. Here
alſo in the afternoon he ſpent ſome hours
in
( 48 )
in examining the curiofities in this city;
and in the places adjacent. And here he
informed himſelf by reading the hiſtories in
the Dutch language, and by diſcourſe with
men of learning in the place, of the ori-
ginal of this and the neighbouring cities:
of their ſeveral forts of Government: their
Religion: Ecclefiaftical Eſtabliſhment: their
Trades: their Commerce: the nature and
difpofition of the People, and their parti-
cular virtues and vices.
A method of paffing time in travel which
may with great propriety be recommended
to the imitation of our modern travellers;
who, it is to be feared, do not ſpend their
time either in fo laudable a manner or to
fuch beneficial purpoſes.
From Hamburgh Mr. Ferrar travelled up
the country through many cities, at each of
which he ftaid a fufficient time to fee, and
make obfervations upon all things worthy
of notice, which he regularly entered into
his book for that uſe in ſhort hand.
In
( 49 )
very
In this manner he paffed up to the Uni-
verſity of Leipfic in Saxony: where, having
proper letters of credit, he refolved to abide
for fome time, both to perfect himſelf in
the High Dutch language, and to gain alfo
what other knowledge and learning he
could in that place; and to acquaint him-
ſelf with the manner of ordering all things
in that Univerfity. He lodged himſelf
therefore in a principal houſe of that city,
which by a friend's help he obtained per-
miffion to do; and the people there were
civil and courteous to him. The Eng-
liſh factors fhewed him much reſpect, and
were greatly delighted with his pleaſant
difpofition and temper. And they were the
more taken with him when they ſaw that
he would not upon any terms drink wine
or any ftrong drink, and had alſo obſerved
his
great temperance in all things, and that
he was very humble and meek in his beha-
viour. Yet ftill they faw him gallant and
rich in apparel. But that faſhion of drefs
his parents thought was the beſt for him
to make use of in his travels, that fo, ac-
cording
D
A
( 50 )
cording to the mode of the world, he might
have the eaſier admittance into all places,
and all refpectable company.
At Leipfic he made enquiry after all the
ableſt Scholars in every art and ſcience in
that Univerſity, who could be procured for
money to teach him; and he paid them all
moſt liberally, and far beyond their expecta-
tions. From thefe circumſtances he was
thought to be fome perfon of great account.
Theſe his feveral tutors coming to him at
fet times, and on ſeveral days, and his per-
fonal reforting with the utmoſt diligence to
all the Exercifes performed in the Public
Schools, made him to be very much no-
ticed. He gained great reputation for his
uncommon abilities, his diligence, and his
fweet deportment; his extraordinary quick-
neſs in attaining whatſoever he fet himſelf
to, the elegant Latin which he fpake with
the utmoſt readineſs, and his abundant
knowledge in feveral forts of learning. The
univerfal admiration he obtained was alfo
much heightened by his being fo very
young.
1
( 51 )
young. His acquaintance was defired by all
the learned men of that Univerſity: and he
being free in all courteſy to enter into dif
courſe with them, many every day reſorted
to him. But finding that this took up too
much of his time, he privately retired into
lodgings in a village in the neighbourhood,
and there enjoyed a better opportunity to
follow the ſtudies he had refolved upon;
his tutors attending him there as they had
done before. And here he paffed ſome time
in reading over the beſt authors who had
written on the German nation, and in ac-
quainting himſelf with the Nature of the
Government, Laws, and Cuſtoms.
The connection of the English factors
at Leipfic with their Principals at home,
fcon tranfmitted the fame of Nicholas Fer-
rar to England, who was deemed and re-
preſented as a perfon who had fome great
intent in his mind, but that it was feared
by all that he could not live to be a man of
any confiderable years.
D 2
As
( 52 )
As on one hand his parents could not
but rejoice on hearing theſe accounts, ſo on
the other they could not help fearing that
his extreme application might, though at
prefent he was in perfect health, neverthe-
leſs decay his ſtrength, and ſhorten his life.
They therefore exhorted him to curb his
too diligent mind, and to abate of his incef-
fant ftudies, for that they would allow him
what time and money he would for his ex-
pences.
Having now learned what he could at
Leipfic, he departed from thence for
Prague, and there he abode a confiderable
time, till he was able to converſe fluently in
the High Dutch language. From thence
he wandered up and down, to every great
place here and there, fometimes backwards,
fometimes forward, vifiting Augfburg, Straf-
burg, Nuremburg, Ulme, Spires, the Em-
peror's Court, and fo from one Prince's
Court to another, obferving every where
their manner of living, and ſpending their
time; what magazines of arms they had;
•
what
( 53 )
what retinues they kept; what their incomes
were: from whence they had their origin;
what had been their revolutions; and accu-
rately noting down whatever Germany had
in any place worth recording. There being
alſo in ſeveral parts of Germany very inge-
nious handicrafts of various forts, in all
theſe he acquired a confiderable degree of
knowledge. So that there was ſcarce any
trade, art, ſkill or ſcience concerning which
he could not diſcourſe to the aſtoniſhment
even of the Profeffors themſelves in their
reſpective profeffions. He was mafter alfo
of the technical terms of their feveral myſte-
ries, and could ſpeak properly to them in
their own dialect. He could expreſs all
thoſe things that belong to War, Soldiery,
and Arms, all that belong to Ships, and Na-
vigation, and was perfect in all the Mari-
ners peculiar phrafes, and in all the parti-
cularities of every trade and occupation in
common life. And in truth all this with-
out any great care or trouble. For his pe-
netration was fo acute, and his memory fo
vaft, and retentive; that every thing he
read,
D3
( 54 )
read, or heard, or faw was all his own, and
he could instantly apply it to the occafion
that preſented itſelf, as all who knew him
found by daily proof.
From Germany, Nicholas Ferrar bent his
courſe for Italy. But the Plague being at
that time in many towns of Germany, when
he came into the Venetian territories, he
was obliged to remain thirty days in one.
place in a Lazaretto, where he was ſhut up
for public fecurity; but was allowed a
chamber to himſelf. Here he had leiſure
to recollect all thofe things, which to that
time had paffed in his travels; to review his
notes and obfervations, which he had before
all along put into fhort hand; and to digeſt
them into better order for his future uſe.
Here alfo he had time to meditate what he
was to do in Italy; how to order himſelf
and his future life to the beſt advantage to
attain his ſeveral ends in travel. Having
compleated the thirty days of his confine-
ment, and being again at liberty to profe-
cute his journey, it may not be amiſs to
relate
( 55 )
relate a remarkable eſcape he had upon the
road between Prague and Padua. As he
rode one day upon fome very narrow and
dangerous paffages of the Alps, his guide
being fomewhat before him, fuddenly from
the ſide of a hill came an aſs laden with a
great piece of timber. The paffage down
the hill was extremely narrow, on one fide
very high and precipitous above him, and
on the other alſo precipitouſly ſteep and
fearful, fo that if any man fell, nothing but
immediate death could be expected. The
timber did not lie, as at firft laid on,
lengthwife, but quite acrofs the afs's back,
and reached the whole breadth of the paſs
from one fide to the other, and the beaſt
came down the hill apace. The Guide
who was advanced a few yards, and had
paffed the narrow crevice through which
the aſs came into the common road, feeing
Mr. Ferrar's fituation, cried out in terror.
The man's exclamation caufed Mr. Ferrar
to look
up, who was carefully regarding his
horſe's ſteps, and was then upon the extreme
brink of the precipice. There was but a
D 4
moment
( 56 )
moment between him and certain deftrue-
tion; when in that moment, juft as the
beaſt came upon him the tripped, and by
that motion the timber was turned the right
way as it was at firft laid on. Mr. Fer-
rar then fuddenly ftopping his horfe upon
the very edge of the precipice, there ſtood
ftill, till, as it pleaſed God, the beaſt went
quietly on with her burthen, and paffed
him without any harm but a flight ſtroke
from the timber. After this providential
efcape, for which he returned his moſt de-
vout thanks to God, he proceeded on his
road to Padua, and ſo on to Venice without
any other diſaſter.
At Venice Mr. Ferrar found letters of
recommendation directed for Sir Dudley
Carleton, at that time the Engliſh Ambaſ-
fador there, which he prefented to him,
who moſt courteouſly embraced him, fay-
ing, I have a long time expected your com-
ing to Venice; for I have received feveral
letters from many noble perfonages con-
cerning you. And now, Sir, affure yourſelf
that
( 57 )
that wherein I may in any kind befriend
you, I ſhall moft gladly do it. The Am-
baſſador then cauſed him to dine with him,
and invited him, he faid, once for all to do
fo every day. Mr. Ferrar frequently re-
paired to him that he might inform himſelf
from fo eminent a perfon of thoſe things
that might be of ſervice to him in his future
travels.
Having now ftaid a convenient time at
Venice, he returned to Padua, which be-
fore, he had only paffed through, but now
refolved to ſettle there for fome time; in
order to perfect himſelf in all the learning
and knowledge to be attained in that Uni-
verfity. Here therefore he procured tutors
in thoſe ſciences in which he intended to be
farther inſtructed. And he won their high-
eſt admiration at his ingenious questions
and anſwers, his ready apprehenfion, his
earneſt proſecution, and his wonderful pro-
ficiency, in fo many and ſuch various ſtu-
dies, which at the ſame time feemed to him
no other than fo many feveral recreations.
His
( 58 )
}
His acquaintance was courted by all the
learned men in the Univerfity, but particu-
larly by the moſt eminent Phyſicians; as he
beſtowed uncommon diligence in the pur-
fuit of Medical Knowledge. And this he
did from a double motive, both becauſe he
held the Phyfic Fellowship at Clare Hall,
and alſo on account of the infirm, and pre-
carious ſtate of his own health: in which
reſpect a proper proficiency in the ſcience
of Medicine might be peculiarly ſerviceable
to him. And now his friendſhip with the
Paduan Phyſicians, and their high eſteem
and great love for him, was of fingular be-
nefit to him: for he fell very dangerouſly ill
of a diforder, which in all human probabi-
lity would have proved fatal, had it not
been for their watchful care, and moſt ten-
der attentions.
It has been fuggefted by Mr. Archdeacon
Oley*, that ſome of theſe Paduan Phyſicians,
during Mr. Ferrar's illneſs endeavoured to
feduce him to Popery: as alſo, that upon
his
*Poftfcript to Mr. Herbert's Country Parfon. F.P,
:
J
ļ
1
( 59 )
his recovery from this illneſs, he made a
vow of perpetual celibacy: and that he
would upon his return to England, as ſoon
as he could conveniently, fettle his affairs
for that purpoſe, and endeavour to ſpend
the remainder of his life in a religious retire-
ment. But of theſe articles I do not find
fufficient evidence: yet if the latter be true,
it will account for a very remarkable inſtance
of felfdenial, which will occur in the future
part of his Life.
While Mr. Ferrar continued thus at Pa-
dua, to eſtabliſh his health, and purſue his
ſtudies, he had an opportunity of exerciſing
his great faculty in quieting a troubled
mind. For now an English Gentleman
came thither, who by the impious cuſtom
of duelling had killed another, and had fled
from his country to avoid the puniſhment
which the Laws adjudge to Murtherers.
He was under the deepeſt melancholy, but
concealed the cauſe of his uneafinefs. At
length however he acquainted Mr. Ferrar
with his misfortune, declaring his great
con-
( 60 )
1
contrition, and fincere repentance; and be-
feeching him to give him counſel and com-
fort. Mr. Ferrar by his fpiritual confola-
tions, his perfuafive arguments, and won-
derful power over the human mind, at
length made the unhappy fufferer more eaſy
and compoſed, and confirmed him in the
hope of forgiveneſs. And this event laid
the foundation of a fincere and moſt affec-
tionate friendſhip between them *.
Mr. Ferrar thus paffing his time between
Venice and Padua in a courſe of learning
and virtue, and in the moſt laudable pur-
fuits, he was much fought after, and viſited
by the Engliſh who were then alſo on their
travels; who were delighted with his con-
verfation, notwithſtanding that his way of
Life and manner of thinking were very dif-
ferent from their own: and they would
often
*This unfortunate Gentleman is the perſon who in
the original MS. is frequently referred to as Mr. G.
In the Chriſtian Magazine he is exprefsly called Mr,
Garton; on what authority I know not, but ſuppoſe that
Dr. Turner had proper reaſon for inferting the name at
length.
( 61 )
often ingenuouſly confeſs that he was cer-
tainly in the right way, and that they could
not but wiſh they could live as he lived.
Theſe Gentlemen on their return to Eng-
land ſpoke of him in the higheſt terms of
applauſe to their reſpective families and
connections. The Italian merchants alfo
and the Engliſh factors refident in different
parts of Italy, with whom he had tranfac-
tions on money concerns, all wrote of him
to their correſpondents in England, with
the warmest commendations, confidering
him as one who had ſome great object in
view, and would fometime appear to the
world poffeffed of very extraordinary talents.
Thus his reputation became general, on
the Exchange, in the City, at Court, and all
over the Country he was univerfally known
and univerſally admired.
Having now finiſhed his intended ſtudies,
having traverſed all Italy, and become inti-
mately acquainted with every place of con-
ſequence, being perfect maſter of the Italian
language,
(62.
( 62 )
:
language, both for writing and difcourfe,
having an accurate knowledge of all their
Laws, Cuſtoms, Manners, Doctrines, and
Practices, Civil, and Ecclefiaftic, and hav-
ing made the beſt uſe of every thing he had
heard, read, or feen, and being determined
as to his future plan of conduct, he re-
folved at laſt to pay a vifit to Imperial
Rome. He knew indeed before he went
thither, as much of that celebrated City,
both antient and modern, as could be
learned from hiftory, and from converfation
with many perfons of great judgment and
obfervation, who had lately been there: but
he was defirous to confirm what he had
learned by information from others, by his
own obſervation. But having been well
informed that fince he came into Italy,
there had been a particular account of him
fent to Rome, of the College of which he
was Fellow in Cambridge, of his degrees,
and his acquifitions in learning, and parti-
cularly that his perfon had been defcribed
in all points to the College of Jefuits there;
the manner alſo in which he had ſpent his
t
A
time
( 63 )
time in Italy, with the general conjecture,
that he furely had fome farther end in tra-
velling, than other Gentlemen ordinarily
have: all this duly confidered made him
keep his intention very private. For he
forefaw that without great caution fome mif-
chief might probably befal him. Changing
his habit therefore for fuch a dreſs as he
thought was moft proper for his diſguiſe,
and ſafety, he fet forward concealing the
time when, and keeping the place from
whence he came always unknown to all but
one trufty friend only, the unfortunate Mr.
G.- who, whatever fhould befal him in
that journey, might give an account of him
to his family. He travelled on foot, and
contrived his bufinefs fo that he came to
Rome on the Monday before Eaſter; and
during his ſtay there, he every day changed
his lodgings, coming in late and going out
early: and as to his repaſt, ſuch as it was,
he took that alſo fometimes at one place,
fometimes at another, and fometimes at
none at all. He ftaid at Rome about ten
days, and in that time he fo improved his
oppor-
( 64 )
opportunities as that he fatisfied himſelf in
feeing all that he defired. But the parti-
culars need not be here recited, as they may
be found in many other books upon this
fubject.
From Rome he returned to Venice, not
acquainting any one where he had been.
At his return he was welcomed home by
the Engliſh Gentlemen, and all his other
acquaintance; as was the cuſtom with them
at other times, after his other excurfions.
In one of theſe, he went to fee the Chapel
of Loretto. From thence he went to Malta,
where one of the Knights conceiving a par-
ticular friendſhip for him, at their parting
defired his acceptance of one of the rich
Croffes worn by the brethren of that Order,
entreating him to keep it for his ſake; and
thus exchanging mutual good wifhes and
benedictions, Mr. Ferrar returned again to
Venice.
And now intending at length to leave
Italy, he went from Venice to Marſeilles,
pur-
( 65 )
f
purpofing after he had paffed fufficient time
in that city, for vifiting what was remark-
able there and in the parts adjacent, to take
ſhip there and fail from thence to Spain.
But at Marſeilles he fell dangerouſly ill,
being fuddenly feized with a violent fever,
which daily grew worfe and worfe. And
what added to his misfortune, he knew no
one in the place, nor had he any of his
former acquaintance with him. In this
diſtreſs he ſent for the moſt celebrated Phy-
fician in the city, and trufted himſelf en-
tirely to his care. He was very regular in
his atttendance, and was very careful of
him. His hoft alfo and hoftefs where he
lodged fhewed great tenderneſs and atten-
tion to him.
The firſt day he was taken ill he wrote
to his much-loved friend whom he had left
at Venice, the unfortunate Mr. G. to whom
he had promiſed to give information of his
arrival at Marfeilles. In this letter he ac-
quainted him that he was beginning to
E
grow
M
( 66 )
1
grow ill, and feared his illneſs would prove
both long and dangerous. Nor was he
miſtaken, for his illneſs continued thirty
four days, and his Phyfician was for a long
time in abfolute defpair of his life. This
made his attendants defirous to know who
he was, which Mr. Ferrar induſtriouſly
concealed. But one day, as they were look-
ing amongſt his things for fomething he had
called for, carefully wrapped up in a little
box, was diſcovered the rich crofs which
was prefented to him by his friend the
Knight of Malta, at his departure from
that Iſland. At fight of this, the hoſt and
hoftefs, and the Phyfician prefently con-
culded that he was a Knight of that Order,
who was travelling unknown, and they ear-
neſtly entreated him no longer to conceal
himſelf. Mr. Ferrar in vain endeavoured
to convince them of the mistake, affuring
them that he was only a private Gentleman,
travelling for amufement and inſtruction;
for the more he affirmed this, the more they
were confirmed in their own opinion. His
diforder ſtill continuing exceffive, the Phy-
fician
( 67 )
67)
fician had given him up for loft. But at
the very moment when all hope was gone,
a favourable crifis took place; and though
he was extremely weak, and reduced to the
loweſt degree, yet he foon appeared to be in
a fair
way of recovery.
And now word was brought to him that
there was a Gentleman below, juſt arrived
from Venice, who demanded to fee him.
They who know what true Friendſhip is,
need not to be informed that this perfon
could be no other than his dear and unfor-
tunate friend Mr. G. When he came into
Mr. Ferrar's room, and beheld his friend
lying on the bed of fickneſs, fo pale, weak,
and reduced, he burst into tears. His
friend was equally affected, feeing him fo
unexpectedly. They mutually embraced,
and a long, and affectionately expreffive
filence enfued: for their hearts were fo full,
that neither could for fome time fpeak to
the other. At length Mr. Ferrar told him
how welcome he was to him, who but yef-
terday expected never to fee him more.
E 2
Mr.
( 68 )
Mr. G. replied, that on the receipt of his
letter he became fo deeply afflicted, that
he could not reft, day or night, till he
fhould fee him. That if he fhould find
him ſtill fick, he might abide with him and
take care of him: that if he fhould die, he
might perform the due honours of burial;
and that if he ſhould recover, he might re-
joice with him on that happy occafion, and
in every reſpect fhew him that unfeigned
friendſhip which was justly due to his un-
common virtue.
As a fincere and affectionate friend is
perhaps the moſt effectual medicine that
can be adminiſtered to the fick, fo by the
endearing attentions of the benevolent Mr.
G. Mr. Ferrar every day advanced apace
in his recovery. And when he was thought
to be out of danger, Mr. G. faid he muſt
at laſt bid him farewel, and return to Ve-
nice. Yes, faid Mr. Ferrar, you ſhall now
return to Venice, but I will return with
you. For as you have been fo very kind as
to come ſo far to take care of me when I
was
( 69 )
was ill, and have likewiſe ſtaid ſo long with
me, it is but juſtice, and the leaſt return I
can make, to ſee you ſafe back; nor would
he take any refuſal; and fo they returned
together to Venice. From this place Mr.
Ferrar immediately gave his parents an ac-
count of his cruel fickneſs, and his recovery
at Marſeilles in a very affectionate letter
bearing date April, 1616.
Having ſtaid at Venice till he was per-
fectly recovered, and his ftrength thoroughly
recruited, he took his laft leave of all his
friends and acquaintance there; but parti-
cularly of his dear friend Mr. G. who at
their parting prefented him with an excel-
lent and coftly Rapier, faying that perhaps
it might be of uſe to him in his future tra-
vels, and wiſhed him to keep it as a tefti-
mony of his friendship. And now theſe
dear friends with the warmest affection bad
each other Adieu! For in the gulph of Ve-
nice a ſmall Engliſh veffel was ready to fail
for Spain, and Mr. Ferrar refolved to take
his paffage in her, that fo he might travel
through
E 3
( 70 )
through Spain, and fee that kingdom,
after which he purpofed in like manner to
fee France, and fo return home.
The fhip, in which Mr. Ferrar left Ve-
nice, carried only ten pieces of Ordnance,
but was overloaded, though there were no
paffengers but himſelf. They had not been
long at Sea, before a large fhip, a Turkiſh
pirate, gave them chace, and gained ſpeedily
upon them. And there being fome diffe-
rence of opinion between the officers, and
mariners, whether they ought to yield, or
fight it out; they referred their doubts to
Mr. Ferrar, who had ſtood filent among
them attending to their debate. They ſaid,
this young Gentleman has a life to lofe, as
well as we; let us hear what he thinks of
the matter. For from his firft coming on
board, upon difcourfe with him, they had
taken a great liking to him, perceiving that
he had great ſkill in maritime affairs,
Mr. Ferrar being thus applied to in form
for his opinion, refolutely told them that
they
( 71 )
they ought to fight it out, and put their
trust in God. That it was better to die
valiantly, than be carried into flavery.
That God could eaſily deliver them, and he
hoped would not ſuffer them to fall into the
hands of their enemy. He then put them
in mind of the many Sea engagements at-
chieved by their countrymen, in which the
victory had been gained againſt fuperior
numbers. Thus encouraged, his words
were fo prevalent, that with all ſpeed they
made ready to defend themſelves, commit-
ting their cauſe to the protection of God.
And to fhew that they were not deficient in
Engliſh ſpirit, they, having the advantage
of the wind, and a fit opportunity, deter-
mined to give their enemy a broadfide:
when, lo! juſt as the mafter was giving the
word to the Gunner to fire, the Turkish
ſhip, to their great aftonishment, fell off,
and ſteered away from them with all the
fail fhe could make. They foon perceived
that this unexpected movement was from the
diſcovery of another fhip, which, they fup-
pofed, was thought to be a better booty.
E 4.
The
( 72 )
The Tark being gone they proceeded on
their voyage, and without any farther diffi-
culty arrived at their deftined port in Spain.
Soon after his arrival, Mr. Ferrar deter-
mined to ſee Madrid, and the King's Court,
and whatever elfe was worth notice in that
part of the Country. But having ſpent
fometime at Madrid, he had alſo ſpent al-
moſt all the money which he brought with
him from Venice. He therefore made en-
quiry whether there were any bills of ex-
change, or letters for him, directed to fome
of the Engliſh merchants in that city, but
could not hear of any; for he had reached
Madrid long before his father thought he
could be there. In making this enquiry, he
carried the matter fo, as if it was for a Gen-
tleman of the name of Ferrar, who, he ex-
pected would be there about that time: for
he was refolved, if poffible, not to diſcover
himſelf. But it happened that a Mr,
Wyche, the ſon of a merchant, a particular
friend of Mr. Ferrar's father, was at that
time at Madrid. And he being informed
that
( 73 )
that this young Gentleman and ſtranger
made frequent enquiry after one of the
name of Ferrar, kept an obſervant eye upon
him. And perceiving fomething very ex-
traordinary in his genteel deportment, in
the wiſdom, and the wit of his converſa-
tion, and his great knowledge in languages,
he concluded him to be fome perſon of
high faſhion, who was defirous to travel
unknown: and thereupon, both himſelf, and
all the Engliſh eſtabliſhed there, made
him an offer of all the civilities in their
power.
But as he was now at a ſtand how to
proceed, and what courfe to take in order
to paſs through Spain, and then through
France home, and being uneafy that no
bills of exchange were come for ſuch a one
as he enquired after, he fuddenly determin-
ed to travel no farther at preſent; but im-
mediately to make the beſt of his way to
England, and in order to this, to travel on
foot as well he could to St. Sebaſtians, and
there take fhip for his native country.
In
( 74 )
In preparation for this expedition, as he
ftill refolved, if poffible, to keep himſelf
unknown, he privately fold his cloak, and
fome jewels which he had by him, to fup-
ply his prefent occafions, and provide for
his future wants in his journey. At quit-
ting Madrid he took leave of Mr. Wyche,
and the other Engliſh merchants, with ac-
knowledgments of their many civilities to
him. At which time Mr. Wyche made him
an offer of what money he might want,
which Mr. Ferrar politely declined.
And now he fet forward on foot, with
the rich Rapier in his hand prefented to
him by his dear friend Mr. G. without a
cloak, in his doublet and caffock. And
with many a weary ftep, and very few accom-
modations, he purſued his journey, till he
found his feet after a few days travelling on
the hot fands of that country to (furbate.
orig. MS.) become quite wearied, and the
fkin to come off, fo that it was exceffively
painful to him to proceed. One night his
hoſteſs where he lodged, feeing he was a
young
( 75 )
young foot traveller, and that he fuffered
greatly from the torment of his feet, pre-
ſcribed to him to bathe and ſteep his feet for
a confiderable time in a bowl of fack which
fhe brought for that purpoſe. This gave
him immediate eafe, and enabled him to
proceed comfortably on his journey the
next morning, and by future applications
prevented all future inconveniences of that
fort.
His reafon for travelling always with his
Rapier in his hand, was not only to be in-
ſtantly upon his defence in caſe of any fud-
den attack, but that he might alſo paſs the
more readily in all places as a young Gen-
tleman Soldier, going towards Flanders to
ferve the King of Spain, under Spinola.
And upon the way at all fit times, and
places, as he travelled, he feemed to be very
inquifitive about Spinola, and what he was
doing in Flanders; fo that all with whom
he had any diſcourſe of this fort, took him
for an Italian. But at one place where he
paffed the night, the Governor being in-
formed
( 76 )
formed of a ſtranger, who lodged in the
town, examined him ftrictly in many parti-
culars. And Mr. Ferrar made him fuch
wary anſwers, that he
farther to ſay to him.
was at a loss what
At laft cafting his
eyes upon the Rapier, he told him that
coftly Rapier was unbefitting him, for he
knew not how he came by it, and therefore
he would have it from him. Mr. Ferrar
told him he muſt pardon him in not part-
ing with his weapon, which a Soldier ought
to preſerve as his life; adding that it was
given him by a dear and worthy friend, who
enjoined him to keep it, and that he was
determined fo to do. But this did not fatisfy
the Governor, who told him that ftout as
he was he ſhould deliver the Rapier to him
before he departed, or he would make him
repent his refuſal. Mr. Ferrar replied, that
he hoped there was more juſtice to be found
every where in Spain, than to take by force
an innocent traveller's weapon from him.
That he had not in any thing offended
Cæfar, or his laws, or the cuftoms of his
country fince he was in it, and that he
would
我
​( 77 )
would be cautious not to do ſo during the
remainder of his ſtay. That he came very
lately from the King's Court, and that he
had friends there who would not ſuffer him
to receive any wrong. From this wife and
refolute anſwer, his determined behaviour,
and a ftile of language fo far above his out-
ward appearance, the ſtanders by concluded
him to be fome other man than his habit
declared, and adviſed the Governor to med-
dle no more with him about the Rapier.
Who, then addreffing himſelf to Mr. Fer-
rar, ſaid, Well, I perceive you are a young
Italian Gentleman, and enquire after our
affairs in Flanders, and after the Marquis
Spinola your countryman, to whom I un-
derſtand you are going. I like well your
weapon, which in truth is moſt handfome
and foldier-like; and fo he difmiffed him to
proceed on his journey.
While Mr. Ferrar travelled thus alone
over a great part of Spain, he walked once
half a day without ſeeing any body, and was
therefore obliged to guefs at his way, by
the
( 78 )
}
.
1
the beſt obſervation he could make to pro-
ceed ſtraight forward from the place where
he had lodged the night before. And it
being now near evening, he perceived that
the road he was in led him to a very high
hill, which at length he with no ſmall pains
and difficulty afcended: and being arrived
at the top, he there found a round plat of
level ground, of confiderable magnitude,
encompaffed entirely with rocks of a pro-
digious height, and extremely fteep on
every fide, neither could he difcern any path-
way, except that by which he had afcended,
to lead him out from this rocky encloſure,
and thereby encourage him to go forward.
At the fight of this he was much trou-
bled, thinking he had wholly miſtaken the
hill which he had been directed to afcend,
and that he muſt at laſt take up his un-
houſed lodging there that night. Being
thus perplexed, and not knowing what to
do, he devoutly knelt down, and prayed to
God to protect and direct him. Then ex-
amining with careful anxiety all parts, to
C
fee
і
( 79 )
fee if he could find any way to help him
forward in his journey, for it was too late
to think of returning, he eſpied a large
black hog, come haftily running out from
a narrow crevice or cleft in the rock, and
immediately diſappear again. But he with
his eyes obferved, and with his feet made all
poffible hafte to follow and fee what was
become of the beaft. For he conceived
hopes that it might be fome tame animal,
now in the evening returning to its home,
and confequently, that poffibly there was
fome dwelling houfe not far off. Prefently
he faw the fame creature again, now run-
ning at the farther end of the level plain
down the fide of the hill. And, coming to
the spot, he perceived a hollow, covered
paffage, cut into the folid rock, and at fome
diſtance within this hollow, a fort of win-
dow or air-hole, to give light and air to this
fubterranean paffage. Refolving therefore to
follow the animal which he plainly ſaw to
enter this cavity, after fometime, and very
cautious treading, he found a turning which
grew at every ftep more and more dark.
Yet
( 80 )
Yet ſtopping a little while, liftening, and
ſtill looking and venturing flowly more for-
ward, he diſcerned, as he thought, a glim-
mering of more light at a diſtance. So he
went on, and found it to be another win-
dow or air-hole, cut like the former
through the folid rock to give farther light
to the fubterranean paffage. Thus
Thus pro-
ceeding onwards, in the fame manner, and
under the fame difagreeable circumſtances,
he at length plainly perceived that this
paffage was a way to fome fubterranean
habitation, cut by human labour into the
heart of the rock. Thereupon, liſtening,
and proceeding with caution, he fancied that
he heard the voices of people talking at no
great diſtance. Refolving therefore to go
forward again, he found at length that
there was indeed a fort of houſe in the very
fubftance of the rock, and that it was a
harbour, or place of entertainment for paſ-
fengers who travelled that way.
Coming into the room he faluted the
hoft, and the people who were there; and
fitting
.}
( 81 )
fitting down he called for bread and wine,
and then began to difcourfe with them
how hard it was to find the way to them;
which, they faid, to a ftranger muſt be in-
deed extremely difficult; but was not ſo to
thoſe who were acquainted with the turns
and windings of that fubterranean laby-
rinth. He then called for more wine to
waſh, and bathe his feet. Which done,
after ſome communication of ordinary mat-
ters, fuch as travellers uſe with their hofts,
he made ſtrict obfervation of the diſpoſition
and manners of the people in the houſe,
and found great reaſon not very well to like
them: but now there was no remedy.
As for the people, they thought him to
be a young Italian foldier, going to the
Marquis Spinola. For that way his con-
verfation much tended, and fhewed that he
was well acquainted with all the military
tranfactions in Flanders with the Holland-
ers. At length he told them that he was
very weary and very fleepy, and, if they
pleaſed, would lie down upon a bench, and
F
take
( 82 )
take ſome reſt. For that, he pretended, was
his custom when he travelled, in order to
inure himſelf to hardſhips.
Thereupon they fhewed him into another
room within the cavern; and Mr. Ferrar,
not laying his Rapier away, but keeping it
cloſe to him, lay down to fleep. But he
was ſcarce laid down, when two lufty, ruf-
fian looking fellows, and a young woman
came into the room. Mr. Ferrar heard and
faw them, but lay ftill, as if he was faft
aſleep. The men then demanded of the
people of the houfe, Who is this here, who
lies fleeping upon the bench? they anſwer-
ed, we know not, he is lately come in very
weary, and ſays he is a young Italian fol-
dier, who is going into Flanders, to ferve
under Spinola. And then they entered into
fome converſation in a very low voice,
which Mr. Ferrar could not hear.
After this they fat down at a table at the
farther end of the room, and in a bold man-
ner began to call for various things, and in
drink-
( 83 )
She
drinking their wine they difcourfed of diffe-
rent matters, and at length grew very mer-
ry. But at last one of the fellows went
out, and after a fhort time came in again,
and then after ſome flight and fooliſh words
began to quarrel with the woman.
gave him as croſs words in return, and
their other companion taking her part,
from words they came to blows, and began
to lay hands on the woman. Whereupon
the crying out, the hoft came running in,
but inſtead of being appeaſed by him, they
grew more and more fierce. All this Mr.
Ferrar heard and faw, but appeared as if he
was in a found fleep, and kept his hand faſt
upon his Rapier. They called to him for
help, but he regarded not their brawling,
ftill making as if he was dead aſleep.
Therefore as he continued to lie ftill, and
ſeemed to take no notice of them, their
contention ceaſed, and they all went out of
the room in very friendly terms together.
Mr. Ferrar faw all this was done to pro-
voke him to rife, and take one part or
F 2.
other,
( 84
()
84 other, that fo they might have quarrelled
with him, and carried into execution fome
bad deſign againſt him. But he heard no
more of them; and not being able to ſleep,
he roſe at day break, and made haſte away,
giving God thanks for his eſcape out of
their hands.
After his eſcape from this fubterranean
abode, having travelled five hundred miles
in Spain, in the heat of fummer, alone, and
on foot, making his obfervations on the
country, its curiofities, and productions,
and on the diſpoſitions, and manners of the
people, he at length arrived fafely at St. Se-
baſtians. Here he found a fhip ready to
fail for England, but waiting for a fair
wind. In this interval he received great
civilities from the Captain of the veſſel, and
from all the Engliſh fettled at that place.
At length the wind came fair, and after a
few days happy paffage he landed at Dover,
where he returned his fincere thanks to
God for bringing him in health and ſafety
to his native country.
1
We
( 85 )
We are now no longer to confider Mr.
Ferrar as a young Gentleman travelling
for amuſement and inſtruction, diſplaying
every where uncommon abilities, illuftrious
virtue, and indefatigable induſtry, exciting
the higheſt admiration, and receiving in
every country univerfal applaufe; but we
fhall now fee him the man of buſineſs, ap-
plying with unwearied attention the great
talents with which God had bleffed him, to
important negociations both of a private,
and a public nature,
His return was at a very critical time.
For one branch of his family was in great
diſtreſs, and ſtood in need of his care and
wiſdom. His brother John Ferrar was
likewiſe entered into a great public employ-
ment, by which he became engaged in
many affairs which required his affiftance.
For Sir Edwyn Sandys being chofen Go-
♦ernor of the Virginia Company, Mr. John
Ferrar was made King's Counſel for that
plantation. He therefore left the manage-
ment of his concerns in merchandiſe to his
friends
F 3
ki
( 86 )
friends and partners. And the Virginia
courts after this were kept at the houſe of
Mr. Ferrar the father: who from his fingu-
lar affection for that honourable company,
himſelf being one of the firft adventurers of
that plantation, and the Somers Inlands,
allowed them the uſe of his great hall, and
other beſt rooms of his houſe to hold their
weekly and daily meetings. Many other
things both of public and private concern-
ment, now on foot, ſeemed equally to call
for the prefence and aſſiſtance of Mr. N.
Ferrar. For (not to ſpeak of public mat-
ters) to all human appearance, without his
advice, diligence, and great wiſdom in ma-
naging the private affairs of his family at
this critical juncture, there had been great
danger not only of much loſs in many par-
ticulars, but even of the overthrow and
ruin of his elder brother.
Immediately after his arrival at Dover
Mr. Ferrar rode poſt to London; and find-
ing the door of his father's houſe open, he
entered with his rich Rapier at his fide, ar-
rayed
t
(87
( 87 )
rayed only in his caffock, and doublet, and
juft in the manner as he had travelled from
Madrid to St. Sebaftians.
The meeting between the worthy parents
and their beloved fon, whom they had not
ſeen for five years, and whom they had ex-
pected never to have ſeen again, was mutu-
ally affectionate and endearing to the high-
eſt degree, and may more eaſily be imagined
than deſcribed. This his unexpected and
much wiſhed for return was in the year
1618; he himſelf being then twenty fix,
his father feventy two, and his mother fixty
two years of age.
He foon fhewed himſelf upon the Ex-
change, and in perfon returned his thanks
to thoſe merchants by whofe factors he had
received his remittances, and many local
civilities. He was now much noticed both
for the beauty of his perfon, and for his
many eminent qualities: and all his friends
foon found that the accounts they had re-
ceived of his worth and wiſdom from
abroad
F 4
( 88 )
!
abroad had not been exaggerated, but that
his virtues, and his accompliſhments fur-
paffed all report, and all expectation.
In his travels through Holland, Germany,
Italy, and Spain, Mr. Ferrar purchaſed
many rare articles of curiofity, many ſcarce
and valuable books, and learned treatiſes in
the languages of thoſe different countries.
In collecting which he certainly had a prin-
cipal eye to thoſe which treated the ſubjects
of a Spiritual Life, Devotion, and Religious
retirement. He bought alfo a very great
number of Prints engraved by the beſt
maſters of that time; all relative to hifto-
rical paffages of the old and new Teſtament.
Indeed he let nothing of this fort that was
valuable eſcape him. And this great trea-
fure of Rarities, Books, and Prints, upon
his return home, he had the fatisfaction to
find were fafely arrived there before him.
Very little indeed of this treaſure is now
remaining. The Ferrar family being firm
in their loyalty to the King, their houſe at
Gid-
1
( 89 )
Gidding was plundered in the Civil Wars;
and in a wanton devaſtation, all theſe things
periſhed, except fome of the Prints, not of
great value, ſtill in poſſeſſion of the Editor.
It now comes in the order of time to
ſpeak of the great hand which Mr. N. Fer-
rar had, immediately after his return, in the
management of the affairs of the Virginia
Company; in which, by his prudent con-
duct, he got through many and great diffi-
culties with high credit and reputation.
From this relation it will appear what great
power Gondomar the Spaniſh Ambaffador
then had in England; and how by his ex-
traordinary craft and various intrigues he
in the end wrought upon a weak prince to
ſuppreſs one of the moſt flouriſhing com-
panies for Commerce in England. And it
may poffibly give the reader fome fatisfac-
tion to ſee ſome of his fubtle proceedings
here unravelled; as this affair is hardly
touched upon by any
upon by any other Author*.
Soon after Mr. Ferrar's return, Sir Edwyn
Sandys
*This was faid about the year 1654.
( 90 )
Sandys who had heard a high character of
him from many who had known him in
Italy, fought his acquaintance; and being
exceedingly taken with his great abilities,
took the first opportunity to make him
known to the Earl of Southampton, and
the other principal members of the Virginia
Company. In a very little time he was
made one of a particular committee in fome
buſineſs of great importance; whereby the
company having fufficient proof of his ex-
traordinary abilities, at the next general
court it was propofed and agreed that he
ſhould be King's Counſel for the Virginia
plantation in the place of his brother John,
who was then made the Deputy Governor.
And when his name, according to cuſtom,
was entered in the Lord Chamberlain's
book, Sir Edwyn Sandys took care to ac-
quaint that Lord. with his uncommon
worth: which indeed daily more and more
appeared in every thing he undertook: and
as he wanted no ability, fo he fpared no
diligence in ordering all their affairs of con-
fequence. And thus he became deeply en-
gaged
( 91 )
gaged in cares of a public nature. Yet his
own inclinations at his return led him ra-
ther to think of fettling himſelf again at
Cambridge, to which he was the more in-
duced, as he ſtill held the Phyſic Fellowſhip
in Clare Hall. But this he now faw could
not be done. Befides, his parents, now
grown old, requeſted their beloved ſon to
remain with them. Therefore all he could
obtain in this refpect from them, and from
his buſineſs, was the liberty now and then
to paſs a few days with his old acquaintance
and friends ſtill remaining in Cambridge.
At this time, 1619, Mr. Henry Briggs*,
the
*Henry Briggs, one of the moſt admired Mathemati-
cians of his time, born in an obfcure hamlet called
Warley Wood in the pariſh of Halifax, was a Fellow of
St. John's College, Cambridge, and was preferred to
be the firſt Geometry Reader in Gresham College in
1596; where continuing about twenty three years, Sir
Henry Savile defired him to accept of his Lecture in
Oxford. Whereupon going to Oxford in 1619 †, and
fettling in Merton College as a Gentleman Commoner,
he
It ſhould be 1620, for, as Mr. John Ward, Rhetoric Pro,
feffor at Gresham College, informs me, Mr. Briggs refigned pot
his Profefforfhip till July 25, 1629. F. P.
( 92 )
the celebrated Mathematician, and Reader
of Geometry at Grefham College, and one
of the Virginia Company, being about to
leave London, and fettle at Oxford as Savi-
lian Profeffor there, recommended it to the
Mercer's Company, who had the gift of
that Profefforſhip, that they fhould by all
means offer the place to Mr. Ferrar upon
his own terms, faying, That he was the
ableft Proficient he knew in that Science.
The offer was made accordingly, which Mr.
Ferrar modeftly declined, faying his friend
Mr. Briggs was much miſtaken in him, and
that his affection and goodneſs to him had
miſled his judgment. He therefore prayed
them to appoint fome more worthy perſon;
but that for himſelf, though he declined the
intended honour, he would always be ready
to ferve the city of London, and the mag-
nificent foundation of Sir Tho. Grefham,
to
he kept that Lecture to the time of his death, Jan. 26,
1630, and was buried in the Choir there, under the
honorary monument of Sir Henry Savile. His name
ftands in the public regifter of that College as Vir doc-
trina clarus, Stupor Mathematicorum, Moribus ac Vita
integerrimus. Ath. Ox. Vol. I. Col. 550.
( 93 ).
to the utmoſt of his power.-(Thus the
original MS.) ‡.
While Sir Edwyn Sandys continued Go-
vernor,
Mr. John Ferrar, author of the original MS. is
under a miſtake here as to the perfons to whom Mr.
Briggs recommended Nicholas Ferrar; and Mr. Ward
helps me to ſet this matter right.
"Sir Tho. Gresham by his will left his manfion houſe
"for the purpoſes of a College; and with it the Royal
"Exchange, by the revenues of which it was to be fup-
"ported. This donation was committed to the care
"and truft of the two Corporations of the city of Lon-
c don, and Mercer's Company, who were to receive
"the profits in moieties, and apply them amongſt other
"things, to the maintenance of ſeven Profeſſors. Four
"of theſe, Divinity, Aftronomy, Geometry, and Mufic
"were to be chofen by the City; and the other three,
"Law, Phyfic, and Rhetoric, by the Mercers. Indeed
"the management of this truft in thoſe things wherein
"their common intereft is concerned hath always been
"carried on by a joint Committee of the two Bodies.
"But the election of the Profeffors hath always been
"made feparately by that part of the Committee of each
"Corporation, to whom the choice of the feveral Pro-
"feffors was by the will reſpectively appointed. As
"Mr. Briggs therefore was himſelf chofen by the City,
❝he could never go to the Mercers to recommend Mr.
"Ferrar to their choice: nor could the Mafter and
"Wardens of that Company offer him a Profefforfhip,
"to which the City only had a right to elect him." So
far Mr. Ward, F. P.
( 94 )
vernor, the reputation of the Virginia Com-
pany roſe very high under his prudent ma-
nagement. But having now ſerved his year,
and being by the general voice intended to
have been elected again, by fome fecret
power at Court, all the meaſures were
broken that had been before taken for that
purpoſe.
It was appointed by the charter of the
Company that there fhould be every year in
Eafter term a new election of a Treaſurer or
Governor, and a Deputy, and that no man
fhould hold either of thoſe places more than
three years. This election was now in-
tended to be made by ballot, a method in-
troduced by Sir Edwyn Sandys, as moſt
likely to fecure a free election. A general
court day being appointed, and the day and
hour of election being come, there were af-
fembled near upon twenty great Peers of
the land; near a hundred of the moſt emi-
nent Knights of the kingdom, of gallant
Gentlemen many Colonels and Captains,
and renowned Lawyers near a hundred
more,
( 95 )
more, and of the most worthy citizens a
very reſpectable affembly. So that the
court confifted of near five hundred perfons
of feveral ranks, and quality. Every thing
being prepared, the three perfons who were
to be candidates for the place of Governor,
were now to be named by the Company.
The three perfons being agreed upon, the
name of Sir Edwyn Sanyds was firſt ſet up,
and as this was doing, a Lord of the Bed-
chamber and another Courtier ftood up,
and declared to the court that it was the
King's pleaſure not to have Sir Edwyn San-
dys chofen; and becauſe he would not infringe
their right of election he would nominate
three perfons, and permit the company to
chooſe one of them.
At this unexpected meſſage there was for
a confiderable time a deep filence, every
man preſent ſtanding in amazement at this
violent invafion of their Rights, this breach
of their Charter and ftretch of Tyrannic
power. At length fome at the lower end of
the Hall ftood up, and prayed that the
Cour-
i
( 96 )
t
Courtiers having delivered their meffage,
and confequently having nothing more to
fay, might withdraw, till the company had
refolved what to do.
CC
The Earl of Southampton (Henry Wri-
othfley) then ſtood up and faid, "For my
part, Gentlemen, I like not this motion,
"let the Noble Gentlemen if they pleaſe keep
"their places, and fit and hear the opinions
"of the company, that fo they may be
"both ear and eye witneffes of our actions,
"and words, and may themſelves by theſe
means truly inform his Majefty of our
"fair and juftifiable way of proceeding in
"this weighty buſineſs: a buſineſs of the
higheſt concernment both in reſpect of
"his Majefty, and in reſpect of the com-
pany. In refpect of his Majeſty, whom
CC
66
we know to be fo just a King, that he may
" underſtand what privileges he hath grant-
"ed us by his Letters Patent, under the
"Great Seal of England: on the credit and
authority of which Letters, we have ad-
"vanced and adventured one hundred thou
"fand
( 97 )
*C
<<
fand pounds of our own eftates: and in
reſpect of the company, who have gained
"fo hopefull a country, which they have
bought, and compounded for with the
Natives, and which when once well peo-
pled by English Colonies, will find full
employment for all needy people in this
"land, who now begin to fwarm in this bleſſed
"time of peace under his Majefty's happy
""
(C
reign; will provide eſtates likewiſe for all
"the younger brothers, Gentlemen of this
Kingdom; and alfo a ready and laſting
"fupply to this Nation of thoſe commodi-
ties which in our preſent condition we are
"fain to fetch from foreign nations, from
"doubtfull friends, yea from heathen
princes. Theſe circumftances, I fay,
fairly confidered, make this a buſineſs of
"ſo great concernment, that it never can
"be too folemnly, too thoroughly, or too
publickly examined.”
ἐσ
<<
Lord Southampton having thus fpoken
fat down, and after fome filence Sir Lau-
rence Hyde, the learned Lawyer, next roſe
G
up
3
( 98 )
up
"C
and faid, "May it pleaſe this honourable
Society, I for my part not only agree to
"that motion now made by the noble Earl
"who ſpoke laſt, but alſo defire the com-
(c
pany not only to permit, but even to in-
"treat these worthy meſſengers of the King to
ſtay in our Court, and I will be thus far-
"ther bold to break the ice, and to give
<c
you my opinion that the firſt ſtep we
ought to take in this ferious buſineſs now
"in hand ſhould be to cauſe the Patent, as
"the foundation of all our proceedings, to
"be here immediately produced, and red,
"before this honourable affembly, and theſe
×
worthy Gentlemen the King's meſſengers.
"And then both we and they ſhall all ſoon
"be fatisfied in the extent of our privi-
"C
ledges, and in the ftrength of his Majeſty's
"Grant, which he hath made to us under
"the Great Seal of England, and under the
"hand and honour of a King."
Thereupon, all inftantly cried out, The
Patent! The Patent! God fave the King.
The Patent was then openly and diftinctly
read by the Secretary.
After
( 99 )
After which Sir Laurence Hyde ftood up
again and faid, "Gentlemen, I pray you all
"to obferve well the words of the Patent
in the point of electing a Governor. You
"fee it is thereby left to your own free
"choice. This I take it is fo very plain
"and evident, that we fhall not need fo fay
'
any thing more to it. And no doubt
"theſe Gentlemen, when we ſhall have
"done our duty, and they depart, will give
"his Majeſty a juft information of the cafe,
" and undeceive him in the unjuſt miſre-
prefentations which have been given him
" in this point."
k
The reſt of the many Lawyers who were
there concurred in opinion with Sir Lau-
rence Hyde, and the Court voted that they
ſhould now immediately proceed to election.
When a friend of Sir Edwyn Sandys, Sir
Rob. Phillips, who fat behind him, and to
whom Sir Edwyn had whiſpered, ſtood up
and craved of them before they proceeded,
to hear him a word, or two, and then ſaid,
G 2
I fhall
( 100
100 )
1
"I fhall confent that we go to an elec-
"tion out of hand, becauſe it is the buſineſs
"of the day, and if we do it not now, we
may thereby in my opinion forfeit our
"Patent; and alſo that we may by fo doing,
"ſhew our duty to the King, in order to
fatisfy him in all that we may: which, as
"I am inftructed by this worthy Gentle-
man your late Governor, may be done, if
you will out of your own judgments, at
prefent forbear to ſet up his name (whom
"I perceive you all think and know moſt
worthy to be continued in that office)
" and put up two or three names of the per-
<<
cc
fons recommended by his Majeſty. And
"let theſe managers themſelves, if they
"think fit, nominate which two they pleaſe.
"And in order in fome degree to preſerve
(c
your own priviledges, do you then name
"a third perfon. And then let all theſe three
66
names be fet upon the balloting box, and
"fo go to the election in God's name, and
"let his will be done."
Thereupon with a general acclamation,
not
}
2
( 101 )
1
}
not one voice againſt it, the whole court
cried out Southampton! Southampton! At
which my Lord of Southampton roſe up to
ſpeak. But they again cried out, The time
is almoſt paſt, we moſt humbly beſeech
your Lordſhip not to interrupt our pro-
ceedings.
The King's meffengers then faid, they
muſt confefs that the company proceeded
wifely; and that if they had the nomination
of two out of the three, as Sir Rob. Phillips
propofed, they doubted not but his Majefty
would be fatisfied. For as Sir Edwyn San-
dys had wifely waved his intereft, if the
King defired no more than that he might not
be chofen, the courſe propofed to be taken
was likely to pleaſe him. And fo they pro-
ceeded to the ballot; when of the two per-
fons nominated by the King's meffengers,
one of them had only one ball, and the other
but two. The Earl of Southampton had
all the reft. Lord Southampton then took
the chair, and they proceeded to the choice
of a Deputy, when Mr. John Ferrar was
chofen
G 3
( 102 )
choſen by the fame majority; of that large
company, confifting of near, five hundred
perfons, only three diffenting. And thus
began the year 1620.
The Earl of Southampton, now elected
Governor of the Virginia Company, had a
particular friendſhip with Sir Edwyn San-
dys, and took this office conditionally that
his friend fhould continue his advice and
affiftance in the buſineſs of the company.
So that there were now three very able men
engaged, Lord Southampton *, Sir Edwyn
Sandy's
*This Earl who had been converted from Popery by
Sir Edwyn Sandys, was in the 40 Eliz. in the voyage
with the Earl of Effex to Cadiz. And the next year
accompanying him to Ireland, was made Gen. of Horſe
in the army there. But from that command he was
fhortly after by the Queen's ſpecial appointment remov,
ed. Whereupon he returned with the E. of Effex into
England, and went fpeedily into the Netherlands,
Whence being foon recalled, he confederated with Effex
in his defperate projects, appearing with him in the in-
furrection he then made in London. For which being
firft impriſoned in Lambeth houſe, and afterwards in the
Tower, he was brought to his trial by his Peers; Tho.
Lord Buckhurst, being conftituted Lord High Steward
for that occafion. Where excufing himself as to any
evil
( 193 )
Sandys, and Mr. Nicholas Ferrar. Lord
South-
evil defign, he implored the Queen's mercy, which he
afterwards obtained. For though he was found guilty
of that traiterous attempt, laid to the charge of Effex
and his accomplices, no execution was done upon him.
So that eſcaping that perillous rock, he was in the 1ft of
James I. restored by act of Parliament, and enlarged of
his impriſonment: and upon the 2d of July next inſtalled
a Knight of the Garter. He departed this life in the
Netherlands, Nov. 10, 1624, and was buried at Titch-
field +, Dugdale Baron. of Eng. Vol. II. p. 384.
This account of Dugdale agrees with the account in
Camden's Annals of Eliz. as will appear from the fol-
lowing fhort extract from that moſt refpectable Author.
Effexius in Hiberniam proficifcens, inter navigandum
adverfa tempeftate in Hiberniam appulit, et ftatim, con-
tra ac in mandatis habuit Henricum Comitem Southamp.
Equitibus præfecit. Tom. II. p. 177.
Regina acriter objurgarat, quod contra ac imperarat
Southamptonium Equitum præfectura non abdicaffet,
p. 181.
Tota illa nocte emiffi ex Effexianis ædibus difcurfa-
bant, qui amicis fignificarunt Cobhamum et Raleighum
Effexii vitæ infidiari. Hinc ad eum benè mane die domi-
nico qui 8 Februarii erat, Comites Rutlandiæ, et South-
amptoniæ
+ The Earl of Southampton and his ſon Lord Wriothſley, at
their winter quarters at Rofendale, were both feized with burn-
ing fevers. The fon died; and the father overcoming the
fever, departed from Rofendale with intention to bring his
fon's body to England, but died at Bergen op Zoon; and both
the bodies were brought in the fame bark to Southampton and
buried at Titchfield. Wilfon. See Rapin. Jam, 1, 1624, i note.
G4
( 104 )
Southampton celebrated for wisdom, elo
quence,
amptoniæ et melioris notæ nobiles plus minus 300 con-
Auunt. p. 222.
Effexius et Southamptonius judicio fiftuntur: læfæ
Majeftatis deinde poftulantur, quod Reginam folio et vita
deturbare machinati fint. p. 229.
Southamptonius miti oratione, et imprimis modefta,
culpam ex amore in Effexium contractam, fubmiffe re-
fpondet. Se toto die gladium non ftrinxiffe: Edictum
quo Rebelles denunțiati erant non audiviffe: effulmationes
ex ædibus Effexianis, quoad poterat, prohibuiffe, id.
Effexius Pares obteftatur ut Reginam pro Southamp
tonio qui benè mereri poffet, intercederent. id.
1
Southamptonius Reginæ mifericordiam demiffiffime
efflagitat, rurfus proteftatus fe nefariam in Reginam co-
gitationem nunquam concepiffe, adeo fuavi oratione, et
ingenua modeftia, ut omnium aftantuim animos ad mife-
ricordiam commoveret. id.
Seneschallus gravi habita oratione, Sententiam funeft-
am pronuntiavit. Hæc, quibus interfui fide incorrupta
memoravi. id.
The Earl of Effex was beheaded.
The Earl of Southampton was kept in prifon. Ra-
pin. 1601.
In 1603, nothing could more plainly fhew that the
King (Ja. I.) confidered the Earl of Effex as his Martyr,
as he himſelf called him, than his gracions reception of
the Earl of Southampton when that Lord came to wait
on him.
Sir Edwyn Sandys wrote a book entitled Europa
Speculum, or a Survey of the preſent ſtate of Religion in
the Weſtern parts of the World. Wherein the Roman
4
Religion
J
( 105 )
(105
quence, and ſweet deportment; Sir Edwyn
Sandys for great knowledge, and integrity,
and Nicholas Ferrar for wonderful ablities,
unwearied diligence, and the ſtricteſt virtue.
The latter was now fully employed in
drawing up inftructions concerning all the
various bufinefs refpecting the Plantation,
in writing all Letters of advice to the Co-
lony in Virginia, and in being conftantly
one in every committee. Which inftruc-
tions and letters being always read in the
open courts, gained him univerſal approba-
tion. The Civilians, the common Lawyers,
the Divines, (of which laft Dean Williams
afterwards Bp. of Lincoln was one, who
attended theſe courts, when acquainted with
Mr. Ferrar's performances, all fpoke of him
in higheſt terms of commendation. The
mer-
Religion, and the pregnant policies of the Church of
Rome to fupport the fame are notably difcovered.
Printed (without his confent) 1605. With his confent,
and a better edition, 1629. A moſt curious treatiſe; by
the perufal whereof the reader may eaſily diſcern how
excellently well qualified Sir E. Sandys was to convert
the Earl of Southampton. F. P.
( 106 )
merchants and tradeſmen, when he had oc-
cafion to ſpeak of their matters, even the
fea officers, and mariners, when he gave di-
rections about the victualling and ordering
the fhips or other naval affairs, all were in
the higheſt admiration of his abilities and
accurate knowledge of every thing relating
to their reſpective profeffions. And now
under the management and direction of
Lord Southampton, Sir Edwyn Sandys, and
Mr. Nicholas Ferrar, the affairs of the Vir-
ginia Plantation were foon in the moſt flou-
riſhing ſituation.
At this time there was in London a Mr.
Copeland, a Miniſter in the Somers Iflands,
who contracted a great intimacy with Mr.
Ferrar. He was a worthy man, and very
zealous for the converfion of the Infidel
natives of America. He had many con-
ferences with Mr. Ferrar upon this ſubject,
and the beſt way and means to effect it,
and he ſeriouſly informed Sir E. Sandys
and others of the company, that he verily
believed Mr. Ferrar was determined fome
time
( 107 )
}
time to leave the old World, and fettle in
Virginia; and there employ the extraordi
nary talents with which God had bleſſed
him, and ſpend his life in the converſion of the
Natives, or other Infidels in that country;
adding, "If he ſhould do fo, I will never
"forfake him, but wait upon him in that
glorious work," This I think is a ſtrong
prefumptive proof, that notwithſtanding
Mr. Ferrar's great abilities in different oc-
cupations and his wonderful proficiency in
various acquifitions of fcience, and other
accompliſhments, yet that the peculiar bent,
and determination of his mind was uni-
formly given to the promotion of the Chri-
ftian Religion.
At this time (April, 1620) died Mr. Fer-
rar the father, who made his fon Nicholas
his fole executor; which was a great addi-
tion to the buſineſs already lying upon him:
but he had abilities equal to any thing, and
to every thing, with firmneſs of mind and
integrity equal to his ability. Mr. Ferrar
fen. by his will gave goof. towards erect-
ing
(108)
3
ing a School or College in Virginia for the
better education of fuch Infidel children as
fhould be there converted to the Chriſtian
Religion. He was buried in the Church of
St. Bennet Sherhog*, April 12, and his old
friend Dr. Francis White, whom he brought
from the obſcurity of the country into a
more public life, preached his funeral Ser-
mon to a crouded audience; in which he
deſcribed him as a fecond Nathaniel, an If-
raelite indeed in whom was no guile.
The Virginia plantation, now under the
Government of the Earl of Southampton,
became every day of higher reputation, and
the affairs of the company in conſequence
every
From Mr. Ferrar's funeral certificate: printed in
Mr. Hearne's Appendix to Caii Vindic. Vol. II. 683. F.P.
The following is a copy of the Receipt from the He-
rald's office for the fee due on his funeral.
Recd. of Mr. N. Ferrar the fum of 3£. 65. 8d. of
lawful Engliſh money, as a fee due to the office of Arms
for the funeral of Mr. N. Ferrar his father, and for tak-
ing the certificate of the time of his Death, Match, and
Iffue, to be entered into a regiſter book in the office of
Arms, I fay Recd. the 24th of Auguſt, 1620.
Sam. Lennard,
Blue-Mantle,
( 109 )
every day of more weighty importance. So
that Mr. Ferrar, both as counſel to the
company, and affiftant alſo to his brother
as deputy Governor, was preffed by a double
weight of care: as the company would not
permit the deputy to reſign till he had exe-
cuted his office three years, which he did
1619, under Sir Edwyn Sandys, and 1620,
1621, under the Earl of Southampton.
But now the encreaſing fame of this com-
pany, and the wife management of it was
carried into Spain, and cauſed no ſmall
alarm. The Politicians there faw, or pre-
tended to fee danger in the courſe of not
many years. Virginia was too near them,
both by Sea and Land: and they did not
know but the people of that plantation,
when once a little fettled, might perhaps be
looking over the hills, and at length fpy
out their rich mines. Gondomar therefore
had it in commiffion to have a ſpecial eye
upon the company, and the managers of
their affairs, And he was indeed a vigilant
obferver of his inftructions. He not only
gained
( 110 )
gained an abfolute influence over the King,
but many great men about him, whom he
had bought with Spaniſh money: theſe
were very powerful, and well known at
court by the name of the Spaniſh Party.
Gondomar and the King had now agreed
upon the deſtruction of the Virginia Com-
pany. Notice of their difhonourable de-
figns was given to Lord Southampton and
Sir Edwyn Sandys, by the Marquis of Ha-
milton and the Earl of Pembroke; who
privately warned them to look well to them-
felves, and their proceedings, for that many
ftratagems were now in train, and would be
puſhed to the utmoſt to procure the de-
ftruction of the plantation, and to ruin all
perfons who ſhould be employed in fup-
porting the affairs of the company.
This opportune advice produced a double
care and watchfulness in the managers, if
poffible, to prevent the intended miſchief.
But it would be endleſs here to relate the
many difcouragements, the dark intrigues,
and
( 11 )
and ſhameful practices which
which they now
daily met and encountered. Theſe things
require another time and place *. All
that
* Mr. John Ferrar fpeaks here as if he intended a par
ticular treatiſe upon the Virginia affairs. But this is all
he gives in the MS. concerning this particular point, for
the years 1619, 20, 21. And this little is not very clearly
expreffed. Yet it may ferve to throw fome light upon a
paſſage in Mr. Anthony Wood, which is as follows, and
in which fome allowance must be made for Mr. Wood's
political principles. "In the Parliament, 1621, Sir
Edwyn Sandys being found factious, and too daring, he
was (with Selden) committed to the cuftody of the Sheriff
of London, June 16, 1621, and not delivered thence till
the 18th, which matter being ill refented by the houſe of
Commons, they on Nov. 8, following, did diſpute the
matter tumultuoufly; taking it for a great breach of their
priviledges, that any of them fhould be thus impriſoned.
At length Secretary Calvert protefting before them that
neither he nor Selden were impriſoned for Parliamentary
matters, a ftop was thereupon put to the difpute. Athena
Oxon. Vol. I. Col. 541.
The matter for which they were impriſoned was the
Virginia buſineſs. The King had been fo violent at fet-
ting out as to forbid Sir Edwyn Sandys being elected
Governor. The latter had taken Selden's opinion upon
the words of the charter, and his direction how to oppoſe
the underminers of it to the beft advantage. This was
fufficient reafon with the King for fending them both to
prifon. And thus this paffage, which as it ſtands in Mr.
Wood, and in Camden's Annals of Ja. I. feems to throw
a reflection on Sir Edwyn Sandys, really turns out very
much to his honour.
( 112 )
:
}
that need here be faid is that the Virginia
buſineſs was now no paftime, nor were the
managers in any reſpect permitted to be idle.
In the Eaſter term, 1622, Mr. John Fer-
rar having been continued deputy Gover
nor three years, Nicholas Ferrar was elect-
éd to fucceed him. For Lord Southampton
plainly told the deputation from the compa-
ny, who waited on him to defire he would
confent to be re-elected, that if they did not
chooſe Mr. Nicholas Ferrar to be the deputy
Governor, he could not any longer take
the office of Governor upon him; faying
that he was the only perfon who was able
to go through with the buſineſs; and to en-
counter all thoſe great and potent oppofi
tions, which he knew either were, or very
foon would be raiſed againſt the company
and the plantation: and that without Mr.
Ferrar's affiftance all would fall to ruin.
You all, he continued, fee, and know his
abilities and his integrity as well as I. On
condition of his being deputy, I will be your
Governor: but he must be the perſon who
muft
( 113 )
ง
must act both mine and his own part alſo.
Without him I dare not accept the office:
with him, I will do all I can to ſerve you.
Theſe things being thus fettled, the meet-
ings at Mrs. Ferrar's houſe began again to be
crouded, as ufual; and Gondomar exerted
double diligence, procuring, by Spaniſh gold,
fpies, who informed him of every thing that
was done at theſe meetings; and, what
added greatly to his influence, the Spaniſh
party at court, carried every thing with a
high hand.
Many ſhameful ftratagems were now at-
tempted againſt the company, to throw their
affairs into confufion, and to dishearten
them on all fides. Particularly their privi-
lege in point of cuftoms (which was to pay
only 5 per cent.) was now queſtioned, and 15
per cent. demanded. One Jacobs alfo, who
had procured a licence for importing Spaniſh
Tobacco, was now employed and fupported
by the great men in the pay of Gondomar
to infringe the company's patent: which
H
en-
}
( 114 )
(114
encreafed Mr. Ferrar's trouble to a great
degree, and made it neceffary for him to re-
fort frequently to the Council table, and to
Sir Tho. Coventry the King's Attorney Ge-
neral.
The hardſhip and the injuftice put upon
the company in this laſt article only was
very great, as the profit arifing from Vir-
ginia Tobacco, was as yet the only return
which the planters had to anſwer all their
trouble, expence and hazard. For little pro-
grefs had been made in the feveral plans of
improvement, as the confequences of the
firſt maſſacre* by the favages, were not yet
fully recovered.
By Mr. Ferrar's care and induſtry things
feemed,
*That maffacre was perpetrated on Friday, March
22, 1621, at which time the favages killed 347 perfons.
There were then murthered at Mr. William Ferrar's
houſe theſe ten perfons, Mr. John England, and John his
fervant; John Bell, Henry Paterfon, and Alice his wife,
and William her fon; Thomas their fervant, James
Woodſhaw, and Mary and Elizabeth, maidſervants.
Declaration of the State of Virginia. London, 1622,
40. p. 14, 37%
( 115 )
feemed, notwithſtanding this violence and
injuſtice, to be getting again in a fair way
towards a lafting fettlement. But alas! the
Spaniſh match for the Prince was now fet
on foot, and Gondomar took advantage of
that opportunity to exert his abfolute power
over the King; who meanly fuffered himſelf,
in violation of his patent, and the honour
of a King, to be made this crafty miniſter's
inftrument to effect the ruin of the com-
pany.
The Marquis of Hamilton and the Earl
of Pembroke folemnly affirmed to the Earl
of Southampton, that they heard Gondomar
fay to the King, "That it was time for him
"to look to the Virginia courts which were
kept at the Ferrar's houfe, where too many
"of his Nobility and Gentry reforted to ac-
..
CC
66
company the popular Lord Southampton,
"and the dangerous Sandys. That though
they might have a fair pretence for their
meetings, yet he would find in the end
"that court would prove a feminary for a
feditious Parliament. That they were
4C
H 2
"deep
( 116 )
1
"<
deep politicians, and had farther defigns
"than a Tobacco plantation. That their
(c
proceedings in the iffue might cauſe, if
"not timely prevented, occafions of diffe-
"rence between his Majefty, and his Maſter
"the King of Spain. For he had heard
"rumours, that once being become nume-
CC
rous, they intended to ſtep beyond their
"limits; and for aught he knew, they might
"vifit his maſter's mines. Adding, that he
"had occafion of late to have a conference
"with the managers concerning a ſhip laden
"with Silver, which was caft away; and
"that he found them fubtle men, men of
..
high courage, men who no way regarded
"either his maſter or their own." Theſe
Lords therefore adviſed Lord Southampton
to be upon his guard; and bad him and his
deputy prepare for the rencounter; for that
it would certainly come to the puſh of Pike;
and that they feared, as matters now ftood,
the company would be diffolved, and under
ſome pretence or other their patent taken
away. The creatures of Gondomar alfo in-
finuated to the King, that the matter was
too
( 117 )
!
too high and great for private men to ma-
nage: that it was therefore proper for the
King to take it into his own hands, and to
govern and order it both at home and abroad
according to his own will and pleaſure.
After a ſhort time a commiffion was
granted by the King to fome known enemies
to the company to diſturb and teize them
by vexatious examinations. And one Cap.
Butler, whom the company had removed
from his office for fcandalous mifmanage-
ment and injuſtice, was fuborned, and made
an inſtrument to ſpread diſadvantageous re-
ports of the country itſelf, as being unfit to
be planted, as being extremely unhealthy
and entirely unproductive.
Before theſe commiffioners Mr. Ferrar
often appeared in the defence of the com-
pany, and exerted himſelf with fuch firmneſs
and force of argument, not only face to face
to the accufers, but by fuch unanswerable
deductions in writing, that the commiffion-
ers were not able to proceed: all their alle-
H 3
13
gations
}
( 118 )
gations being demonftrated by him to be
falfe and frivolous. The matter therefore
was brought from them before the Council
table. And then Mr. Ferrar, and the com-
pany were forced to attend there twice or
thrice a week for half a year together, in
order to weary them out by a vexatious per-
fecution. But notwithſtanding all theſe in-
famous machinations, nothing could be
taken hold of to wreft the patent from the
company. They were often indeed required
to lay it down; but this they refuſed to do,
At this time, though there were many
able men of the company ready to defend
their juft caufe, yet the Lords of the council
infifted that the deputy, being, as they ſaid,
the reprefentative of the company, fhould
be the only perſon to anſwer their objec-
tions. And this they did on feeing him fo
young a man, thinking from that circum-
ftance to gain fome advantage over him.
But he anſwered them all with that fingular
wiſdom and inodefty, that accurate know-
ledge of affairs, that difcretion, firmneſs and
elo.
( 119 )
eloquence, that the mercenaries of Gondo-
mar were confounded; and then by a new
and unexpected artifice, and in pretended
admiration of his great abilities, faid it was
pity but that he ſhould be taken off from
his preſent buſineſs, and employed in public
affairs of more weighty importance.
Accordingly overtures were made, and a
negociation entered upon with Lord South-
ampton and Sir Edwyn Sandys, to prevail
with them to perfuade Mr. Ferrar to accept
the place of Clerk of the Council, or (Lei-
ger) Envoy to the Duke of Savoy, which of
the two employments he himself liked beft.
He modeftly declined the offer, faying his
abilities were not fufficient for a poſt of ſuch
weighty importance. His friends continued
to prefs him, and he to refuſe. At length
he told them that he could not accept of
fuch preferment, that his thoughts lay quite
another way. But feeing their importunity
continue, he in confidence to his two great
friends, and on their promife of fecrecy, de-
clared to them his folemn determination,
H 4
when
( 120 )
when he ſhould have diſcharged the duties
of his preſent ſituation, to enter upon a
ſtate of Religious retirement.
The council finding that the company
were ſtill refolved not to part with their
patent, or with the liberty which they there-
by had to govern their own affairs, now
took a more fevere, and not less unjuſt
courſe. They confined Lord Southampton
to his houſe, that he might not come to the
Virginia courts, of which he was the legal
Governor. But this only made the com-
pany more refolute in their own juſt de-
fence. They then ordered Sir Edwyn San-
dys into a fimilar confinement. But this
ſtep in no degree abated the reſolution of
the company. Then the Lords, under the
influence of Gondomar, ftrongly preffed the
company to give up their patent. The
Marquis of Hamilton and the Earl of Pem-
broke informed Lord Southampton and r
Edwyn Sandys of theſe proceedings, faying,
That Nicholas Ferrar, though now left as
it were alone, was too hard for all his op-
pofers,
(121
pofers. But continued they, your enemies
will prevail at laſt; for let the company do
what they can, in open defiance of Honour,
and Juſtice, it is abfolutely determined at all
events to take away your patent.
But Gondomar and his inftruments, find-
ing that their violent meafures had not the
deſired effect upon the company, now vehe-
mently urged the King to take the planta-
tion into his own hands, as a thing befit-
ting a King: and particularly as being a
meaſure that would be moſt acceptable to
the King of Spain.
Still however the fame unjust perfecution
of the company was carried on; and Mr.
Ferrar ftill remained unanſwerable in his
defence. When one day the Lord Treaſurer
Cranfield in great heat of paffion told him,
that he could prevail with the company if
he would, and they might then obtain all
that they defired.
Nicholas Ferrar then being called to the
upper
( 122 )
upper end of the Council table, addreffed
himſelf with all humility to the Lords, and
to Lord Cranfield in particular, "befeech-
46
ing them in the moſt earneſt manner not
"to entertain fo vain an imagination. That
"there were many members of the com-
ac
pany much better qualified than he was
"to ſpeak upon their affairs. Nevertheless,
"that he humbly entreated their Lordships.
"to conſider ſerioufly, whether, if fuch a
"number of the Virginia company as made
"a court, or whether, if all thofe members
" who lived in and near London fhould
"meet and affemble together, whether even
"all thefe could either in law or equity give
46
up the patent, without the previous con-
"fent of all the reft of the members, to the
"number of fome thouſands now difperfed
"all over England. And thefe too not per-
"fons of inferior rank, but perſons of the firſt
condition, of the Nobility, and Gentry, of
"the Biſhops, and Clergy, of the chief Citi-
zens, and of the principal Companies, and
Corporations throughout the whole king-
"dom. Beſides thefe, all the Planters alſo
"C
(c
"" in
( 123 )
" in Virginia, who were all included in the
"grant, and who all upon the encourage-
"ment, and promifed protection of the
"King, under the Great Seal of England,
" and the pledge of his royal word and ho-
nour, adventured their eftates, and many
" of them even their lives in this the great-
"eft and moſt honourable undertaking in
"which England had ever been engaged.
"He repreſented alfo the great good which
"in numberlefs fources of wealth and
"ftrength, would by means of this corpo-
"ration, and through the encouragement
"of their care, by the bleffing of God,
fhortly accrue to this nation. And he
<<
again and again moft earnestly befought
"their Lordships to take theſe things
"into their moft ferious confideration; and
"no longer to urge them, not the twentieth
<<
part of the perfons intereſted, to do an
"action which was in itſelf both unjuſt and
"unreaſonable, and indeed impoflible for
"them to do. For how could they pretend
"to give away and yield up the rights, and
"interefts of other men, without the con-
"fent
( 124 )
"fent of the parties intereſted firſt obtain-
"ed. And in the moft folemn manner he
"c
adjured their Lordships not to make them
"the inſtruments of doing fo vile a thing,
"
36
to which, if they confented, they ſhould
"render themſelves worthy of the fevereſt
"puniſhment. Befides, he faid, it is wor-
thy your Lordſhips farther confideration,
"how far fuch a precedent may poſſibly
operate, and how dangerous fuch an ex-
ample may be, if only a twentieth part
"of any company ſhould prefume, or ſhould
"be permitted to deliver up the liberties and
priviledges, the rights, and the
property of
"the other nineteen parts, and that with-
" out ſo much as once calling them together
"to give their confent. This, he continued,
"was what the company now affembled,
"muſt refufe as a thing unjust, and not
"feaſible for them to do."
<<
The Lord Treaſurer upon his difcourfing
thus, being inflamed with violent paſſion,
often interrupted him, and fo did fome
others. But the Marquis of Hamilton, the
Earl
i
( 125 )
Earl of Pembroke, and fome other Lords of
the council faid, Nay, my good Lords, for-
bear. Let him make an end. We have
called him hither to know what he can fay
on the company's behalf. Let us therefore
not interrupt him: it is but reaſonable to
hear him out. Mr. Deputy go on.
Mr. Ferrar, with the moſt reſpectful hu-
mility then faid, "Moft honourable Lords,
"I was juſt on the point of concluding. I
"will add only this, That as for my own
private intereſt, and the intereſt of many
"here preſent, and of many others who are
"abfent, my Lords, we all moſt humbly caft
"ourſelves, and our eſtates at his Majeſty's
"royall feet: let him do with us and with
them, if fo he be determined, what feem-
"eth beſt unto his good will and pleaſure.
"For as to what is really our own, and in
us to give, we ſubmit it all to his Maje-
*fty's difpofal; and in all other things we
"ſhall endeavour to ferve and pleaſe him in
"all that with a confcience unhurt we may:
defiring only this, that with reſpect to the
"rights
( 126 )
1
t
" rights and property of others, we may be
«Σ
<c
<<
permitted to execute the truft repofed in
us, with fidelity and honour, and to dif-
charge religiouſly thofe duties, which, as
they are of the first importance, ought to
"have the firſt influence upon the mind of
"man."
<c
Then the Marquis of Hamilton ſtood up,
and with a loud voice faid, Mr. Deputy, in
my opinion, my Lords, hath ſpoken well,
excellently well both for himſelf, and for the
company. And what, my Lords, can we
now defire more of him? The Earl of Pem-
broke feconded Lord Hamilton, and faid,
Surely, my Lords, I hope the King (if he
fhall hear all) will be fatisfied with what
we have done, but particularly with what
we have now heard. Let us fairly report it
to him, and then let his Majefty do what he
thinks moſt proper. We have fat a long
time upon this buſineſs, and at length we
may conjecture the reſult.
Gondomar with his profligate inftru-
ments,
(
127 )
ments, the King, and the Spaniſh party at
court, perceiving that Mr. Ferrar, (having
demonſtrated all their allegations to be falſe
and groundleſs) had rendered all their vio-
lence ineffectual, now had recourfe to a dif-
ferent mode of proceeding. They fuborned,
and procured perfons to bring forward a
crimination against him, who came and ex-
hibited in form a complaint to the Council
board. The ſubſtance of the accuſation was
this, That the deputy, during the times of
his appearing before the council, had drawn
up and fent to the Governor and plantation
of Virginia certain dangerous inftructions,
and inflammatory letters of advice, direct-
ing them how they ſhould conduct them-
ſelves in ſtanding to their patent, and ex-
horting them that they ſhould never give
their confent to let it be delivered up. And
therefore that if theſe letters and inftruc-
tions were not countermanded by their Lord-
ſhips, fome very ill confequence might en-
fue, and the King might thereby receive
much diſhonour.
As
( 128 )
As foon as this pretended complaint was
lodged in form, inftantly, though it was
then very late at night, fome purſevants,
who were kept in readineſs for that purpoſe,
were diſpatched in all hafte to Mrs. Ferrar's
houſe to ſpeak with the deputy, and to com-
mand him without any delay immediately
to deliver up to them, all thoſe books of the
Virginia company wherein were regiſtered
the copies of all fuch letters and inftruc-
tions as had been fent to the plantation
from the council or company here.
Mr. Ferrar told them that the Secretary
of the Virginia company, and not he, had
the keeping of thoſe books. They then re-
quired him to give them a note to the Se-
cretary to deliver them. But he excufed
himſelf, faying, "Surely your commiffion
"will be a better authority for him to do
<<
ſo, than any note which I can ſend him.
For my own part, if I had the company's
"evidences in my poffeffion, entruſted to
my cuftody, I certainly would not deliver
"them up, unleſs I had their leave, and ex-
i
66
prefs
( 129 )
prefs order fo to do." When he ſaid this
they left him, and went to the Secretary,
and forced him to deliver up the books to
them.
The next day the deputy, and many Lords
and Gentlemen concerned in the company,
were fummoned to attend at the Council
table. For the accuſers of the company had
given it out publickly, that now very ſtrange
things indeed would be diſcovered in theſe
books and inſtructions, and brought forth
to public view. On this account there was
a very numerous attendance, and all the
Lords of the council alfo were particularly
fummoned to attend.
When the council was met, the deputy
(as heretofore) was commanded to come to
the upper end of the table. Then the ac-
cufers of the company deſired of the Lords
that one of the clerks of the council might
read fuch and fuch letters and inftructions
written in fuch and fuch months. Some of
which being read, the Lords of the council
I
looked
!
( 130 )
looked
upon one another with evident marks
of aſtoniſhment; obferving that there was
nothing of that dangerous confequence in
thoſe papers, which the accufers had in-
formed them they would difcover; but on
the contrary much matter of high com-
mendation. Point out, faid one Lord, where
is the fault or error in theſe letters and in-
ſtructions; for my own part I muſt ſay that
I cannot fee any.
The enemies of the company then prayed
their Lordships to hear them all read out;
and then they ſaid it would ſoon appear
where the faults lay. Yea, yea, ſaid the
Lord Treaſurer with vehemence, read on,
read on: we ſhall anon find them. So they
ftill perfifted to read. And in a word, ſo
much patience had the Lords, or rather fo
much pleaſure, that many of them ſaid they
thought their time had been well spent. All
theſe letters and inſtructions being in the
end thus read out, and nothing at all ap-
pearing which was any ways diſadvanta-
geous to the company, but on the contrary
very
( 131 )
very
much to their credit and honour: the
Marquis of Hamilton ftood up, and ſaid,
That there was one letter which he prayed
might be read over again, on which he ſhould
deſire to make a few obſervations. Which
being accordingly done, Well! faid he, my
Lords, we have ſpent many hours here, in
hearing all theſe letters and inftructions, and
yet I could not help requeſting to hear this
one letter over again; becauſe I think that
all your Lordships must agree with me that
it is abfolutely a mafter piece. And indeed
they are all in high degree excellent. Truly,
my Lords, we have this day loſt no time at
all. For I do afſure you that if our attend-
ance here, were for many days, I for my
part would willingly fit them out to hear fo
pious, fo wife, and indeed politic inftruc-
tions as theſe are. They are papers as ad-
mirably well penned as any I ever heard.
And, I believe, if the truth were known,
your Lordships are all of the fame opinion.
The Earl of Pembroke faid, There is not
one thing in them all, which, as far as I can
fee,
I 2
( 132 )
fee, deferves in the leaft degree to be excepted
against. On the contrary they all deſerve
the higheſt commendation: containing ad-
vices far more excellent than I could have
expected to have met with in the letters of
a trading company. For they abound with
foundneſs of good matter, and profitable in-
ftruction with refpect both to Religion and
Policy; and they poffefs uncommon elegance
of language. Many other Lords concurred
in theſe commendations, and at length one,
addreffing himſelf to Mr. Ferrar, faid, Mr.
Deputy, I pray you tell us who penned theſe
letters and inſtructions, we have fome reafon
to think it was yourſelf.
Mr. Ferrar, whoſe modefty and humility
were not inferior to his other rare accom→
pliſhments, replied, My Lord, theſe are the
letters and inſtructions of the company, and
the council of the company. For in all
weighty affairs they order ſeveral commit-
tees to make each a rough draught of what
they judge proper to be done in theſe´mat-
ters: which rough draughts are afterward
all
( 133 )
all put together, and prefented firſt to the
council, and then to the company to receive
all proper alteration, as they fhall pleaſe.
And thus every thing is drawn up and con-
cluded upon the opinion and advice of many.
After due commendation of his modefty as
well as his ability, it was replied to him,
Mr. Deputy, That theſe papers before us
are the production of one Pen, is very
plainly diſcernible: they are Jewels that all
come out of one rich cabinet, of which we
have undoubted reafon to believe that you
are the true Poffeffor.
The Lords under the influence of Gon-
domar were now abaſhed and filent; only
one of them ſaid to the accufers of the com-
pany, What ſtrange and unaccountable
meaſures are theſe that you have taken! to
have us called together, and to make us fit
and hear all theſe things, which are entirely
oppofite to your own informations, and
which meet, as you find, with univerfal ap-
probation. To which one man of a bold
ſpirit replied, We ſhall ſtill in the end carry
I 3
our
A
( 134 )
134)
our point. Thefe, my good Lord, are not
the letters and inftructions which we meant.
The company have others no doubt in pri-
vate, which they fecrete, and which if they
could now be found, would quickly filence
them. We have lately heard of things
paffing in their courts which would furprize
you. On which one of the council rofe and
faid, My Lords, fuch malevolence and inju-
ftice is unequalled: fuch proceedings are not
to be endured. But unprincipled malice
has a face too brazen to be aſhamed of
any
thing. The Lords then rofe, and the ad-
verfaries of the company were much con-
founded, having now with all honeſt and
impartial men entirely loſt all credit.
The very night after this meeting, one of
the clerks of the council came to Lord
Southampton and told him that his deputy
had that day gained a moſt compleat victory,
and had extorted the higheſt commenda-
tions even from the Lords of the adverfe
party: and it was ſuppoſed that propoſals
would be made to him to engage in the
King's
( 135 )
King's immediate fervice. But for all that,
my Lord, faid he, depend upon it, fuch the
times are, your patent is irretrievably gone.
Lord Southampton communicated this
information to the Lords and Gentlemen
intereſted in the company, faying, You all
well know that thofe things which our ene-
mies thought would have been to their ad-
vantage and our damage, have hitherto all
turned out to our credit and to our honour,
nevertheleſs, all will not help us. It is de-
termined that our patent fhall be taken
away, and the company diffolved.
diffolved. The
King, I find, has refolved to have the ma-
nagement of the plantation in his own
hands, to direct, and govern as he fees beft.
A thing indeed worthy a King's care: but,
alas! alas! this is all but a colourable fhew.
For
you will find in the end that this wor-
thy company will be broken, and come to
nothing. We muſt all arm ourſelves with
patience.
Mr. Ferrar had now gained the higheſt
repu-
1 4
( 136 )
reputation with all ranks of men for the
uncommon abilities which he diſplayed on
every occafion, and the esteem for his great
virtues was unbounded, but eſpecially with
thoſe who were intereſted in the affairs of
the Virginia company. At this time a citi-
zen of the firſt claſs both for riches and re-
putation paid him a vifit, and after the
warmeſt expreffions of the higheſt opinion
of his extraordinary talents, and integrity,
thus continued, Mr. Ferrar, I have an only
daughter, who, if paternal affection doth
not too much influence my judgment, is
both wife and comely: indeed it is confeffed
by all that ſhe is very beautiful, I know her
to have been virtuouſly educated, to be well
accompliſhed, and to be of an amiable dif-
pofition. If you will be pleaſed to accept
of her as your wife, I will immediately give
you with her ten thousand pounds. Mr.
Ferrar was much furpriſed, returned his fin-
cere thanks, but faid he was not worthy of
ſo great a treaſure. The citizen however
perfifted, faid he was really in earneſt to
bring about the connection; that at preſent
he
+
( 137 )
he only made his propoſal with intent to
give him an opportunity to confider of it.
After a few days he came again, and aſked
Mr. Ferrar if he had adviſed with his friends
concerning his propofal, faying, They all
know me well. Mr. Ferrar anfwered that
he had not; for you I perceive, Sir, are
greatly miſtaken in me, firſt in having too
high an opinion of my abilities, and next
with respect to my estate, which you per-
haps may conceive to be what it is not. I
think myſelf infinitely obliged to you for
your good will towards me, and for honour-
ing me fo far as to think, what I cannot
think of myſelf, that I am any way worthy
of fo inestimable a treaſure as your daugh-
ter. Mr. Ferrar, he replied, do not talk
thus to me; for I know you perfectly well;
and as for your eſtate, I give myſelf no man-
ner of concern about it. What fortune you
have I demand not to know. Let it be what
it will; if you have nothing, I thank God
that I have enough to make you and my
daughter happy as to all worldly matters.
And as to my own part, I fhall think myfelf
the
( 138 )
#
the happieſt man upon earth to have you
my fon in law, and my daughter muſt be
equally happy to have fo accompliſhed, and
fo virtuous a man for her huſband.
By means of an intimate friend of the
father, an interview was brought about at
this friend's houſe between the young Lady
and Mr. Ferrar, where in a felect company
they paffed feveral hours together. The fa-
ther then took a convenient opportunity to
afk his daughter what fhe thought of Mr.
Ferrar, to which ſhe anſwered, Nothing but
good. Can you then like him for a huf
band? to which with equal ingenuoufnefs
and modeſty ſhe replied, Sir, I ſhall with
pleaſure do in this, as well as in all other
things, as you will pleaſe to have me: my
duty and my inclination will go together.
Matters being fo far advanced, the father
faid to Mr. Ferrar, Now, Sir, you have ſeen
my daughter, I hope her perfon and deport-
ment are fuch as to merit your approbation.
As to your own eftate, nothing is defired to
be known. Be that as it may; I have enough;
7
I like
( 139 )
I like you, and my daughter fubmits her-
felf to my choice. Now let me have your
anſwer. Mr. Ferrar replied, The young
Lady your daughter, Sir, is in every reſpect
not only unexceptionable, but highly to be
admired: fhe is beautiful, and accompliſh-
ed, and amiable to the greateſt degree, and
far fuperior to all that I can merit: indeed
I do not, I cannot deſerve this great happi-
neſs. I return you my fincereſt thanks for
your unequalled goodneſs to me; and in the
confidence of friendſhip I will now acquaint
you with the private and fixed determina-
tion of my mind. If God will give me grace
to keep a refolution long fince formed, I
have determined to lead a fingle life; and
after having diſcharged, to the beſt of my
ability, my duty to the company, and to my
family as to worldly concerns, I feriouſly
purpoſe to devote myſelf to God, and to go
into a religious retirement. Thus ended
this affair, and the father ever after preſerved
the moſt affectionate friendſhip for Mr. Fer-
rar.
After
( 140 )
After the unworthy part which the King,
influenced by Gondomar, had taken in the
perfecution of the Virginia company, the
deputy had now indeed a great encreaſe of
trouble in managing their concerns. But
in truth and juftice to his friends it muſt be
faid, that Lord Southampton, the Earl of
Dorſet, the Earl of Devon, Lord Paget, Sir
Edwyn Sandys and many others, gave him
all the affiſtance in their power. But all to
no purpoſe. For the King, notwithſtand-
ing his royal word and honour pledged to
the contrary, notwithſtanding the grant un-
der the Great Seal of England, notwith-
ſtanding all that ſhould bind the conſcience,
and direct the conduct of an honest man,
was now determined with all his force to
make the laſt affault, and give the death
blow to this, as yet, profperous and thriving
company.
At this juncture a full teftimonial came
from the Colony, proving the healthineſs of
the climate, and the fruitfulneſs of the
country, againſt the flanderous informations
of
་
( 141 )
141)
of that Cap. Butler, who had been fuborned
by Gondomar and his agents to ſpread defa-
matory reports concerning a country of
which he knew nothing, having only been
there in his flight from juſtice, and having
ſuddenly ſtolen away from thence to avoid
being ſeized by authority for his fcandalous
proceedings.
This teftimonial being exhibited at the
Council board, the Lords in Gondomar's
intereſt became enraged, and refolved upon
the laſt violence. They therefore now drew
up a great number of charges, utterly falſe,
and flanderous, againſt both the Company
and the Colony, under the invention and
direction of Gondomar, and the Lord Trea-
furer Cranfield. Theſe accufations were
given to the latter, and he now undertook
either by conſent to get, or by force to wring
the patent out of the hands of the company.
With this view on the Thurſday before
Eaſter, 1623, a council was called, and the
deputy and others were fent for to attend.
Who
( 142 )
Who being come, the Lord Treaſurer pre-
fented thoſe papers of accufation to the
Lords, faying that they contained a charge.
which the deputy and company muſt anſwer
by the next Monday. For that a longer
time would not, and ſhould not be allowed
them. Mr. Ferrar taking up the bulky
bundle, faid he thought it impoffible to af
femble the company, and anſwer ſo many,
and ſuch ſtrange articles in fo fhort a time
as two days; for Sunday was not a day for
buſineſs, and therefore he humbly befought
their Lordships to allow him only a week,
and he would defire no more. Upon this
the Lord Treaſurer cried out in great wrath,
Not an hour longer than till Monday after-
noon, and therefore take up the papers and
be gone.
Theſe papers on examination were found
to contain a huge parcel of abſolute falſe-
hoods, which the enemies of the company
had invented, and drawn out to fuch an
unreaſonable length, that by the ſhortneſs
of the time allowed (which was preconcerted
}
with
( 143 )
(143
with the Lord Treaſurer) it was thought
impoffible that the agents for the company
fhould give in any anſwer: that then Gon-
domar and his party would be triumphant,
and able to boaſt that the Virginia company
either could not, or durft not anſwer their
accufation.
Mr. Ferrar however dividing the charge
into three parts, giving one to Lord Caven-
diſh, another to Sir Edwyn Sandys, and
taking the third to himſelf, and employing
fix clerks very ready with the pen, to copy
fair, continuing at the work without inter-
ruption, night and day, allowing but two
hours for fleep, and refreſhment, did actu-
ally produce and lay before the council, a
compleat anſwer at the time appointed. The
Lords were affembled and making them-
felves merry with the expected embarraſſment
of the Virginia company. But in a very
fhort time their merriment was converted
into ſhame and confufion. A clerk was or-
dered to read the anſwer. The reading took
up full fix hours. When it was done, all
was
( 144 )
(144
was a confiderable time deep filence and
aftoniſhment. The adverfaries of the com-
pany were all perplexed, and confounded,
and in ſhame retired home. They had how-
ever fufficient preſence of mind to fecrete
and convey away the Anſwer they had re-
quired. It never appeared more, and the
company never heard what became of it.
The Spaniſh match being yet intended,
and profecuted, during this negociation the
King was the abfolute flave of Gondomar,
to do without regard to honour or juſtice
whatſoever he fhould advife to be done. In
confequence of this infatuation, the deputy,
and thirty more of the directors, and prin-
cipal perfons of the Virginia company were
now ſerved with a Writ of Quo Warranto,
and commanded to fhew by what authority
they pretended to exerciſe a power over the
plantation, and to fend a Governor thither:
and by this proceſs the company now were
obliged to go to Law to defend their right.
After many delays the caufe came on to
be
( 145 )
'
be pleaded. The great plea which the King's
Attorney General (Coventry) brought againſt
them was, "That it was in general an un-
limited, vaft patent. In particular, the
"main inconvenience was, that by the words
"of the charter, the company had a power
given them to carry away, and tranſport
to Virginia, as many of the King's loving
ſubjects as were defirous to go thither.
"And conſequently, he faid, by exerciſing
"this liberty, they may in the end carry
<<
"to
<c
(c
away all the King's fubjects into a foreign
"land; and fo leave his Majeſty a kingdom
"here indeed, but no ſubjects in it. And
"if this fhould be the cafe, What will then
"become of him, or of us? This is certainly
"a ſtrange claufe, and the patent wherein
"it is contained, ought to be forfeited."
This weighty argument extorted a ſmile
even from the Judges, and the Lawyers con-
cerned to carry on the profecution. Never-
theless, it was admitted: for the determina-
tion was made, previous to entering upon
the merits of the cauſe, what the decree
K
fhould
*
( 146 )
fhould be. The Attorney General then pro-
ceeded, and faid he had found a flaw in the
company's answer, which if admitted, con-
tained on the one hand too much, and on
the other too little; and therefore, being
fuch a nicety in Law, he craved ſentence
upon it as infufficient.
Sentence was thereupon given, "That the
"Patent, or Charter of the company of Eng-
"liſh merchants trading to Virginia, and pre-
66
tending to exercife a power and authority
"over his Majefty's good fubjects there,
"fhould be thenceforth null, and void *.'
The
* Rapin fays that the plantation in Virginia was a
fort of Puritan plantation; "for Archbishop Bancroft, he
tells us, never ceafing to plague the Puritans, in order to
compell them to conform to the Church of England,
great numbers of thoſe people refolved to go and ſettle
in Virginia. Accordingly fome departed. But the A. B.
feeing more, ready to take the fame voyage, obtained a
proclamation, commanding them not to go without the
King's exprefs Licence. For the court was apprehen-
five this Sect would in the end become too powerfull in
America." Vol. IX. p. 312.
This is all which he fays of it. Whereby it appears
that he as well as other Hiftorians, knew only the colour,
and nothing at all of the true reaſon of theſe proceedings.
againſt the Virginia plantation. F. P.
:
( 147 )
The King was at the bottom of this
whole proceeding, which from beginning to
end was a defpotic violation of honour and
of juſtice; which proved him to be a man
void of every laudable principle of action;
a man who in all his exertions made himſelf
the fcorn of thofe who were not in his
power, and the deteftation of thoſe who
were; a man whofe head was indeed encir-
cled with the Regal Diadem, but never furely
was Head more unworthy or unfit to wear it.
The great reputation of Mr. Ferrar being
now ſpread over all parts of the country by
the members of the late diffolved Virginia
company, he was in 1624 ‡, elected a mem-
ber
+ He became the public jeft, and object of ridicule to
all the ſtates of Europe.
That Mr. Ferrar was in Parliament this year, and
was very much employed in buſineſs there, appears plainly
from the following extracts from the journals of the
houfe of Commons: it is alfo mentioned in many letters.
and papers belonging to the family; but neither in theſe,
nor in the MS. from which I write, is it faid for what
place he was elected; nor can I difcover it by any en-
quiry in my power.
re
Mr. Peck has left the following note. "I once
"thought
K. 2
( 148 )
ber of Parliament. As this in a general
confideration was highly proper on account
of
66
thought that Mr. Ferrar's election was for the Town
"of Hertford, as Mrs. Ferrar had a confiderable eſtate
"and a large houfe there. But it appears by the corpo-
"ration book of that Town that Tho. Fanfhaw, and
"Wm. Aſhton, Efqrs; were elected Burgeffes for that
"borough, May 17, 1624. This information I owe to
"the humanity of Rich. Reynolds, Efq; now (Feb.
"1735) deputy Recorder of Hertford." F. P.
1624, Lunæ, 26 Apr. Mr. Ferrar delivereth in a peti-
tion from the Treaſurer, Council, and Company of Vir-
ginia. Read. A committee of feveral, and all that will
Thofe that are of the company to be prefent, to
inform, but to have no voice. Wedneſday, 2 o'clock.
Starchamber. Council on both fides.
come.
1624, Jovis, 29 Apr. Mr. Speaker-this morning he
received a letter from his Majefty concerning a petition
exhibited to this houſe about the Virginia bufinefs. Read.
1624, Mercurii, 19 Maii, Sir Edwyn Sandys and Mr.
Ferrar to draw a petition concerning undue exaction of
fees.
Do. Do. Do. poft merid. The King to be petitioned
about exacted fees. Sir Edwyn Sandys and Mr. Ferrar
to draw up this petition.
20 Maii, Sir Edwyn Sandys moves for a felect com-
mittee to peruſe the draught he and Mr. Ferrar have
made for grievances on Trade.
1624, May 22, Refolved upon queftion that theſe
abuſes ſhall be preferred in a petition of grievances to
the King for redreſs, and puniſhment of the offenders.
Sir Edwyn Sandys and Mr. Ferrar to do this.
May
( 149 )
1
of his extenſive abilities, and known inte-
grity; fo was there a peculiar propriety in
his election at this time; as there was an
intention now to call to account before the
houfe of Parliament, thoſe perſons who had
abuſed the King's ear, and had been guilty
of thoſe violent enormities in the falfe accu-
fation of the managers of the Virginia com-
pany. For it was well known that Mr.
Ferrar was not only more accurately ac-
quainted with all the circumftances of that
affair than any other perfon, but had alfo
abilities and firmneſs fufficient to carry on
the profecution in a proper manner.
The
May 24, Petition of grace, not grievances upon que-
ſtion ordered to be drawn by Sir Ed. Sandys, and Mr.
Ferrar.
May 25, The committee thought fit a petition of right,
&c. Sir Ed. Sandys and Mr. Ferrar to do it.
May 25, Mr. Comptroller delivered a meffage from
the King to the committee of grievances-thought the
houſe need not meddle with it this feffion will have
the honour himſelf of recalling the patent.
May 28, Sir Ed. Sandys and Mr. Ferrar to examiņe
grievances, &c.
28, That Mr. Ferrar be prefent to morrow.
K 3
( 150 )
The Prince being now returned from
Spain in great difcontent, the Spaniſh party
at court began in fome degree to loſe their
influence. The Parliament met. Mr. Fer-
rar was appointed one of feveral committees,
Sir Edwyn Sandys, and many other mem-
bers of the late Virginia company were alſo
in this Parliament. A charge was brought
in against the Ld. Treaſurer, the Earl of
Middleſex, for taking bribes, and divers
other exhorbitancies committed in the exe-
cution of his office; and alfo for his conduct
in the Virginia affair, and his violence in
taking away the patent, and diffolving the
company.
On this occafion the houſe appointed the
Ld. Wm. Cavendish, Sir Edwyn Sandys, and
Nicholas Ferrar to draw up the charge
againſt him and thoſe others, who had been
his inftruments in that ſcandalous proceed-
ing. The charge was foon drawn up, as
Mr. Ferrar had all the neceffary materials
ready in his hands. The accufation was
opened by him in a ſpeech which lafted two
•
hours,
( 151 )
hours, and which gained him univerſal ad-
miration. For now he was fully and pub-
lickly feen in this exertion of his great abi-
lities. The Ld. Treaſurer was deprived of
his office, and puniſhed by a large fine, and
impriſonment *
The iniquity of the Virginia buſineſs be-
ing fully proved, and laid before the public,
by Mr. Ferrar, and the other managers, the
houſe refolved to take the whole affair into
their ferious confideration, and endeavour
to reſtore the company. But before they
could make any progrefs they received a
meffage
*Lionel Cranfield, a merchant of London, having for
his great abilities been firſt made maſter of the requeſts,
Nov. 20, 14 Jac. next maſter of the King's great ward-
robe, then Jan. 15, 16 Jac. mafter of the wards: after-
wards Jan. 15, 18 Jac. a privy councellor, and Jul. 9,
19 Jac. advanced to the degree of a Baron of this realm,
by the title of Lord Cranfield of Cranfield in Com. Bed.
was on Oct. 13, following, made Lord Treaſurer of Eng-
land; and by letters patent, Sep. 16, 1622, created Earl
of Middlefex: but in the Parliament of 22 Jac. he was
deprived of his office of Ld. Treaſurer, fined fifty thouſand
pounds, and committed priſoner to the Tower of London.
Dugd. Extinct Bar. Vol. II. p. 446.
K 4
( 152 )
meffage from the King "That he both
already had, and would alſo hereafter take
"the affair of the faid late Virginia com-
"C pany into his own moſt ſerious confidera-
"tion and care: and that by the next Par-
"liament they ſhould all fee he would make
"it one of his maſter pieces, as it well de-
"ferved to be." And thus was all farther
proceeding in that matter diſhonourably
ftayed. For, as the event fhewed, all theſe
were nothing but fair words without any
other intention than to ftop the buſineſs.
No care was taken of the plantation, but all
was left to go to ruin. The violence and
injuſtice, and other miferies confequent up-
on this falfehood, and repeated breach of
honour in the King would fupply a large
ſtory: but for divers reafons they are not
proper to be here inſerted.
When Mr. Ferrar was first elected deputy
Governor of the company, and by his office
became accurately aquainted with all their
circumftances, he was foon convinced of the
unbounded influence of Gondomar, of the
1
King's
( 153 )
King's aftoniſhing infatuation, his total dif
regard of truth, and juftice, his abfurd va-
nity, with the obftinacy and tyranny of his
diſpoſition. Such a King as James, was the
propereſt inſtrument that could be found
for fuch a workman as Gondomar; and Mr.
Ferrar plainly faw the malice of the one,
and the folly of the other; and like a wife
man provided all in his power againſt future
contingencies. He faw that Gondomar by
means of the King would probably ruin the
company; and that if they ſhould carry this
point, they most likely would cauſe all the
court books, regiſters, inftructions, and all
other writings of the company to be taken
away from their officers: that if opportunity
ſhould afterward be offered, they might
never be able to make uſe of them either for
their own juſtification, or in refutation of
the falſe accuſations of their enemies.
did not therefore depend upon the preſent
promifing appearance of their affairs: he
knew that malice was at work; and he had
frequently feen a temporary calm precede
the moſt deſtructive ſtorm.
He
Being
( 154 )
Being under apprehenfions of this fort,
about a year before the diffolution of the
company, he procured an expert clerk fairly
to copy out all the court books, and all
other writings belonging to them, and cauf-
ed them all to be carefully collated with the
originals, and afterward attefted upon oath
by the examiners to be true copies. The
tranfcribing of which coft him out of his
own pocket above 50: but this he thought
one of the beſt ſervices he could do the
company.
When the Lords of the council therefore
had (as before related) feized the originals,
Mr. Ferrar had all theſe attefted copies, as
yet unknown to any of the company, ſafe
in his poffeffion. But now when the Ld.
Treaſurer had procured fentence in form
againſt the company, and all their muni-
ments had been taken from them, Mr. Fer-
rar informed Sir Edwyn Sandys, and fome
other of his moſt intimate friends, what a
treaſure he had yet remaining in his hands;
and defired their opinion how he might beſt
dif
( 155 )
diſpoſe of them. On hearing this they were
equally ſurpriſed and overjoyed, and unani-
mouſly defired him to carry them to their
late worthy Governor the Earl of South-
ampton. He did ſo, and farther told his
Lordſhip, that he now left them entirely to
his Lordship's care and diſpoſal: that if here-
after there ſhould be opportunity, he might
make uſe of them in juftification of his own,
and the late company's moſt honourable
and upright proceedings.
The Earl of Southampton cordially em-
bracing Mr. Ferrar, faid to him, You ftill
more and more engage me to love and ho-
nour you. I accept of this your preſent as
of a rich treaſure. For theſe are evidences
that concern my honour. I fhall value them
therefore even more than the evidences that
concern my lands: inafmuch as my honour,
and reputation are to me of more eſtima-
tion than wealth or life itſelf. They are
alſo the teſtimonials of all our upright deal
ings in the buſineſs of the late company
and the plantation. I cannot therefore ex-
prefs
( 156 )
prefs how highly I think myſelf obliged to
you for this inftance of your care and fore-
fight.
Soon after this interview, Ld. Southamp-
ton was adviſed not to keep theſe books in
his own houſe, left ſearch fhould be made
there for them; but rather to place them in
the hands, and entruſt them to the care of
fome particular friend. Which advice, as
the times then ſtood, he thought proper to
follow. He therefore delivered them into
the cuſtody of Sir R. Killegrew, who kept
them fafely till he died. He left and re-
commended them to the care of Sir Edward
Sackville, late Earl of Dorſet, who died in
May, 1652: and it is hoped that this noble
family ſtill hath them in fafe keeping *
Mr.
* On application to the Duke of Dorſet, his Grace
with the utmoſt liberality of mind, and moſt polite con-
defcenfion directed his library to be fearched for this ma-
nufcript. The fearch was fruitlefs; but fome detached
papers were found which his Grace moſt obligingly fent
to me. From theſe, as containing as far as they go, au-
thoritative proof of the matters advanced in the preced-
!
ing
( 157 )
Mr. Ferrar having feen the diffolution of
the Virginia company, and no hope left of
its
ing narration, I fhall here infert the following extracts,
amounting, as I think, to that degree of evidence for the
veracity of theſe Memoirs which will be fatisfactory to
every impartial reader.
I take this opportunity to make my fincere acknow-
ledgments to Mr. Hooker of Tunbridge for his obliging
readineſs, and the great care and trouble he has had in
making this inveſtigation.
The Duke of Dorfet's papers are in feveral feparate
parcels; and that which is marked No. 21, contains a
letter from Sir George Yeardly to the council in the fol-
lowing terms,
Right Honourable, &c.
}
The people here having taken notice of his Majeſty's
proclamation againſt the importation of Tobacco, have
offered unto us the petition herewith fent, defiring us to
be a means fo to commend it unto you as that it may be
preſented to his Majeſty, and his gracious anſwer there-
unto obtained, which their defire together with our own,
we do hereby offer unto you, humbly entreating it may
be delivered in as humble and effectual a manner as may
be, feeing the life of the plantations dependeth on the
welfare of it. And fo we humbly leave you and the fuc-
cefs thereof to the pleaſure of the Almighty, and remain
yours in all humble fervice
James City,
Jan. 23, 1620.
Geo. Yeardly, Geo. Thorpe,
Tho. Mue, Jo. Rolf,
Nath Powle, J. Kenntes.
Jo, Pory, Secr.
To
( 158 )
its revival, took his leave of the Virginia
affairs by now paying the 300, left by his
father
To the King's moſt excellent Majefty, the humble
petition of the diſtreſſed Colony in Virginia.
Shewing that whereas it pleaſed your Majeſty now
many years fince out of your religious defire to ſpread the
Goſpel of Chrift, and princely ambition to enlarge your
own dominions, to give encouragement to us your Ma-
jeſty's poor ſubjects, by many goodly priviledges and li-
berties, under your Majefty's Great Seal of England
(than which we could account no earthly thing more firm)
to adventure our lives and fortunes hither for thoſe in-
tents: in which enterprizes to tell how great things many
of us have ſuffered through hunger alone, would be as
incredible as horrible to report to your facred ears;
which difficulties we by the favour of God having in
ſome fort overcome, and brought ourſelves to fome abi-
lity of ſubſiſtence, without any other help from England
but only by courfe of Mr. Sandis, we are now like to be
returned to the fame or worfe difficulties by the finifter
practices of fome principal perſons of our own company,
as fome, who pretending your Majefty's profit but in-
tending their own more, have gone about to blow us up
at our meeting with a proclamation which they have
penned from your Majefty (as we hope upon fome falſe
grounds) prohibiting our importation of Tobacco, the
only commodity which we have hitherto had means to
raiſe towards the apparelling our bodies, and other need-
ful ſupplements; other things of more real value, and
conftant fale requiring more time in the growth than our
neceffities would allow, and more helps to practiſe than
we have till of late been furniſhed withal; by which courſe
P
we
( 159 )
father for the purpoſe of erecting a College
there, to the Governor and company of the
Somers
we are plunged into fo great extremities, that now re-
mains neither help nor hope, but that here we muſt all
periſh for want of cloathing and other neceffaries, ſuch
as both our nature fometimes, and breeding may require;
whereby your Majefty fhall not only loſe ſo many good
and loyal fubjects as have hither adventured their lives
and ſubſtance, in God's ſervice and your Majeſtys, but
with them the hope of a territory and lands, as opulent
to be made as any of thoſe kingdoms which you now
poffefs.
May it therefore pleaſe your Majeſty out of your
princely compaffion, fince we are affured that you tender
the lives, and welfare of your ſubjects beyond thouſands
of gold and filver, and your royal word ratified by your
Great Seal far above both, either to revoke that procla-
mation, and ſo reſtore us to our antient liberty, or other-
wife to fend for us all home, and not to ſuffer the heathen
to triumph over us and fay, Where is now their God?
fo fhall we all as we are in duty bound pray for your Ma-
jeſty's long life and happy reign.
This application was made in the year 1620, and we
fee by the ftile of the petition what fort of meaſures the
King had taken to deprive the company of thoſe rights
which he had folemnly granted under the Great Seal of
England, and the pledge of his own honour.
After this a negotiation was carried on between the
Ld. Treaſurer and the company, by which they came to
an agreement that on certain payments made to the
King, the company fhould be permitted to continue: but
this
( 160 )
$
Somers Inlands: binding them in articles to
fend for three Virginia children, and bring
them
this was no better than a robbery. At length this mat-
ter was compromiſed on the following
Propofitions agreed on by the Ld. H. Treaſurer of Eng-
land, and the company of Virginia and Summer Iſlands touch-
ing the fole importation of Tobacco.
By this agreement they are to have the fole importa-
tion, which is not confined to England.
The paper containing theſe propofitions (marked No.
12. in the D. of Dorfet's collection) is an authentic pa-
per: it is figned by the Ld. Treaſurer's own hand. The
authenticity of the fignature, Middlefex, is fufficiently
proved by its preciſe agreement with the fac fimile of his
writing in the Repertorium Chiro. Technicum preſerved
in the Pepys Library in Magdalen College, Cambridge.
This deed is dated Feb. 27, 1622.
Theſe propofitions were laid firft before a quarterly
court, July 3, and again, according to the rules of the
company before a Great General Court, July 10, 1622.
They are as follow.
Propofitions, &c.
1. That the fole importation be granted under letters
patent to the Virginia company.
2. That all others are inhibited under pain of confifcation.
3. That the planting Tobacco in England and Ireland
be prohibited.
4. That in confideration, the company fhall pay to his
Majeſty the clear proceed of a third, provided they
ſhall not be conftrained to import more than they think
ft.
5. That
}
!
( 161 )
them up in thoſe iſlands: and when of fit
age to put them out to fome proper buſineſs:
Ο
5. That a medium be taken of the laſt ſeven years, and
his Majeſty have the third.
6. That his Majefty be difburthened from all payment
of freight, &c. if he will pay the third of landing, car-
rying, houſing, keeping, tending, curing, forting, &c.
7. Concerns the adjuſtment of fale, &c.
8. Reſtraints upon the company concerning Spaniſh To-
bacco.
9. Concerns a rate to be ſettled.
10. The number of licences.
II. The means of preventing other importations.
12. The preventing the importation of Spaniſh Tobacco.
13. Confifcations.
14. The diſpoſal of the confiſcations.
15. Survey of Tobacco now remaining.
16. That this contract begin at Michaelmas, 1622, for
feven years.
17. That the grant be conftrued beneficially for the com-
pany. Signed, Concordat, Ed. Collingwood, Secr.
Theſe propofitions are contained in the paper marked
No. 12. and figned, Middlefex.
The paper marked No. 7. contains the account above-
mentioned of the Spaniſh, Virginia, and Bermudas To-
bacco, for the years 1615, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 1621.
That marked No. 18. contains an abſtract of this account
for the time ſpecified.
By the paper marked No. 1. it appears that there had
immediately after this tranfaction been fome management
between the Treaſurer and a private court for the com-
pany to pay in money, it is a copy of the order of court for
L
paying,
1
( 162 )
or elſe educate them in learning and then
fend them back to the place of their birth,
to
paying, &c. in fpecie, and is dated within a week of the
preceding agreement.
At a court for Virginia the 17th of July, 1622.
It was agreed to pay the cuſtom of Tobacco in ſpecie,
rather than the medium, and that this ſhould be fignified
to the Ld. Treaſurer, acknowledging that this inferior
court hath no power to alter that which was folemnly
ratified in a Great General Court; not doubting but if the
next great court for Virginia fhall not approve thereof,
they ſhall entreat his Lordship their firft order may ſtand.
Ed. Collingwood, Secr.
The management in this inftance requires not any
comment.
Soon after the agreement with the company figned by
the Ld. Treaſurer, feveral fchemes were fet in motion to
defeat the purpoſe of it, and deprive the company of their
privileges, under the fpecious pretence of advantage to
the King. One is called (pap. No. 5.) a project how
his Majeſty may gain 40,000£. a year by the importation
of Virginia and Bermudas Tobacco, &c. it is dated
June 30, 1622. This was an attempt, within three days
of the preceding order, to break the Treaſurer's agree-
ment with the company before the day on which it was
to have taken place, and is nothing more than a plan, in
direct breach of contract, to put a large fum of money in
his Majeſty's pocket, by forcing the company into fome
meaſures of which they did not approve: for in the 8th
article it is ſaid, That if the Virginia and Bermudas com-
.pany
will not be willing to agree with his Majefty, then
let them be forced to bring in all the Tobacco of their
coun-
:
( 163 )
B.
to convert their countrymen: and that
when the firſt three were thus diſpoſed of,
three
countries into the port of London, none of which ſhall
be fold till it be fealed, &c. Another is called, Reaſons
for a free trade of Tobacco. Another, Reaſons againſt
the contract. Another, Reaſons againſt the ſole impor-
tation. Another, Propofitions, &c. with notes, and cor-
rections of the Ld. Treaſurer: all in favour of the King,
and injury of the company.
The paper marked No. 13. contains a full anſwer to
the calumnies against the company and a clear juftifica-
tion of the integrity of their proceedings. But befide the
attempts which were in fome degree public, there were
other offers of a private nature to which I fhall not give
the name they deſerve.
The paper marked No. 17. contains the two following
propofitions.
J. S. doth humbly offer unto his Majefty for the farm
of Spaniſh Tobacco, not exceeding 60,000 lb. wt.
10,000£. a year for ſeven years.
J. S. doth farther in all humbleneſs offer unto his Ma-
jeſty for fetting open the trade of Spaniſh Tobacco, with
injunction that all the Virginia and Bermudas Tobacco
ſhall be brought into this kingdom, and will be bound to
give unto his Majeſty 10,000£. a year, to be paid half-
yearly, or within 40 days after each rent day.
It ſeems as if this bribe had been accepted, for the
paper marked No. 10. implies that notwithſtanding the
patent, notwithſtanding a pofitive agreement that the
company might import into Ireland, and elfwhere, there
had nevertheleſs been an order of council to prohibit impor-
tation, except into England; it is entitled
1 2
The
(
( 164 )
1
three other ſhould from time to time be fent
for in fucceffion for the fame benevolent
purpoſe.
And
The humble anſwer of the company, &c. to the Lords
of the privy council touching their command for import-
ing all Tobacco, and all other goods into England; ſet-
ting forth their willingneſs to obey, but fpecifying the
grievance, and the impoffibility of fo doing; ftating the
contradiction of this command to the exprefs words of
the King's letters patent, under the Great Seal: the
breaking the priviledges, and immunities thereby grant-
ed: by virtue of which the company have alfo granted
fub-patents with the fame liberties and priviledges as they
themſelves enjoy: whereby the Patentees have been in-
duced to go in perfon to thofe plantations, fundry of
them being of noble and worthy families, and to expend,
fome of them great fums, and others their whole eftates
in thoſe plantations; and that it is not now in the power
of the company to revoke, or reſtrain their former grants;
the bare attempt whereof would difhearten all preſent and
future adventurers. Many other grievances are then
ſpecified which prove this order of council to be an act
of the higheſt injuftice and tyranny. The anſwer con-
cludes thus, Ļaftly, your Lordſhips may be pleaſed to be
advertiſed that by his Majeftys letters patent we are ex-
preſsly reſtrained from concluding any thing touching the
ſettling of trade, otherwiſe than in our four great quar-
terly courts, to be held in the four terms. Nevertheleſs
in the mean time we fhall do our beſt endeavours for
holding of the trade fo much as may be to this realm;
which we fuppofe can by no means be ſo well effected as
by the continuance firft of his Majefty's gracious Grace,
and
( 165 )
And thus ended Mr. Ferrar's public life,
in which he diſplayed many proofs of great
and
and next of your Lordfhips accuftomed favour to the
plantations.
But no attention was paid either to their humble ap-
plications or the juftice of their caufe. Nothing lefs
than all can fatisfy an avaritious tyrant. He forcibly
wrefted from the company their patent in the manner
as hath been related.
There are ſtill in my poffeffion many original papers
referring to the patent, and the proceedings of ſeveral of
the principal adventurers under that authority: many ex-
aminations and depofitions taken on oath, and clearly
evincing the ſhameful practices that had been uſed againſt
the company. There are alfo many papers of a different
fort, proving the integrity and honour of the company in
all their proceedings: fhewing their intentions, and pro-
jects for erecting furnaces, and forges for iron works;
their plans for raifing and multiplying mulberry trees;
and their truly patriotic deſigns in various other articles
of great importance: their fchemes for laying out their
allotments for experiments in order to improve and cul-
tivate their lands to the beſt account: particularly a letter
to Mr. Ferrar upon this ſubject, figned Nicholas Hyde,
from the Middle Temple, May 9, 1622. There are alfo
many other papers containing accurate regifters of the
perfons fent over, male or female, the county, pariſh,
age, and occupation of each, with directions for their
proper accommodation. One of thefe orders may fuffice
as an example.
Lieutenant Perkinfon, "the bearer hereof, Abigail
Downing, widow, hath paid for her own paffage; fo that
1 3
ine
( 166 )
166)
and extenfive abilities, and of uncommon
virtue, particularly of indefatigable diligence,
induſtry, and activity, by which he gained
univerfal admiration, and performed many
important fervices, both to the Virginia
company, and all others with whom he was
concerned.
The King having feized the patent and
diffolved the Virginia company, and Mr.
Ferrar having feen the atteſted copies of all
the books and papers belonging to them de-
livered into ſafe cuftody in the Dorſet fami-
ly, he was now disengaged from public cares,
and determined to carry into execution the
plan he had long fet his heart upon, to bid
farewel
fhe is free to difpofe of herſelf when fhe cometh to Vir-
ginia. But if ſhe think good to live with you, the ad-
venturers are content that you allow her victual, and diet,
as to your other people; and farther, they defire you to
have a care of her, and let her have your good councel
and advice, for beſtowing her upon fome honeft man; her
kindred are honeft people of good faſhion, and well
known to divers of the fociety. During the time of her
ſtaying with you, fhe hath promiſed to take pains, and
do all fervice that is fit: fo we pray you, if the deferve
better, to make her fome other recompence."
1
$
( 167 )
farewel to the buſy world, and ſpend the
remainder of his days in religious retirement,
and a strict courfe of devotion.
Yet before he could compleat his pious
purpoſe it was neceffary for him finally to
fettle fome matters of great conſequence,
though of a private nature, which had been
entrusted to his care. His eſtabliſhed re-
putation for inflexible integrity had influ-
enced ſeveral perſons to prevail with him to
undertake the executorship of their wills,
and the ſettlement of their worldly affairs:
and in fome of thefe inftances this truft
concerned property of great value, and was
involved in circumſtances of great difficulty.
Befide thefe occupations relative to the pro-
perty of others, the fituation of his brother
required his immediate and cloſe attention.
Mr. John Ferrar had been for three years
deputy Governor of the Virginia company,
and in order to give himſelf up wholly to
the diſcharge of that important truſt, he
had put into the hands of his partners in
mercantile buſineſs ſeven thouſand pounds,
I 4
and
( 168 )
and affigned the management of thofe affairs
over to them. He alfo advanced fix thou-
fand pounds more to them, for which he
was engaged by a perfonal fecurity. Whe-
ther it were by mifmanagement or misfor-
tune does not at prefent appear, but about
this time the concerns of this partnerſhip
were fallen into the greateſt confufion, and
involved in the utmoſt embaraſſment. Mr.
N. Ferrar nevertheleſs by his great fagacity,
and indefatigable induſtry, in a ſhorter time
than could be believed, extricated his bro-
ther from all his difficulties, and fettled his
affairs in the moſt honourable manner at
the loſs of about three thouſand pounds.
His next care was to provide a place fitted
for the purpoſe and correſponding with his
ideas of religious retirement. His mother
had indeed a very large houſe in London,
in which had been holden the meetings of
the Virginia company: fhe had alſo a con-
fiderable eſtate, and a large houſe in the
town of Hertford. But neither of theſe
places had his approbation, both being too
much in view of the public.
At
( 169 )
At length he was informed that the Lord-
fhip of Little Gidding in the county of Hun-
tingdon was to be fold. He immediately
went thither to examine the place and pre-
mifes, which he found with refpect to pri-
vacy of fituation exactly fuited to his wifhes.
It was a pariſh that had been for ſome time
depopulated. Nothing was left but one ex-
tremely large manſion houſe, going haftily
to decay, and a ſmall Church within thirty
or forty paces of the houſe, and at that time
converted into a barn. Upon his return to
London he purchaſed the whole lordſhip,
and this purchaſe was made in the year 1624.
But now the plague having been ſome
time in London, was in the year 1625 fpread
over moſt parts of the town, and was dif
covered to be at the very next door to Mrs.
Ferrar's houfe. Mr. N. Ferrar was there-
fore very urgent that he and the family
would immediately depart into the country:
but while fhe lingered, being unwilling to
leave him behind, he procured a coach and
at length prevailed: and that very night,
Whitfun-
3
( 170 )
Whitfun-eve, ſhe with her fon John, and
the reſt of the family went to her houſe at
Hertford, and the following week to her
daughter Collet's at Bourne Bridge in Cam-
bridgeshire.
Mr. N. Ferrar would have attended his
mother, but that he had not compleatly fet-
tled his brother's affairs. During this bu-
finefs, Mr. J. Ferrar, leaving his mother at
Bourne, went to Gidding to make ſome ne-
ceffary preparation there for the reception
of the family, who were now become very
unhappy at the ſtay of Mr. N. Ferrar in
London, as they had been informed that the
diſorder was fatal every week to more than
four thousand perfons*. As foon as he had
finiſhed
* Whitlock fays that at this time the plague raged with
fuch violence in London, that in one week died 5000 per-
fons. That it alfo fpread into many places in the coun-
try, where whole families were ſwept away by it. That
it fell to Judge Whitlock's turn to adjourn the Michael-
mas term, and that he went from his houſe in Bucking-
hamſhire ſo as to arrive early in the morning at Hyde
Park corner; where he and his retinue dined on the
ground on provifions they had brought in the coach. He
drove very ſpeedily through the ſtreets, which were empty
of
( 171 )
finiſhed the buſineſs which required his ſtay,
he, with great joy and gratitude to God,
repaired to Gidding: from whence he wrote
to his mother entreating her not to come to
him in leſs than a month, that it might ap-
pear whether he had brought away any in-
fection with him. But her impatience to
fee him was fo great, that three days after
The rode thither, and their meeting was fuch
as might, at that time, be expected between
a pious parent and a dutiful fon, to the
higheſt degree mutually affectionate. In its
circumſtances indeed very different from the
modern meetings of parent and fon: for he,
though twenty feven years of age, who had
been engaged in many public concerns of
great importance, had been a diftinguiſhed
member of Parliament, and had conducted
with effect the profecution of the prime mi-
niſter of the day, at first approaching his
mother, knelt upon the ground to aſk, and
receive
of people and overgrown with grafs, to Weftminſter
Hall; where the officers being ready, he went directly to
the King's Bench, adjourned the court, and immediately
returned into the country. In this year in London died
of the plague 35,417. Memorials.
( 172 )
receive her bleffing. Modern cuſtoms indi-
cate a great change of manners with reſpect
to the reverence then thought due to pa-
rents. He then befought her to go into the
houſe, rude as it was, and repofe herſelf.
This ſhe refuſed till ſhe had given thanks to
God in the Church, which was very near at
hand. But ſhe was exceedingly grieved to
find it filled with hay, and inſtruments of
huſbandry. Immediately all the workmen,
many in number, employed in the repair of
the houſe, were fet to cleanfe, and repair
the Church: for fhe faid fhe would not fuf-
fer her eyes to fleep, nor her eyelids to flum-
ber, till ſhe had purified the temple of the
Lord, and made it a habitation fit for the
living God. In about a month's time, find-
ing that all danger of infection was over,
the fent for her beloved daughter Collet,
and her huſband, and all their numerous
family to come and live with her at Gid-
ding.
of
Mrs. Ferrar was now feventy three years
age, yet was ſhe poffeffed of ſo much vi-
gour,
!
( 173 )
and had ſo much of the appearance
gour,
as well as the reality of health, that all who
faw her concluded her to be not more than
forty. Her family now confifted of near
forty perfons; and it being a feafon of deep
humiliation on account of the mortality
then become general all over the kingdom,
it was determined to addrefs themſelves to
God, as often as they conveniently could,
according to the doctrine and diſcipline by
Law eſtabliſhed in the Church of England.
To this end, Mr. N. Ferrar obtained per-
miffion of his old acquaintance Bp. Williams
to have the ſervice performed in the Church,
which was now put into decent repair; and
he procured the Minifter of the adjoining
pariſh to read the morning ſervice every day
at eight o'clock, the Litany at ten, and the
evening fervice at four. On the Sunday
mornings the whole family went to Steeple
Gidding, and in the afternoon, the Minifter
of that parith, and his parishioners came to
the Church newly repaired by Mrs. Ferrar.
At Eaſter, 1626, the plague being then
ceaſed,
( 174 )
ceaſed, Mr. N. Ferrar and his mother, and
fome other of the family went to London,
to diſpoſe of their great houſe there, to ſet-
tle their remaining affairs, and to take a
final leave of all their friends. When they
had been fome little time in London, he re-
folved, in order the better to carry on his
religious plan by his own perſonal affift-
ance, to become a Deacon. This refolution
he communicated to none but his honoured
Tutor, Dr. Lindfel, who highly applauded
it, and introduced him to Dr. Laud, then
Bp. of St. Davids, by whom he was ordain-
ed Deacon on the Trinity Sunday following.
On his return home he addreffed himſelf
to his mother, and ſhewed her in a writing
figned, a vow which he had made with great
folemnity; That fince God had fo often
heard his moſt humble petitions, and deli-
vered him out of many dangers; and in
many deſperate calamities had extended his
mercy to him; he would therefore now give
himſelf up continually to ferve God to the
utmoſt of his power, in the office of a Dea-
con:
( 175 )
con: into which office he had that very
morning been regularly ordained. That he
had long ago ſeen enough of the manners,
and of the vanities of the world; and that
he did hold them all in fo low eſteem, that
he was refolved to ſpend the remainder of
his Life in Mortifications, in Devotion, and
Charity, and in a conſtant preparation for
Death.
There is reafon to believe that even in
his infancy, and before he fet out upon his
travels, and after his great eſcape upon the
Alps, he did privately, and folemnly devote
himſelf to God; and that after his unex-
pected recovery from his dangerous illneſs
both at Padua, and Marſeilles, he repeated
theſe pious refolutions, adding alfo a vow
of perpetual celibacy. This, if true, may
account for his extraordinary continence
(though in the full prime and vigour of life)
in refufing the offer of a young Lady of in-
comparable beauty and rare accompliſh-
ments: of the moſt amiable difpofition, and
of an immenfe fortune; who had alfo in-
genuouſly
( 176 )
176)
AT
G
genuouſly confeffed that he had won her
higheſt approbation and eſteem. Inftances
of fuch firmneſs of mind and ſelf-denial fel-
dom occur.
The news of Mr. Ferrar being ordained
was foon ſpread abroad both in the city and
at court; as in both he was univerfally
known and very highly eſteemed. His con-
ſtant friends the Marquis of Hamilton, Ld.
Pembroke, and Sir Edwyn Sandys took this
opportunity of faying to him, That though
he had formerly refuſed all temporal emo-
luments, yet now he had taken Orders, they
muſt ſuppoſe that he had not any objection
to Spiritual preferment, and immediately
made him an offer of fome ecclefiaftical be-
nefices of great value. Theſe he refuſed
with ſteadineſs and humility, faying that he
did not think himſelf worthy. He added
alſo that his fixed determination was to riſe
no higher in the Church, than the place and
office which he now poffeffed, and which he
had undertaken only with the view to be
legally authoriſed to give ſpiritual affiſtance,
ac-
( 177 )
according to his abilities, to his family or
others, with whom he might be concerned.
That as to temporal affairs, he had now
parted with all his worldly eſtate, and di-
vided it amongſt his family. That he ear-
neftly befought his honoured friends to ac-
cept his fincere thanks for their good opi-
nion of him, for whoſe proſperity both in
this world and a better he would never ceaſe
to pray. And now having finiſhed all buſi-
neſs in London, and taken a folemn and
final leave of all their friends, he and his
mother returned to Gidding.
It now comes in courſe to ſpeak of the
eſtabliſhed œconomy both of the houſe and
the Church; and it is hoped that the reader
will here excuſe a circumftantial relation:
becauſe on theſe very circumſtances, mifap-
prehended, and mifreprefented, were found-
ed all the calumnies and perfecution which
the family afterward ſuffered.
Many workmen having been employed
near two years, both the houſe and Church
M
were
( 178 )
were in tolerable repair, yet with respect to
the Church Mrs. Ferrar was not well fatif-
fied. She therefore new floored, and wain-
fcotted it throughout. She provided alfo
two new fuits of furniture for the reading
deſk, pulpit, and communion table: one for
the week days, the other for Sundays, and
other feſtivals. The furniture for week
days was of green cloth, with fuitable
cufhions and carpets. That for feftivals
was of rich blue cloth, with cuſhions of the
fame, decorated with lace, and fringe of fil-
ver. The pulpit was fixed on the north,
and the reading defk over againſt it, on the
fouth fide of the Church, and both on the
fame level: it being thought improper that
a higher place fhould be appointed for
preaching, than that which was allotted for
prayer. A new font was alſo provided, the
leg, laver, and cover all of braſs, handfomely
and expenſively wrought and carved; with
a large braſs lectern, or pillar and eagle of
braſs for the Bible. The font was placed
by the pulpit, and the lectern by the read-
ing deſk.
The
( 179 )
The half-pace, or elvated floor on which
the communion table ſtood at the end of
the Chancel, with the ftalls on each fide,
was covered with blue taffety, and cuſhions
of the fineſt tapeſtry and blue filk. The
ſpace behind the communion table, under
the eaſt window, was elegantly wainſcotted,
and adorned with the Ten Commandments,
the Lord's Prayer, and the Apoſtles' Creed,
engraved on four beautiful tablets of braſs,
gilt.
The communion table itſelf was furniſh-
ed with a filver patin, a filver chalice, and
filver candleſticks, with large wax candles
in them. Many other candles of the fame
fort were ſet up in every part of the Church,
and on all the pillars of the ftalls. And
theſe were not for the purpoſes of fuperfti-
tion, but for real uſe; which for great part
of the year the fixed hours of prayer made
neceffary both for morning and evening
fervice. Mrs. Ferrar alfo taking great de-
light in Church mufic, built a gallery at
the bottom of the Church for the organ.
M 2
Thus
( 180 )
Thus was the Church decently furniſhed,
and ever after kept elegantly neat and clean.
All matters preparatory to order and dif-
cipline being arranged and fettled, about the
year 1631, Dr. Williams, the Bp. of Lin-
coln, came privately to Gidding, to pay a
vifit to his old friend Mr. N. Ferrar, with
whom he had contracted a friendſhip at the
Virginia board, and for whom he ever held
the higheſt and moſt affectionate eſteem.
By this vifit he had an opportunity to
view the Church, and the houſe, and to ex-
amine into their way of ferving God, which
had been much ſpoken againft; to know
alſo the foundness of the doctrine they
maintained: to read the rules which Mr. N.
Ferrar had drawn up for watching, faſting,
and praying, for finging pfalms and hymns,
for their exerciſes in readings, and repeti-
tions; for their diftribution of alms, their
care of the fick, and wounded; and all other
regularities of their inftitution. All which
the Biſhop highly approved, and bad them
in God's name to proceed.
In
( 181 )
In 1633 Mrs. Ferrar came to a refolution
to reſtore the glebe lands and tithes to the
Church, which fome fourfcore years before
had been taken away, and in lieu thereof
only 20£. a year paid to the Miniſter. She
had from the firſt been fo refolved, but had
been put off by unexpected delays. She
found great difficulty in making out the
glebe lands: but at length by the induſtry of
Mr. N. Ferrar fhe overcame it. She then
fent her fons John and Nicholas with a let-
ter to the Biſhop informing him of her de-
termination, and defiring it might be con-
firmed by his authority. This authority
from the Bishop was farther ſtrengthened
by a decree in chancery under Ld. Coventry,
In the fpring of 1634, the Bp. to make
fome acknowledgment of this generofity,
gave notice, that he would again pay a viſit
to the family and give them a Sermon.
And it being known that he was a lover of
Church mufic, application was made to Dr.
Towers, Dean of Peterborough, who fent
his whole choir to Gidding on the occaſion.
Divine
M 3
(182)
:
Divine fervice was performed throughout in
the Cathedral manner with great folemnity.
The Bp. preached a Sermon adapted to the
occafion, and in the afternoon gave confir-
mation to all of the neighbourhood who
defired it.
Every thing relative to the Church being
now compleatly fettled, Mr. Ferrar next
turned his attention to the difpofition of the
manfion. The houſe being very large, and
containing many apartments, he allotted one
great room for their family devotions, which
he called the oratory, and adjoining to this,
two other convenient rooms, one a night
oratory for the men, the other a night ora-
tory for the women; he alſo fet out a fepa-
rate chamber and cloſet for each of his ne-
phews and nieces: three more he referved
for the ſchoolmasters; and his own lodgings
were fo contrived that he could conveniently
fee that every thing was conducted with de-
cency and order: without doors he laid out
the gardens in a beautiful manner, and
formed in them many fair walks.
Another
( 183 )
Another circumftance that engaged his
attention was, that the parish had for many
years been turned into pafture grounds; that
as there was a very large dovecote, and a
great number of pigeons upon the premiſes,
theſe pigeons must confequently feed upon
his neighbours corn; and this he thought
injuftice. He therefore converted this build-
ing into a ſchoolhoufe, which being larger
than was wanted for the young people of
the family, permiffion was given to as many
of the neighbouring towns as defired it, to
fend their children thither, where they were
inſtructed without expence, in reading, writ-
ing, arithmetic, and the principles of the
Chriſtian Religion.
For this and other purpoſes he provided
three maſters to be conftantly refident in the
houſe with him. The firft was to teach
Engliſh to ſtrangers, and English and Latin
to the children of the family: the fecond,
good writing in all its hands, and arithme-
tic in all its branches: the third, to inſtruct
them in the theory and practice of muſic, in
fing-
M 4
:
1
( 184 )
finging, and performing upon the organ,
viol, and lute: on the laſt inftrument his
fifter Collet was a diſtinguiſhed performer.
For all theſe things the children had their
ſtated times and hours. So that though
they were always in action, and always
learning ſomething, yet the great variety of
things they were taught prevented all weari-
neſs, and made every thing be received with
pleaſure. And he was uſed to ſay that he
who could attain to the well-timing things,
had gained an important point, and found
the ſureſt way to accompliſh great defigns
with eaſe.
On Thurſdays, and Saturdays in the af-
ternoons, the youths were permitted to re-
create themſelves with bows and arrows,
with running, leaping, and vaulting, and
what other manly exerciſes they themselves
liked beft. With refpect to the younger
part of the females, the general mode of
education was fimilar to that of the boys,
except where the difference of fex made a
diffe-
( 185 )
different employment or recreation proper.
When the powers of reafon and judgment
became in fome degree matured, they were
all at proper times taken under the imme-
diate inftruction of Mr. Ferrar himſelf, who
beſtowed ſeveral hours every day in that im-
portant employment. According to the ca-
pacity of each he gave them paffages of
ſcripture to get by heart, and particularly
the whole book of Pfalms. He ſelected
proper portions of which he gave a clear
explanation, and a judicious comment. But
above all things he was anxiouſly attentive
to daily catachetical lectures, according to
the doctrine of the Church of England. And
in order to make his pious labours exten-
fively beneficial, he invited the children of
all the furrounding pariſhes, to get the book
of Pfalms by heart. To encourage them to
this performance, each was preſented with
a pfalter: all were to repair to Gidding every
Sunday morning, and each was to repeat
his Pfalm, till they could all repeat the
whole book. Theſe Pfalm-children, as they
were called, more than a hundred in num-
ber,
( 186 )
ber, received every Sunday, according to the
proficiency of each, a ſmall pecuniary re-
ward and a dinner, which was conducted
with great regularity. For when they re-
turned from Church, long treftles were
placed in the middle of the great hall, round
which the children ftood in great order.
Mrs. Ferrar, and her family then came in
to fee them ſerved. The fervants brought
in baked puddings and meat: which was
the only repaft provided on Sundays for the
whole family, that all might have an op-
portunity of attending Divine ſervice at
Church. She then fet on the firſt diſh her-
felf, to give an example of humility. Grace
was faid, and then the bell rang for the fa-
mily, who thereupon repaired to the great
dining room, and ſtood in order round the
table. Whilft the dinner was ferving, they
fang a hymn to the organ: then grace was
faid by the Minifter of the parish, and they
fat down. During dinner one of the younger
people, whoſe turn it was, read a chapter in
the Bible, and when that was finiſhed, an-
other recited fome chofen ſtory out of the
book
( 187 )
book of Martyrs, or Mr. Ferrar's fhort hifto-
ries. When the dinner was finiſhed through-
out the family, at two o'clock the bell fum-
moned them to Church to evening ſervice,
whither they went in a regular form of pro-
ceffion, Mr. N. Ferrar fometimes leading
his mother, fometimes going laſt in the
train: and having all returned from Church
in the fame form, thus ended the public em-
ployment of every Sunday.
Immediately after Church the family all
went into the oratory, where ſelect portions
of the Pfalms were repeated, and then all
were at liberty till five o'clock at which
hour in fummer, and fix in winter, the bell
called them to fupper: where all the cere-
monial was repeated exactly the fame as at
dinner. After fupper they were again at
liberty till eight, when the bell fummoned
them all into the oratory, where they fang a
hymn to the organ, and went to prayers;
when the children afked bleffing of their
parents, and then all the family retired to
their reſpective apartments; and thus ended
the private obſervation of the Sabbath.
On
( 188 )
嘴
​On the firſt Sunday of every month they
always had a communion, which was admi-
niſtered by the Clergyman of the adjoining
parish; Mr. N. Ferrar affifting as Deacon.
All the fervants who then received the com-
munion, when dinner was brought up, re-
mained in the room, and on that day dined
at the fame table with Mrs. Ferrar, and the
reft of the family.
That I may not be thought to conceal any
thing which brought cenfure upon them,
and led to their perfecution, I will here in-
ſert the particular mode of their proceſſions,
and other circumftances which were con-
demned by fome as being fuperftitious. I
ſhall not pass any judgment myſelf on theſe
ceremonials, relating meer matter of fact,
and obferving only that where there was er-
ror, it was error on the fide of virtue and
goodneſs.
When their early devotions in the oratory
were finiſhed they proceeded to Church in
the following order,
Firſt,
( 189 )
Firſt, the three ſchoolmafters, in black
gowns, and Monmouth caps.
Then, Mrs. Ferrar's grandfons, clad in
the fame manner, two and two.
Then, her fon Mr. J. Ferrar, and her fon
in law Mr. Collet, in the fame dreſs.
Then, Mr. N. Ferrar, in furplice, hood,
and fquare cap, fometimes leading his mo-
ther.
Then, Mrs. Collet, and all her daughters,
two and two.
Then, all the fervants, two and two. The
dreſs of all was uniform.
Then, on Sundays, all the Pfalm-chil-
dren, two and two.
As they came into the Church, every per-
fon made a low obeifance, and all took their
appointed places. The Mafters, and Gen-
tlemen in the chancel: the youths knelt on
the upper ſtep of the half-pace: Mrs. Fer-
rar, her daughters, and all her grand-daugh-
ters in a fair iſland feat. Mr. N. Ferrar at
coming in made a low obeiſance; a few pa-
ces farther, a lower; and at the half-pace, a
lower
( 190 )
lower ftill: then went into the reading deſk,
and read matins according to the book of
Common Prayer. This fervice over, they
returned in the fame order, and with the
fame folemnity. This ceremonial was re-
gularly obſerved every Sunday, and that on
every common day was nearly the fame.
They rofe at four; at five went to the ora-
tory to prayers; at fix, ſaid the Pfalms of the
hour; for every hour had its appointed
Pfalms, with fome portion of the Gospel,
till Mr. Ferrar had finiſhed his concordance,
when a chapter of that work was ſubſtitut-
ed in place of the portion of the Goſpel.
Then they fang a fhort hymn, repeated fome
paffages of ſcripture, and at half paſt fix
went to Church to matins. At feven faid
the Pfalms of the hour, fang the fhort hymn,
and went to breakfaſt. Then the young
people repaired to their reſpective places of
inftruction. At ten, to Church to the Li-
tany. At eleven to dinner. At which fea-
fon were regular readings in rotation, from
the ſcripture, from the book of Martyrs,
and from ſhort hiftories drawn up by Mr.
Ferrar,
"
( 191 )
Ferrar, and adapted to the purpoſe of moral
inftruction. Recreation was permitted till
one; inftruction was continued till three.
Church at four, for evenfong; fupper at five,
or fometimes fix. Diverfions till eight.
Then prayers in the oratory: and afterwards
all retired to their refpective apartments.
To preferve regularity in point of time, Mr.
Ferrar invented dials in painted glaſs in
every room: he had alſo fundials, elegantly
painted with proper mottos, on every fide
of the Church: and he provided an excellent
clock to a fonorous bell.
The fhort hiftories alluded to above were
probably compoſed on the occafion, and to
fuit fome prefent purpoſe. Thoſe which are
ſtill remaining in my poffeffion are put to-
gether without any regularity of feries, or
any dependence of one upon another, and
are as in the catalogue annexed *.
*LIVE
The life of Monica,
Of Abraham.
Of Eliezer.
S.
In
The life of the Lady Paula.
Of Hyldegardis.
Of Paracelfus,
The
(192)
In the remains of the maiden fifter's ex-
ercifes, publiſhed in the 2d Vol, of Caii
Vin-
The life of Dr. Whitaker. The life of Bp. Ridley.
Of Scaliger.
Of Mr. Perkins.
Of Dr. Metcalf.
Of Sir Fran. Drake.
Of Mr. Cambden.
Of Haman.
Of Wolfey.
Of Brandon D. of Suffolk.
Of Ld. Burleigh.
Of Sir J. Markham.
Of St. Auguftin.
Of L. Jane Grey.
Of Q. Elizabeth.
Of Guſ. Adolphus.
Of the Black Prince.
Of Joan Q. of Naples.
Of the Witch of Endor.
Of Joan of Arc.
Of Cæſar Borgia.
Of Jehu.
Of Andronicus Commenus.
Of the Duke of Alva.
CHARACTERS.
The good Wife.
The good Huſband.
The good Parent.
The good Child.
The good Mafter.
The good Servant.
The good Widow.
The conftant Virgin.
The elder Brother.
The younger Brother.
The good Advocate.
The good Phyfician.
The controverfial Divines.
The true Church antiquary.
The general Artiſt.
The faithful Minifter.
The good Parishioner.
The good Patron.
The good Landlord.
The good Mr. of a College.
The good Schoolmaſter.
The good Merchant.
The good Yeoman.
The Handicrafts Man.
The good Soldier.
The good Sea-Captain.
The good Herald.
The true Gentleman.
The Favourite.
The wife Stateſman.
The good Judge.
The good Biſhop.
The
( 193 )
Vindiciæ, beginning at p. 713, there are
feveral ftories which are not in the MS. re-
maining with me. The ftory of K. Pyrrhus
is not there, nor Trajan, nor Phillip the 3d
The true Nobleman.
The Court Lady.
The Hypocrite.
The Heretic.
of
The Embaffadour.
The good General.
The rigid Donatift.
The Liar.
The heir Apparent to the The common Barreter.
Crown.
The King.
The Harlot.
The Witch.
The Atheiſt.
The degenerous Gentle-
man.
The Pazzians Confpiracy.
The Tyrant.
GENERAL RULES, OR ESSAYS.
CHAP.
1. Of Hofpitality.
2. Of Jefting.
3. Of Self-praifing.
4. Of Travelling.
5. Of Company.
6. Of Apparel.
7. Of Building.
8 Of Anger.
14. Of Tombs.
15. Of Deformities.
16. Of Plantations.
17. Of Contentment.
18. Of Books.
19. Of Time-ferving.
20. Of Moderation.
21. Of Gravity.
22. Of Marriage.
9. Of expecting Prefer- 23. Of Fame.
ment.
10. Of Memory.
11. Of Fancy.
12. Of Natural Fools.
13. Of Recreations.
24. Of the Antiquity of
Churches, and the Ne-
ceffity of them.
25. Of Minifters Main-
tainance.
N
( 194 )
of Spain, and his confeffor Florentius, nor
Hen. 4, of France, nor Sapritius, nor feve-
ral others. Nevertheleſs they all bear the
ſtrongeſt internal evidence of being the pro-
duction of the fame author who wrote thoſe
in my poffeffion. Theſe Lives, Characters,
and Moral Effays would, I think, fill two
or three volumes in octavo, but they are
written in fo minute a character that I can-
not form any conjecture to be depended
upon. They are but a ſmall part of the
MS. works which Mr. Ferrar left behind
him, which, as appears from fome papers
ftill exifting, amounted to five volumes in
folio. He was of opinion that inſtruction
merely by precept might fometimes become
dry and wearifome, and therefore was defi-
rous to enliven his lectures by fomething
that might give pleaſure to the fancy at the
fame time that it conveyed wiſdom to the
heart. But he had great objection to Plays,
Novels, and Romances, and to Poems that
were then, and indeed have ever fince been
in great eſteem. He thought that in many
inftances they did not tend to the important
point
་
( 195 )
point which he had in view. But he re-
flected alſo that our Saviour himfelf fre-
quently delivered his difcourfes in Parables;
and therefore that Fable, to a certain degree,
might be admitted in moral inſtruction.
With this view he compofed thoſe ſtories,
and effays, which were intended to enliven
their readings, and converfations. Befide
thefe, he drew up regular difcourfes upon
all the Faſts, and Feaſts of the Church, and
theſe alſo in their order made part of the
readings. Every one of the young people,
from the eldeſt to the youngeſt, male and
female, was exerciſed every day in theſe pub-
lic readings, and repetitions: by which the
memory was wonderfully ftrengthened, and
they all attained great excellence in ſpeak-
ing with propriety and grace. It is to be
wiſhed that this method were at the prefent
day more attended to than it is, and efpe-
cially by thoſe whoſe buſineſs and profeſſion
requires them frequently to fpeak in public.
But now four of Mr. Collet's eldeſt daugh-
ters being grown up to woman's eftate, to
per-
N 2
( 196 )
perfect them in the practice of good houſe-
wifery, Mr. Ferrar appointed them in rota-
tion to take the whole charge of the do-
meſtic œconomy. Each had this care for a
month, when her accounts were regularly
paffed, allowed, and delivered over to the
next in fucceffion. There was alfo the fame
care and regularity required with respect to
the Surgeon's cheft; and the due provifion
of medicines and all things neceffary for
thoſe who were fick, or hurt by any misfor-
tune. A convenient apartment was provided
for thoſe of the family who chanced to be
indiſpoſed, called the Infirmary, where they
might be attended, and properly taken care
of, without diſturbance from any part of the
numerous family. A large room was alſo
fet apart for the reception of the medicines,
and of thoſe who were brought in fick, or
hurt, and wanted immediate affiftance. The
young Ladies were required to dreſs the
wounds of thoſe who were hurt, in order to
give them readineſs and ſkill in this employ-
ment, and to habituate them to the virtues
of
( 197 )
of humility, and tenderness of heart.* The
office relative to Pharmacy, the weekly in-
ſpection,
* In the reliques of antient English Poetry we read
"As to what will be obferved in this ballad (Sir Cauline)
of the art of healing being practifed by a young Princefs,
it is no more than what is ufual in all the old Romances,
and was conformable to real manners; it being a practice
derived from the earliest times among all the Gothic,
and Celtic nations for women even of the higheſt rank
to exerciſe the art of Surgery. In the northern chroni-
cles we always find the young damfels ftanching the
wounds of their lovers, and the wives thoſe of their huf-
bands. And even fo late as the time of Q. Elizabeth it
is mentioned among the accompliſhments of the Ladies
of her court, that the eldeſt of them are skilfull in Sur-
gery." Rel. of Ant. Eng. Poetry. Introd. to Sir Cau-
line, p. 39.
"I could fet down the ways and means whereby our
"antient Ladies of the court do fhun and avoid idleness,
"while the youngeſt fort applie to their Lutes, Citharnes,
"Prick-fong, and all kinds of mufic: how many of the
"eldeft fort alfo are ſkilfull in Surgery, and Diftillation
"of Waters, &c. I might eaſily declare, but I paſs over
"fuch manner of dealing, left I fhould feem to glaver,
"and currie favour with fome of them." Harrifon's
Defcrip. of Eng. before Hollingfhead's Chron. p. 196.
col. 2. 1. 20.
This hiftorian, we ſee, confiders it even as a ſpecies of
flattery to ſay of a court Lady, that ſhe was ſkilful in
Surgery. And from theſe extracts it appears, that the
mode of education adopted by Mr. Ferrar, was in many
inftances that of the time in which he lived, and now
N 3
ſeems
( 198 )
ſpection, the prescription, and adminiftration
of Medicines, Mr. Ferrar referved to himſelf,
being an excellent Phyſician: as he had for
many years attentively ftudied the Theory,
and Practice of Medicine, both when Phyfick
Fellow at Clare Hall, and under the cele-
brated Profeffors at Padua. In this way
was a confiderable part of their income dif-
pofed of, and thus did Mr. Ferrar form his
nieces to be wife and uſeful, virtuous, and
valuable Women.
Very unlike indeed is this mode to the
modern Syſtem of Female Education! in
which all order with refpect to times and
feaſons is fubverted; all fenſe of ſubordina-
tion loſt, all idea of Duty derided; in which
the night is given to riot, and the day to un-
refreſhing ſleep: in which the conſtitution
is undermined, the body enfeebled by the
rage for diffipation, and the great purpoſe
of nature with reſpect to a future generation
defeated:
Teems extraordinary only on compariſon with the different
ſyſtem which has been gradually introduced in the courfe
of near two centuries.
( 199 )
defeated: fince it frequently happens that
when children come to the birth, there is not
ſtrength to bring forth; in which alſo it is
too often ſhewn that true feminine modeſty
is of no eſteem, while in the dance the
faſhionable Fair exhibits the bold front, the
wanton glance, and lafcivious gefture of the
mercenary Performer on the Public Theatre.
Pliant of limb, the blooming maid
Now joys to learn the wanton trade
Of Dance indecent, and to prove
The pleaſures of forbidden love. FRANCIS.
How ftriking a contraft does this form to
the plan of Mr. Ferrar, who inftructed his
nieces to adorn themſelves after the manner
of the holy women of old time, whoſe chaſte
converſation was coupled with fear: whoſe
adorning was not the external decoration of
plaiting the hair, or wearing gold, or putting
on apparel, but that which is of unchange-
able value, the ornament of a meek and
* Motus doceri gaudet Ionicos
Matura virgo, et fingitur artubus
Jam nunc, et inceſtos amores
quiet
De tenero meditatur ungui. HoR. Od. 1. 3. Q. 6.
N 4
( 200 )
1
quiet fpirit. Thus did Mr. Ferrar's nieces
by his inſtructions
improve their native charms
With inward Greatnefs, unaffected Wifdom,
And Sanctity of manners *.
In
*The different characters formed by thefe oppofite
modes of Education are drawn in his own peculiar eaſe
and elegance by V. Bourne in his Meliffa.
Bene moribus morata
Non elaborat illa de die in diem
Se fingere, et refingere,
Vultumve curiofa fumit artifex
Ab hac, ab illa Pyxide.
Nec diflocandis, et locandis crinibus
Quos iterum et iterum diflocet
Abfumit horas, unam ineptam aciculam
Decieſque figens et movens.
Nec vifitando pultat has et has foras
Ut portet importunum Ave.
Nec initiatur myfticis congreffibus
Noctifque cæremoniis
Vel induens larvam vel obnubens caput
Lafciviat ut audentior.
Nec, invenuftis ut fritillis increpet
Et aleis impalleat
Tenebras ad ufque Solis ortum vigiliis
Lucemque dat ſoporibus:
Dulces diei, et noctis invertens vices
Ratafque leges temporum.
--cum Meliffa conjuge
Intrare pronubas videbis Gratias
Sacrumque
( 201 )
In order to give fome variety to this fyftem
of education, he formed the family into a fort
of collegiate inftitution, of which one was
confidered as the founder, another guardian,
a third as moderator, and himſelf as vifitor
of this little academy. The feven virgin
Daughters formed the junior part of this
Society, were called the Sifters, and affumed
the names of 1ft. The Chief. 2d. The
Patient. 3d. The Chearful.
Sacrumque Virtutum chorum.
Sine arte compta et elegans fine tædio
Aderit Venuftas: et Salus
Suo rubore rofea; et Innocentia
Candente purior nive.
Accedet his Virtutibus pia Humilitas
Nunquam immemor Dei, aut Sui.
Regina Gratiarum aderit Humanitas
Perferre facilis et pati
Humana fi natura quid deliquerit
Aut caverit fi quid parum ;
Famulabitur caftùm intuens Modeftia
Et docta cultu Urbanitas.
His cum Sodalibus Meliſſa Gratiis
Ducetur ad tuam domum,
Solando quæ curarum amara leniat
Et confulendo temperet;
Fruendo quæ felicitates augeat
Et quæ novis addat novas,
4th. The
Affec-
( 202 )
Affectionate. 5th. The Submifs. 6th. The
Obedient. 7th. The Moderate. Theſe all
had their reſpective characters to fuftain,
and exerciſes to perform fuited to thoſe
characters.
For the Chriſtmas feafon of the year 1631,
he compoſed twelve excellent difcourfes,
five fuited to the Feſtivals within the twelve
days, and ſeven to the affumed name and
character of The Sifters. Theſe were en-
livened by hymns and odes compoſed by
Mr. Ferrar, and fet to mufic by the mufic
maſter of the family, who accompanied the
voices with the Viol, or the Lute. That
exerciſe which was to be performed by The
Patient, is alone to be excepted. There was
not any Poetry, or Mufic at the opening of
this as of all the reft: the diſcourſe itſelf was
of a very ſerious turn, it was much longer
than any other, and had not any hiſtorical
anecdote, or fable interwoven into the body
of it. The contrivance here was to exerciſe
that virtue which it was intended to teach.
Upon
( 203 )
Upon the whole, theſe and many other
Dialogues, Converfations, Hiftories, Fables,
and Eſſays, which Nicholas Ferrar penned
for the immediate uſe of his family, and left
behind him in many large volumes, if ever
the world ſhould be ſo happy as to fee them,
will beſt ſhew what he was, a man every
way fo compleat, that few ages have brought
forth his equal; whether we conſider his vaſt
memory, his deep judgment, his rare con-
trivance, or the elegance of ftile in the
matter, and manner of his compofitions*.
Amongſt other articles of inſtruction and
amuſement Mr. Ferrar entertained an inge-
nious bookbinder who taught the family,
females as well as males, the whole art and
ſkill of bookbinding, gilding, lettering, and
what they called pafting-printing, by the
uſe of the rolling-prefs. By this affiſtance
he compoſed a full Harmony, or Concordance
of the four Evangelifts, adorned with many
beau-
* Theſe valuable performances were nearly all deſtroyed
in the general devaftation of the place by the Fanatic
Zealots of the times foon after the death of Mr. Ferrar.
( 204 )
beautiful pictures, which required more
than a year for the compofition, and was
divided into 150 heads or chapters. For
this purpoſe he fet apart a handſome room
near the oratory. Here he had a large table,
two printed copies of the Evangelifts, of the
fame edition, and great ſtore of the beſt and
ftrongeſt white paper. Here he ſpent more
than an hour every day in the contrivance
of this book, and in directing his nieces,
who attended him for that purpoſe, how
they ſhould cut out fuch and fuch particular
paffages out of the two printed copies of
any part of each Evangeliſt, and then lay
them together fo as to perfect fuch a head
or chapter as he had defigned. This they
did firſt roughly, and then with nice knives,
and ſciffars ſo neatly fitted each paſſage to
the next belonging to it, and afterwards
paſted them ſo even and ſmoothly together,
upon large ſheets of the beſt white paper,
by the help of the rolling-prefs, that many
curious perfons who faw the work when it
was done, were deceived, and thought that
it had been printed in the ordinary way.
This
( 205 )
(205
This was the mechanical method which he
followed in compiling his Harmony. The
title of his book was as follows.
ર
"The Actions, Doctrines, and other Paf-
fages touching our bleffed Lord and Sa-
"viour J. Chrift, as they are related in the
"four Evangelifts, reduced into one com-
c
pleat body of hiftory: wherein that which
"is feverally related by them is digeſted into
order; and that which is jointly related
by all or any of them is, firft, expreffed
" in their own words, by way of Compa-
"rifon; fecondly, brought into one narra-
"tion by way of Compofition: thirdly, ex-
"tracted into one clear context by way of
<<
Collection; yet ſo as whatſoever was omit-
"ted in the context is inferted by way
<<
tr
of
Supplement in another print, and in fuch
"a manner as all the 4 Evangelifts may be
"eafily read ſeverally and diftinctly; each
<c
apart and alone from firſt to laſt: and in
"each page throughout the book are fun-
'
dry pictures added, expreffing either the
"facts themſelves, or their types and figures;
"" or
( 206 )
"or other things appertaining thereunto.
"The whole divided into 150 heads.”
I cannot help tranfcribing here a paffage
from Dr. Priestley's Preface to his Harmony
of the Evangelifts. "If I fhould be thought
"to have fucceeded better than the genera-
(c
lity of my predeceffors, I fhall attribute
"it chiefly to the mechanical methods I made
"uſe of in the arrangement of it; which
"were as follow. I procured two printed
<<
copies of the Goſpels, and having can-
"celled one fide of every ſheet, I cut out all
"the ſeparate hiftories, &c. in each Gofpel,
" and having a large table appropriated to
"that uſe, I placed all the correfponding
parts oppofite to each other, and in fuch
cc
<<
an order as the compariſon of them (which
"when they were brought ſo near together
"was exceedingly eafy) directed.
<<
"In this loofe order the whole Harmony'
lay before me a confiderable time, in
"which I kept reviewing it at my leiſure,
"and changing the places of the feveral
" parts
( 207 )
parts of it, till I was as well fatisfied with
"the arrangement of them, as the nature
"of the cafe would admit. I then fixed
"the places of all theſe feparate papers, by
paſting them, in the order in which they
lay before me, upon different pieces of
paſteboard, carefully numbered, and by
"this means alfo divided into fections."
66
4C
<<
This exact agreement in contrivance be-
tween two men of uncommon genius and
abilities, with reſpect both to the plan and
conduct of the work; men living at a hun-
dred and fixty years difference of time, men
too in learning, penetration, and judgment
perfectly qualified for fo arduous an under-
taking, affords the ſtrongeſt prefumptive
proof of the excellence of the method, and
at the fame time the higheſt recommendation
of it to the obfervation and practice of all
who are engaged in a fimilar courſe of ſtudy.
Several of the Harmonies *
were after-
ward
*The book in St. John's College library at Oxford
(faid to be compiled by the Nuns of Gidding) is one of
1
theſe
1
(208)
ward finiſhed upon the fame plan with fome
improvements: one of theſe books was pre-
fented to Mr. Ferrar's moſt dear and inti-
mate friend, the well known Mr. Geo. Her-
bert, who in his letter of thanks for it,
calls
theſe Harmonies, being all patch-work. Mr. T. Hearne's
Append. to Caius. Vol. II. p. 312. I have fome reaſon
to doubt the authenticity of this paſſage in Mr. Hearne.
+ Mr. Geo. Herbert was an eminent English Poet
and Divine, brother to the celebrated Ld. Herbert of
Cherbury. He was born at Montgomery Caſtle in Wales,
April 3, 1593, was educated at Weftminfter fchool, and
in 1608 elected into Trinity College, Cambridge. In
1619 he was chofen Orator of the Univerfity, which of
fice he held eight years; in which time he made himſelf per-
fect mafter of the Italian, Spaniſh, and French languages,
being in hopes to obtain the place of Secretary of State,
as he was highly eſteemed by the King, and moſt eminent
of the Nobility. But his hopes of preferment at court
failing on the death of the D. of Richmond and the Mar-
quis of Hamilton (two diſtinguiſhed friends of Nicholas
Ferrar) he took orders; and in July, 1626, was collated
to the Prebend of Leighton in the Church of Lincoln,
and the fame year was made Rect. of Bemerton in Wilts,
to which he was prefented by the King. His Poems, en-
titled The Temple, were printed at London, 1635; and
his Prieft to The Temple or Country Parfon's Character,
&c. was publiſhed by Mr. Barn. Oley at London, 1652,
and a third edition, 1675. He was highly valued by the
moſt eminent men of that age. Dr. Donne infcribed to
him fome Latin verfes, and Lord Bacon dedicated to him
his
( 209 )
calls it a most inestimable jewel; another
was given to his other fingular friend Dr.
Jackfon. The fame of this work, the
pro-
his traflation of fome Pfalms into English verfe. He
died not long before his friend.
See his Life by Walton; and in the Gen. Dictionary.
Dr. Tho. Jackſon, a very learned Divine in the 17th
century, was defcended of a very worthy family in the
Biſhoprick of Durham, was born at Witton on the Weer,
Dec. 21, 1579. He was firſt a ſtudent of Queen's Col-
lege, Oxford, under the tuition of the celebrated Logi-
cian of that day Mr. Rich. Crakenthorp. He was chofen
Scholar of Corpus Chrifti College, Mar. 24, 1596. He
became D.D. June 26, 1622. He delivered a lecture in
Divinity every Sunday morning in his own College, and
on fome day in the week at Pembroke College then
newly erected. Soon after he became Vicar of New-
caftle upon Tyne, where he difcharged his duty in a moft.
exemplary manner, and was much followed and admired
for his excellent way of preaching. In 1630 he was
elected Prefident of Corpus. He was then made Chap-
lain to the King, and in 1635 Prebendary of Wincheſter.
In 1638 he was promoted to the Deanery of Peter-
borough. He died Sep. 21, 1640, and was interred in
the inner Chapel of Corpus Chrifti College. He was
great maſter of all the difficult fubjects of Theological
controverfy at that time in agitation. His works are
publiſhed in three large Vols. folio. He was furniſhed
with all learned languages, arts, and ſciences, eſpecially
Metaphyfics; which he confidered as the handmaid to
Divinity: he was alfo profoundly verfed in the Fathers.
He had a ſtrong judgment, and wrote with great vigour
O
againſt
( 210 )
production of a man fo celebrated as the
author had been, foon reached the ears of
the King, who took the firſt opportunity to
make himſelf perfonally acquainted with it,
by obtaining the perufal of it.
Mr. Ferrar about this time wrote feveral
very valuable treatifes, and made feveral
tranſlations from authors in different lan-
guages, on ſubjects which he thought might
prove ferviceable to the caufe of Religion.
Among others, having long had a high opi-
nion of John Valdeffo's Hundred and ten Con-
fiderations, &c.* a book which he met with
in
againſt the Church of Rome. In this capacity, Mr.
Oley declares, that no one is fo convincing and demonftra-
tive as Dr. Jackfon. He was a man of a blameleſs life,
ftudious, humble, charitable and pious; and he was ex-
tremely beloved by all, except the rigid Calvinifts, who
confidered him as an Arminian. See his Life prefixed
to his Works by Mr. Vaughan, by A. Wood, and in the
Gen. Dictionary.
* It may not be improper here to give a fhort account
of this celebrated man, and his no leſs celebrated work.
In an old French tranflation of his 110 Confiderations, &c.
there is a brief hiſtory of him, by which it appears that
he was of a noble family in Spain; that he was a foldier
under Charles the 5th, and was knighted by him; that
after
( 211 )
in his travels, he now (in 1632) tranflated
it from the Italian copy into Engliſh, and
fent
after fome years ſpent in a military life he defired leave to
retire. When Charles enquired whether his requeſt pro-
ceeded from diguft, his anfwer was, It is neceffary that a
foldier before his death fhould give ſome time to reli-
gious meditation. He left his native country and retired
to Naples; where he became the head of a fect of reform-
ers, and many perfons of great diftinction attended his
lectures. He was particularly connected with Bernard
Ochin, Peter Martyr, and other learned men of great
character amongſt the reformers of that time; and he
attacked with fuccefs many of the corruptions of the
Church of Rome. Thus far is collected from the old
French Preface.
By fome, Valdeſſo was thought to lean too much to
the doctrines of the Unitarians, in oppofition to the Tri-
nitarian Syſtem. And this circumftance, I fuppofe, may
account for a paffage in Mr. Geo. Herbert's letter to Mr.
N. Ferrar concerning his tranſlation of this work, which
he earnestly defires may be publiſhed, notwithſtanding
fome things which he does not approve. Mr. G. Her-
bert was a confcientious Trinitarian; but being of a
liberal mind overlooked fpeculative differences in opi-
nion, to promote the general intereft of Religion. But
farther than this, there are undoubtedly fome paffages in
Valdeffo, in which he feems to depreciate the authority
of the fcriptures; and this might give juſt cauſe of offence.
The French edition of Valdeffo referred to above was
publiſhed at Paris in the year 1565, and was taken from
an Italian tranflation of the original Spaniſh: in which, it
is faid, were preſerved not only fome of the idioms, but
0 2
alfo
( 212 )
fent it to be examined and cenfured by his
friend Mr. Herbert, before it was made
public.
alſo many words of the Spanish original. This circum-
ſtance, not being of any great importance, I have not
examined its authenticity.
An Engliſh tranſlation was printed at Oxford in 1638:
which, notwithſtanding that it hath not any tranflator's
name, I heſitate not to pronounce it the tranflation by
Mr. N. Ferrar. And for theſe reaſons. Mr. Ferrar
ſent his tranſlation to Mr. Herbert, who returned it with
a letter, expreffing his approbation, and mentioning the
notes he had made upon dubious and offenfive paſſages.
Such notes appear before this tranſlation: and Mr. Her-
bert's letter to Mr. Ferrar, ftill in poffeffion of the Edi-
tor, is preciſely the fame with that prefixed to the work,
and entitled, The Letter by Mr. G. Herbert to his Friend,
the Tranſlator. But Mr. Herbert did not write ſuch re-
commendatory letter to any tranflation of Valdeffo but
that by Mr. Ferrar. It is alfo licenſed for the prefs by
Mr. Ferrar's other great friend Dr. Jackfon. And Mr.
Barnabas Oley, fpeaking of Valdeffo's work, and of the
affectionate friendſhip between Nicholas Ferrar, Mr. G.
Herbert, and Dr. Jackſon, makes this remark: "Though
"Valdeffo differed in fome points from them all, yet they
"all fo agreed in him, as that Mafter Ferrar tranflated
"him into English: Mafter Herbert commented on him,
" and commended him to uſe: and Dr. Jackſon allowed
"him for the prefs." Oley's first preface, p. 226 *.
Now
Mr. Barnabas Oley was educated in Clare Hall, and took
the degree of B.A. 1621. The Editor is in poffeffion of two
letters from Dr. Byng to Mr. N. Ferrar, in recommendation of
Mr. B. Oley, requeſting Mr. Ferrar's protection and intereft
that
( 213 )
public. Which excellent book Mr. Herbert
returned with many marginal notes, and
criti-
Now theſe three circumftances being proved to belong
to Mr. Ferrar's tranflation, and being found in the tran-
flation printed at Oxford in 1638, and there being no other
tranſlation exiſting to which they can be applied; for
theſe reaſons I hope it will not be thought prefumption in
me to pronounce the tranflation printed at Oxford, to be
that made by Mr. N. Ferrar.
I have been thus particular on this point, in order to
aſcertain to the public fome undoubted remnant of the
pious labours of this truly great and good man. The Title-
page is, The hundred and ten Confiderations, &c. written
in Spaniſh, brought out of Italy by Vergerius, and firft
fet forth in Italian, at Bafil by Cælius Secundus Curio,
1550. Afterward tranflated into French, and printed at
Lions, 1563, and again at Paris, 1565. And now tran-
flated
that Mr. Oley might be elected into a Fellowſhip of Clare Hall;
the first dated Oct. 15, 1623: and the fecond upon the fame
fubject dated Oct. 22 the fame year: he was elected Fellow the
28th of Nov. following, and was made M.A. 1625.
He was Vicar of Great Granfden in Huntingdonshire 53 years.
He was alfo Prebendary of Worceſter, and Archdeacon of Ely.
For having been Tutor to Bishop Gunning, his Pupil (when
Biſhop) would needs force that Archdeaconry upon him, which
he foon after refigned.
He had a Mandate to be D.D. dated April 14, 1663, but re-
fufed that honour.
He was a learned, laborious, and very refpectable man, and
the author of feveral valuable publications. He died at Great
Granſden, and was buried there, Feb. 22, 1685.
"Mr. Oley, Mr. Thirfcrofs, and Mr. Herbert Thorndike,
"were fome of thofe great and good men who with incompa-
"rable fanctity of life have adorned this worſt age, altogether
"worthy of a better." Dr. Barwick's Life.
03
( 214 )
criticifms, as they are now printed with it;
with an affectionate letter alfo recommend-
ing the publication*
In
flated out of the Italian into Engliſh with notes. Where-
unto is added a Preface of the Author's to his Commen-
tary on the Romans. Oxford, printed by Litchfield, 1638.
Exclufive of the Prefaces, the Notes, and Letters, the
work confifts of 311 pages cloſe printed in ſmall quarto.
If it ſhould be aſked why Mr. Ferrar, who was perfect
maſter of the Spaniſh as well as the Italian language,
choſe to tranſlate from a tranflation rather than the ori-
ginal, he himſelf has given the reafon, in his own Preface.
"Theſe truly Divine Meditations of Sir John Valdeffo,
"a Nobleman of Spain, (who died almoſt a hundred years.
"ago) having been fo acceptable to pious Vergerius, to
"learned Cælius Secundus Curio, and to many other both
"French and Italian Proteftants, that they have been.
"tranflated out of the original Spaniſh copy, and printed.
"three or four times in thoſe languages; it ſeemeth to me
"a reaſonable, and a charitable defire, to print them now
"in Engliſh, without any alteration at all from the Ita-
«lian copy: the Spanish being either not extant, or not eafy
• to be found.
""
Tranflator's Preface to Valdeffo.
Upon the 324 Confideration fhewing "In what con-
"fifteth the Abuſe, and in what the Uſe of Images, and
"of Holy Scripture," I find this note by Mr. Ferrar;
Theſe two Confiderations, 32, and 33 being read toge-
ther, may vindicate the Author's good meaning from his
dubious and offenfive expreffions in the preſent Confide-
ration.
* My dear and deferving brother, your Valdeſſo I return
with
( 215 )
(215
In May, 1633, his Majefty fet out upon
his journey to Scotland, and in his progreſs
he
with many thanks, and fome notes, in which perhaps you
will diſcover ſome care. It is true there are ſome things
which I do not like in him, as my fragments will expreſs
when you read them: nevertheless I wish you by all
means to publiſh it. For there are three things obferv-
able therein.
First, that God in the midft of Popery fhould open the
eyes of One fo clearly to underftand, and exprefs the ex-
cellent intent of the Gospel.
Secondly, the great honour and reverence which the
Author every where bears toward our Lord and Mafter.
Thirdly, the many pious rules for ordering our Life,
of which he himſelf was a very diligent obſerver.
Theſe three things are very eminent in the Author, and
overweigh the defects towards the publiſhing thereof.
Geo. Herbert, Bemerton, Sep. 29, 1632.
Extr. from Mr. H's Letter to Mr. Ferrar.
"John Valdeffo was a Spaniard of great learning and
“virtue, much valued by Charles 5, whom he had at-
❝tended in all his wars. When he was grown old, and
"weary both of war and of the world, he took a proper
66 opportunity to declare to the Emperor his refolution to
"decline the military ſervice, and betake himſelf to a quiet
" contemplative life, becauſe, he ſaid, there ought to be
"fome vacancy of time between Fighting and Dying.
"It happened that at that time the Emperor himſelf
• had made, though not publickly declared the ſame re-
"folution. He therefore defired Valdeffo to confider
"well what he had faid, and conceal his purpoſe till they
" might have opportunity for a friendly diſcourſe about
0 4
66
❝ it.
( 216 )
he ſtepped a little out of his road to view
Little Gidding in Huntingdonshire, which
by
"it. This opportunity foon offered, and after a pious
"and free difcourfe together, they agreed that on a cer-
"tain day they would publickly receive the Sacrament.
"At which time the Emperor appointed an eloquent
"Friar to preach on the Contempt of the world, and the
"happineſs of a quiet, contemplative Life.
"After Sermon the Emperor declared openly that the
"Preacher had begotten in him a refolution to lay down
"his dignities, to forfake the world, and betake himſelf
"to a Monaftic life. And he pretended that he had alſo
perfuaded John Valdeffo to do the like. Not long
"after, they carried their refolutions into execution."
This account ftands upon the authority, and is nearly in
the words of Mr. Nich. Ferrar.
r
Mr. Ferrar about this time alfo tranflated the Hygiaf-
ticon, or the right courfe of preferving Health, by Leonard
Leffius. The manufcript of this he ſent to Mr. Herbert,
defiring him to peruſe it well, and help him to make it
proper for the public. Accordingly Mr. Herbert made
ſeveral remarks upon it, and with it returned his own
tranflation of a Treatife upon Temperance, written by
Cornaro, which he defired, when N. Ferrar printed Lef-
fius, might be publiſhed with it. And they were accord-
ingly both joined in one book and printed together. The
Editor has an edition of this tranſlation in 24°. with Mr.
Herbert's tranflation of Cornaro annexed; and a Paradox
tranflated out of Italian, fhewing, That a fpare diet is
better than a fplendid and ſumptuous. To this little.
volume are prefixed feveral copies of recommendatory
verfes, by Peter Gunning, pupil to B. Oley, and after-
wards
( 217 )
by the common people was called the Pro-
teftant Nunnery. The family having notice,
met his Majeſty at the extremity of the pa-
rish, at a place called, from this event, the
King's Clofe: and in the form of their fo-
lemn proceffions conducted him to their
Church, which he viewed with great plea-
fure. He enquired into, and was informed
of the particulars of their public, and do-
meſtic œconomy; but it does not appear that
at
wards Bp. of Ely, by R. Craſhaw, B. Oley, and ſeveral
others; but the Title-page being wanting, I know not
where it was printed. The Preface to the reader is dated
Dec. 7, 1633.
Not long after this he tranflated from the Spanish, the
Life of Tho. Sanquez of Cordova, a Gentleman by birth,
and very learned in Law and Divinity; one who led a
very holy and ſtrict life. He died in 1612.
In the following year (on June 15, 1634) Mr. Ferrar
finiſhed a tranſlation of the Inftruction of Children in the
Chriſtian Doctrine, by Ludovico Carbo. The original
in Italian was printed at Venice by J. Guerigli in 1596.
At the end of the MS. copy of this tranſlation are theſe
words "Praiſe be to God and the bleffed Virgin Annun-
"ciata [as tranſlated from the Italian] but I fay Soli Deo
"Gloria. N. F."
In the year 1636 he fent this tranflation to Cambridge
to be licenſed for the prefs. But the authority prevailing
at that time in the Univerſity would not ſuffer it to be
then publiſhed.
(218)
at this time he made any confiderable ſtay.
The following fummer* his Majefty and
the Queen paffed two nights at Apethorp in
Northamptonſhire, the feat of Mildmay Fane
Earl of Westmoreland. From thence he
fent one of his Gentlemen to intreat (his
Majeſty's own word) a fight of The Concord-
ance, which, he had heard, was fome time.
fince done at Gidding; with affurance that
in a few days, when he had peruſed it, he
would fend it back again. Mr. N. Ferrar
was then in London, and the family made
fome little demur, not thinking it worthy to
be put into his Majefty's hands; but at
length they delivered it to the meſſenger.
But it was not returned in a few days, or
weeks: fome months were elapfed, when
the Gentleman brought it back from the
King,
* By the MS. ftill remaining it appears, that the King
made application for the perufal of this Concordance in
1634: by the life in the Chriftian Magazine that a fimilar
application was made in the year he fet up his ſtandard at
Nottingham, 1642; that he went in perſon to Gidding,
and was attended thither by the Prince of Wales, Prince
Rupert, the Duke of Richmond, and many other of his
noble retinue. This may alſo be true; for the King was
feveral times at Gidding.
( 219 )
King, who was then at London. He faid
he had many things to deliver to the family
from his maſter. Firſt, to yield the King's
hearty thanks to them all for the fight of
the book, which paffed the report he had
heard of it. Then to fignify his approba-
tion of it, in all reſpects. Next to excuſe
him in two points. The first for not re-
turning it ſo ſoon as he had promiſed: the
other, for that he had in many places of the
margin written notes in it with his own
hand. And (which I know will pleaſe you)
faid the Gentleman, you will find an inſtance
of
my maſter's humility in one of the mar-
gins. The place I mean is where he had
written fomething with his own hand, and
then put it out again, acknowledging that
he was miſtaken in that particular. Cer-
tainly this was an act of great humility in
the King and worthy to be noted; and the
book itſelf is much graced by it *.
The
* This book probably periſhed with the others that
were deftroyed in the devaftations of the place.
( 220 )
The Gentleman farther told them, that
the King took ſuch delight in it, that he
paffed ſome part of every day in peruſing it.
And lastly, he ſaid, to fhew you how true
this is, and that what I have declared is no
court compliment, I am expreffly com-
manded by my mafter, earneſtly to requeſt
of you, Mr. Nicholas Ferrar, and of the
young Ladies, that you would make him
one of theſe books for his own uſe, and if
you will pleaſe to undertake it, his Majeſty
fays you will do him a moft acceptable fer-
vice.
Mr. Nicholas Ferrar and the young La-
dies returned their moſt humble duty, and
immediately ſet about what the King defir-
ed. In about a years time it was finiſhed;
and it was ſent to London to be preſented
to his Majeſty by Dr. Laud, then made
ABp. of Caterbury, and Dr. Cofins, Mafter
of Peterhouſe, whofe turn it was to wait
that month, being one of the King's Chap-
lains. This book was bound entirely by
Mary Collet (one of Mr. Ferrar's neices) all
wrought
(
221 )
wrought in gold, in a new and moſt ele-
gant faſhion.
The King after long and ſerious looking
it over, faid, "This is indeed a moſt valua-
«ble work, and in many reſpects worthy to
"be preſented to the greateſt Prince upon
"earth. For the matter it contains is the
"richeft of all treaſures. The laborious
<<
compofure of it into this excellent form
"of an Harmony; the judicious contriv-
"ance of the method, the curious work-
manſhip in ſo neatly cutting out and diſ-
poſing the text, the nice laying of theſe
coftly pictures, and the exquifite art ex-
"preffed in the binding, are, I really think,
tr
CC
not to be equalled. I muſt acknowledge
"myſelf to be indeed greatly indebted to
"the family for this Jewell: and whatever
"is in my power, I fhall at any time be
"ready to do for any of them."
Then after fome pauſe, taking the book
into his hands, he ſaid, "And what think
you, my Ld. of Canterbury, and you Dr.
Cofins,
(222)
Cofins, if I fhould aſk a fecond favour of
thefe good people? indeed I have another
requeſt to make to them, and it is this. I
often read over the lives and actions of the
Kings of Judah and Ifrael in the books of
the Kings, and the Chronicles, and I fre-
quently meet with difficulties. I fhould be
much obliged if Mr. Ferrar would make me
fuch a book as may bring all theſe matters
together into one regular narration, that I
may read the whole in one continued ſtory,
and yet at the fame time may be able to fee
them ſeparate; or what belongs to one book,
and what to another. I have long ago
moved ſeveral of my Chaplains to undertake
this buſineſs: but it is not done: I fuppofe
it is attended with too much difficulty. Will
you, my Lord, apply for me to Mr. Ferrar?
The Archbishop wrote to Mr. Ferrar, ac-
quainting him with the King's defires, and
Mr. Ferrar immediately fet himſelf about
the work.
In the courſe of little more than a year,
about Oct. 1636, Mr. Ferrar and his affiſtants
com-
(223)
compleated the Harmony of the two books of
the Kings and the Chronicles, and young Ni-
cholas Ferrar bound it in purple velvet, moſt
richly gilt. It was then fent to the Arch-
biſhop and Dr. Cofins, to be by them pre-
fented to the King. His Majefty was ex-
tremely delighted with it, faying, "It was a
fit mirror for a King's daily inſpection.
Herein, he ſaid, I fhall behold God's mer-
cies and judgments: his puniſhing of evil
princes, and rewarding the good. To theſe
his promiſes, to thoſe his threatenings moft
furely accompliſhed. I have a fecond time
gained a great treaſure. What I ſaid of the
first book, I may moft justly fay of this:
and I defire you will let them know my high
eſteem both of it and of them." Dr. Cofins
then preſented a letter from Mr. Ferrar,
which the King declared he thought the
fineſt compofition he ever read*. In far-
ther difcourfing of theſe Harmonies with
the Divines, the King determined that for
public benefit they ſhould be printed under
his own immediate command and protec-
tion.
* Unfortunately the copy of this letter cannot be found,
(224)
tion. But the troubles of the enfuing times
prevented this laudable purpoſe from being
carried into execution. The Title of this
fecond Harmony was as follows;
"The Hiſtory of the Ifraelites from the
death of King Saul, to their carrying away
captive into Babylon: collected out of the
books of the Kings, and Chronicles, in the
words of the text, without any alteration of
importance by addition to or diminution
from them. Whereby, Firſt, all the actions
and paffages related in any of the books of
the Kings and Chronicles, whether jointly
or ſeverally, are reduced into the body of
one compleat narration. Secondly, they are
digefted into an orderly dependance one
upon the other. Thirdly, many difficult
places are cleared, and many feeming differ-
encies between the books of Kings and Chro-
nicles, compounded. And this is fo con-
trived, as notwithſtanding the mutual com-
pofitions of the books into one Hiſtorical
Collection, yet the form of each of them is
preferved entire, in fuch a manner as they
2
may
( 225 )
may be eaſily read, feverally and,diftinctly
from first to laft. Together with feveral
Tables. The firft, fummarily declaring the
feveral heads or chapters into which the Hif-
torical Collection is divided. The fecond,
ſpecifying what paffages are related ſeverally
in the aforesaid books, and what are jointly
related by them both: as alſo in what heads
and chapters in this Collection they may be
found. The third, fhewing where every
chapter of the texts themſelves, and every
part of them may be readily found in this
Hiſtorical Collection."
Fragments of one copy of this, and fome
other of the Harmonies, with fome of the
Prints belonging to them, and the three ta-
bles ſpecified in the Title above, have lately
been found among the old MSS. of the fa-
mily; but very much disjointed and con-
fuſed, and confiderably hurt by time and
other injuries.
Theſe are probably the laſt works of this
fort, executed by Mr. Ferrar, who died in
P
little
(226)
{
little more than a year, and was very weak
and infirm a confiderable time before his
death. But the connection between the
King and this family did not ceaſe on Mr.
Ferrar's death. For it appears from ſeveral
papers ſtill in being, that there was what
may be juſtly called a friendly intercourſe
fubfifting, even till the diſtreſsful year 1646.
For during this interval, and after the death
of Mr. Ferrar, other Harmonies of other
parts of the Scripture were drawn up by
Nicholas Ferrar jun. upon the plan of his
uncle, by the particular direction of the
King, for the uſe of the Prince; and were to
him preſented in the years 1639, 1641, and
at other times. This extraordinary young
man was particularly favoured by the King,
who had undertaken to ſend him to Oxford
under his own immediate protection; and to
take upon himſelf the care and expence of
compleating his education. But his ill ſtate
of health, which ended in an early death,
prevented the execution of this benevolent
intention. The particular memorials of
this intercourſe were probably loſt in the
enſuing diſtractions.
On
( 227 )
On the 27th of April, in that, fatal year
(1646) the King left Oxford. Being un-
reſolved how to diſpoſe of himſelf, he ſhifted
about from place to place, with his truſty
Chaplain, Dr. Hudſon, and at length came
to Downham in Norfolk. From thence he
came on May the 2ª very privately and in
the night to Gidding. Mr. Nicholas Ferrar
had been dead feveral years. But the King
having an entire confidence in the family,
made himſelf known to Mr. John Ferrar,
who received his Majefty with all poffible
duty and reſpect. But fearing that Gidding,
from the known loyalty of the family, might
be a ſuſpected place, for better concealment
he conducted his Majeſty to a private houſe
at Coppinford, an obfcure village at a ſmall
diſtance from Gidding, and not far from
Stilton. Here the King flept, and went
from thence, May 3, to Stamford, where he
lodged one night, ftaid till eleven the next
night, and from thence went, on May 5, to
the Scotch army.
Of the King's coming at this time in this
ftate
P 2
(228)
ſtate of diſtreſs to Gidding, I collect from
various authorities the following evidence.
In the examination of Dr. Michael Hud-
fon, taken May 16, 1646, before Henry
Dawſon, Efq; Dep. Mayor of Newcaſtle
upon Tyne, he depofes that he came from
Oxford on Monday morning about 3 o'clock,
April 27; and that his Majefty, Mr. Aſh-
burnham and himſelf made ufe of an old
Paſs, which they had gotten from an officer
in Oxford. That they went firſt to Dor-
chefter, then to Henley, Maidenhead, and fo
on the road toward London: but he refuſed
to ſay where the King lodged on Monday
night. That when they turned to go north-
ward, his Majefty lodged Tueſday, Ap. 28,
at Whethamſtead near to St. Albans. That
from thence his Majeſty went to a ſmall vil-
lage within ſeven miles of Newmarket, and
lodged in a common Inn, Wedneſday 29.
From thence they went to a place called
Downham, where his Majefty lodged, Thurf-
day 30. From thence to Coppinford, where
his Majeſty lodged, Friday, May 1. From
thence
( 229 )
(229
thence to Stamford, May 2, where they ſtay-
ed till midnight, May 3. Went from thence,
Monday, May 4, and came to the Scotch
army, Tueſday, May 5.
This is the fubſtance of the examination
of Dr. Hudſon concerning the King's jour-
ney
from Oxford to the Scotch army*.
In
*Michael Hudfon was born in Weftmoreland, and
educated in Queen's College, Oxford. In 1630 he was
made Fellow of that College. He was afterward bene-
ficed in Lincolnshire. But when the King fet up his
ſtandard he left his benefice and adhered to him. After
the battle at Edge-hill he retired to Oxford, and in Fe-
bruary, 1642, was created D.D. and made Chaplain to
his Majefty. Soon after, he had an important employ-
ment in the army in the north under the command of the
Marquis of Newcaſtle. On the 8th of June, 1646, he
was diſcovered at Rochefter, brought to London, and
committed priſoner to London houſe. On Nov. 18, he
eſcaped from his prifon, and in January following he was
retaken, and committed cloſe priſoner to the tower. He
eſcaped alſo from thence in the beginning of 1648. On
the 6th of June that year, intelligence was brought to the
Parliament that the Royalifts were in arms in Lincoln-
ſhire under the command of Dr. Hudfon; and two days.
after, information came from Col. Tho. Waite that he
had fuppreffed the infurrection of malignants at Stamford
in Lincolnshire and had killed their commander Dr.
Hudfon.
P 3
The
(230)
In the letter from Miles Corbett, and Va-
lentine Walton to Mr. Lenthall the ſpeaker,
directed, Haſte, Haſte, Poſt Haſte, the ac-
count agrees with the examination of Dr.
Hudſon, with reſpect to the King's coming
with Hudſon to Downham, and lodging there
on Thurſday the laſt day of April, but ſtates
that they cannot learn where they were on
Friday night. It afterwards mentions ſeve-
ral particular circumftances, as their being
at a blind alehoufe at Crimplefham about
eight miles from Lynn, and the King's be-
ing in a Parſon's habit, and changing his
black coat and caffock for a grey one pro-
cured
The circumſtances of his death were attended with
peculiar barbarity. He fled with the chief of his party
to Woodcroft houſe near Peterborough. The houſe be-
ing forced, and moſt of the Royalifts taken, Hudſon,
with ſome of the moſt couragious, went up to the battle-
ments, where they defended themſelves for fome time. At
length, upon promife of quarter, they yielded; but when
they had fo done, the promiſe of quarter was broken.
Hudſon, being thrown over the battlements, caught hold
of a spout, or out-ftone, and there hung: but his hands
being cut off, he fell into the moat underneath, much
wounded, and defired to come on land to die there. As
he approached the fhore, one of his enemies beat his brains
out with the butt end of his mufket. See A. Wood,
Vol. II. Col. 113.
( 231 )
cured by Mr. Skipwith; and that his Maje-
ſty bought a new hat at Downham. But
theſe particulars feem to be delivered more
from hearſay accounts, than regular evi-
dence. The main purport of this letter
confirms the depofition in Dr. Hudſon's ex-
amination, that the King certainly was at
Downham, on the laft of April, or the firſt
of May and in fact he was there on both
days, coming to that place on the laſt of
April, and leaving it on the firſt of May.
Mr. Ferrar's MS. afferts that the King
came very privately to Gidding, May 2. Dr.
Hudſon fays the King ſlept at Coppinford,
May 1. Theſe two accounts may eaſily be
reconciled. Dr. Hudfon reckons the night,
or time of his Majefty's lodging and ſleep-
ing, as belonging to the preceding day, on
which he came from Downham or Crim-
pleſham, which was May the firft. But as
the King came very privately to Gidding,
and in the very dead of the night; and as it
muſt neceffarily require fome time to pro-
vide for his lodging at Coppinford, this
would
P 4
( 232 )
would of courſe break into the morning of
May the 2º: and Mr. Ferrar might with equal
propriety fay that the King came very pri-
vately to Gidding, and that he conducted
his Majeſty to fleep at Coppinford, May 2.
Theſe circumſtances muſt awaken the
compaffion of every feeling heart, even
amongſt thoſe who are difpofed to lay the
heavieſt load of blame upon the King: fince
they are mentioned not as an infinuation
that he was free from faults, or as an ex-
tenuation of thoſe with which he might be
juſtly charged: but as a proof of very affect-
ing diſtreſs, and a ſtrong inſtance of the in-
ſtability of worldly greatneſs. He had his
faults; and who hath not? but let it be re-
membered that there were virtues to fet in
the balance againſt them.
I have been anxious to afcertain this point,
from a defire to make it known beyond all
doubt, what was the very laft place where
this moſt unfortunate Prince was in the
hands of thoſe whom he might ſafely truft,
and
( 233 )
(233
and under the protection of an honeſt and
confidential friend; and that this place was
the refidence, and now contains the remains
of that worthy perfon to whofe memory
theſe pages are devoted.
In fitting up the houſe at Gidding, moral
ſentences, and ſhort paffages from the Scrip-
tures had been put up in various places; and
in the great parlour was an Inſcription
which gave rife to much fpeculation and cen-
fure. It was nevertheleſs firſt approved of
by feveral judicious Divines, and particu-
larly by Mr. Herbert, who adviſed it to be
engraved in brafs, and fo hung up that it
might be ſeen of all. But calumny was
now gone forth, and nothing could be done
at Gidding that was not ſubjected to the
fevereſt miſreprefentation. The infcription
was as follows.
IHS
(234)
He who (by reproof of our er-
rors, & remonstrance of that
which is more perfect) feeks to
make us better, is welcome as
an Angel of God.
IHS
He who (by a chearfull parti-
cipation of that which is good)
And confirms us in the fame, is wel-
come as a Chriftian Friend.
But
He who any ways goes about
to difturb us in that which is
& ought to be amongſt Chriſ-
tians (tho' it be not ufual in >And
the world) is a burden whilft he
ftays and fhall bear his judg-
ment whofoever he be.
J
He who faults us in abfence
for that which in prefence he
made fhew to approve of, doth
by a double guilt of Flattery &
Slander violate the Bands both
of Friendſhip and Charity.
し
​Mary Ferrar, Widow
Mother of this Family
aged fourſcore years
(who bids adieu to all fears and hopes of this world
and only defires to ſerve God)
fet up this Table.
The extraordinary courfe of life purſued
at Gidding, the ſtrictneſs of their rules, their
prayers, literally without ceafing, their ab-
ftinence, mortifications, nightly watchings,
and various other peculiarities, gave birth to
cenfure in fome, and inflamed the malevo-
lence of others, but excited the wonder and
curiofity of all. So that they were frequently
vifited with different views by perfons of all
denominations, and of oppofite opinions.
They received all who came with courteous
civility; and from thoſe who were inquifi-
tive
(235)
tive they concealed nothing: for in truth
there was not any thing either in their opi-
nions or their practice that was in the leaſt
degree neceffary to be concealed. Whether
their conduct was a fubject of admiration
or of imitation is a diftinct enquiry, which
at preſent there is not any occafion to enter
upon. They were at the time, notwith-
ſtanding all the real good they did, feverally
flandered and vilified: by fome they were
abuſed as Papifts; by others as Puritans.
Mr. Ferrar himſelf, though poffeffed of un-
common patience, and refignation, yet in
anguiſh of ſpirit complained to his friends,
that the perpetual obloquy he endured was
a fort of unceasing martyrdom.
Theſe clamorous abuſes were ſpread about
with great virulence and malignity. But no
one, who is acquainted with the ſpirit of
thoſe times, and confiders to what a degree
Religious Rancour had poffeffed the hearts
of all men; how intolerant the Puritans
were of the Papifts, and of the Church of
England; what deteſtation the Papiſts had
of
( 236 )
(236
of the Church of England, and of the Pu-
ritans; and what a fhameful perfecution the
governors of the eſtabliſhed Church exer-
cifed, often againſt the Papifts, and always
againſt the Proteftant Diffenters; will not
wonder that a fociety of Devotees, who were
apprehended not to agree with any of them,
fhould be perfecuted by them all.
Hence violent invectives, and inflamma-
tory pamphlets were publiſhed againſt them.
Amongſt others, not long after Mr. Ferrar's
death, a Treatife was addreffed to the Par-
liament, entitled, The Arminian Nunnery, or
a brief deſcription and relation of the late
erected Monaftical Place, called the Armi-
nian Nunnery at Little Gidding in Hunting-
donfhire: humbly addreſſed to the wife con-
fideration of the preſent Parliament. The
foundation is by a company of Ferrars at
Gidding. Printed for Tho. Underhill, 1641*.
In
*This is the pamphlet referred to in Mr. Gough's
Topographia Britannica. It is evidently taken from
Mr. Lenton's letter to Serjt. Hetley; as appears from
many
( 237 )
In which production there is nothing but
falfhood, or what is much worfe, Truth wil-
fully fo mangled and mifreprefented as to
anſwer the vileft ends of falfhood. And this
fort of malignity was carried to fuch a length,
that not long before the real tragedy of K.
Charles
many particularities of phrafe, and from whole fentences
tranſcribed word for word: and as evidently was it in-
tended as an abuſe, and to do prejudice to the family; by
the farcaftic and malicious additions made to the expref-
fions in Mr. Lenton's original letter. Of theſe there are
many inftances: one may be fufficient to fhew the ſpirit
of all. In the MS. of Mr. Lenton's letter to the Serjt.
the deſcription of Mr. N. Ferrar's firft appearance is in
the following words,
CC
"A man fervant brought me into a fair fpacious par-
(c lour, whither foon after came to me the old Gentlewo-
"man's fecond fon, N. Ferrar, a batchelor of a plain pre-
"fence, but of able ſpeech and parts; who, after I had (as
"well as in fuch cafe I could) deprecated any ill conceit
"of me, for fo unufual, and bold a vifit, entertained me
very civilly, and with much humility:" but in the pam-
phlet pretending to quote Mr. Lenton, it is, "entertained
me with feeming civility and humility-he is a jolly, prag-
matical Prieft-like fellow, and is the mouth for all the reſt."
This is a defigned falfhood, and is inconfiftent both with
the appearance and the character of this worthy man.
Mr. Lenton's letter to Serjt. Hetley, printed with the
Arminian Nunnery, in Vol. I. of Hearne's Langtoft's
Chronicle, is nearly (but not quite) exact with the MS.
of that letter in my poffeffion.
( 238 )
7
Charles was perpetrated, certain foldiers of
the Parliament party refolved to plunder the
houſe at Gidding. The family being in-
formed of their hafty approach, thought it
prudent to fly, and, as to their perfons, en-
deavour to eſcape the intended violence.
Theſe military zealots, in the rage of what
they called Reformation, ranſacked both the
Church and the Houſe. In doing which
they expreffed a particular ſpite againſt the
organ. This they broke in pieces, of which
they made a large fire, and thereat roaſted
feveral of Mr. Ferrar's fheep, which they
had killed in his grounds. This done, they
feized all the plate, furniture, and provifion
which they could conveniently carry away.
And in this general devaſtation periſhed
thoſe works of Mr. Nicholas Ferrar which
merited a better fate.
Certainly no family fuffered more from
leſs cauſe of offence: for though they were
pious and firm members of the Church of
England, they behaved themſelves quietly,
and
(239)
and with Chriftian benevolence towards all
men of all denominations: and although
they practifed aufterities which were not ex-
ceeded by the fevereſt orders of the Monaſtic
inftitutions, yet they neither required them
from others, nor in themſelves attributed
any faving merit to them; aufterities
which miſtaken piety thought a Duty, but
which, it muſt be confeffed, have not any
proper foundation in the Chriftian inftitu-
tion.
A fhort time before the commiffion of
thefe violences, Bp. Williams paid his laſt
friendly vifit at Gidding, and feeing the in-
ſcription in the parlour, faid to Mr. John
Ferrar, I would adviſe you to take this table
down. You ſee the times grow high and
turbulent, and no one knows where the
rage and madneſs of the people may end.
I am just come from Boſton, where I was
ufed very coarfely. I do not fpeak as by au-
thority, I only adviſe you as a friend, for
fear of offence or worfe confequences. Then
after fincerely condoling with them on their
irre-
( 240 )
irreparable misfortune in the death of Ni-
cholas Ferrar, he bad them his final farewel.
But ever after continued their firm friend,
and conſtantly vindicated the family from
the many flanders of their falſe accuſers.
But to return from this digreffion.
Mrs. Ferrar, towards the cloſe of her life,
feems to have been convinced that the mor-
tifications practifed by the family, were more
than were neceffary, and ſhe became appre
henfive for the health, and even for the life
of her beloved fon. She therefore earneſtly
entreated him, and with many tears befought
him, that he would relax a little in the fevere
diſcipline which he exerciſed upon himſelf.
And he, being an example of filial obedience,
complied in fome degree with her requeſt,
during the remainder of her life: but this
was not of long continuance.
In the year 1635, ten years after coming
to Gidding, this excellent woman died, aged
eighty three years. Her character, as fol-
lows, is given by her fon Mr. John Ferrar,
who
( 241 )
who collected, and left the materials for
theſe memoirs. "Though of ſo great age,
"at her dying day, fhe had no infirmity,
"and ſcarce any fign of old age upon her.
"Her hearing, fight, and all her ſenſes were
very good. She had never loſt a tooth;
"the walked very upright, and with great
"s
"
"
agility. Nor was ſhe troubled with any
pains or uneafinefs of body. While ſhe
"lived at Gidding fhe rofe, fummer and
winter, at five o'clock, and fometimes
"fooner. In her perſon ſhe was of a comely
"
prefence, and had a countenance fo full of
"gravity that it drew reſpect from all who
"beheld her. In her words fhe was cour→
"teous, in her actions obliging. In her
"diet always very temperate; faying, ſhe
"did not live to eat and drink, but ate and
"drank to live. She was a pattern of piety,
"benevolence, and charity. And thus fhe
"lived and died, eſteemed, revered, and be-
"loved of all who knew her." Such are
the effects of a life of temperance and virtue.
While his mother was yet living Mr.
Ferrar
•
1
( 242 )
Ferrar did fo far comply with her requeſt,
that he went to bed, or lay down upon it,
from nine in the evening till one in the
morning, which was his conftant hour of
rifing to his devotions. But after her death
he never did either: but wrapping himſelf in
a looſe frieze gown, flept on a bear's fkin
upon the boards. He alfo watched either
in the oratory, or in the Church three nights
in the week.
Thefe nightly watchings having been fre-
quently mentioned, it may not be improper
here to give a ſhort account of the rules un-
der which they were performed. It was
agreed that there fhould be a conſtant dou-
ble nightwatch, of men at one end of the
houfe, and of women at the other. That
each watch ſhould confift of two or more
perfons. That the watchings ſhould begin
at nine o'clock at night, and end at one in
the morning. That each watch fhould in
thofe four hours, carefully and diſtinctly ſay
over the whole book of Pfalms, in the way
of Antiphony, one repeating one verſe, and
the
(
243 )
the reft the other. That they ſhould then
pray
for the life of the King and his fons.
The time of their watch being ended, they
went to Mr. Ferrar's door, bad him good
morrow, and left a lighted candle for him.
At one he conſtantly rofe, and betook him-
felf to religious meditation, founding this
practice on an acceptation too literal of the
paffage, At midnight will I rife and give
thanks, and fome other paffages of fimilar
import. Several religious perfons both in
the neighbourhood, and from diftant places,
, attended theſe watchings: and amongſt theſe
the celebrated Mr. Rich. Crafhaw, Fellow
of Peterhouſe, who was very intimate in the
family, and frequently came from Cam-
bridge for this purpoſe, and at his return
often watched in Little St. Mary's Church
near Peterhouſe *.
His
* A moſt refpectable Author hath given his fanction,
if not to the ſeverity, at leaſt to a moderate obfervation
of this mode of Pfalmody, in his Comment on the 134th
Pfalm.
Blefs ye the Lord all ye fervants of the Lord, who by
night ftand in the houfe of the Lord. Blefs him in the
Q 2
chearful
( 244 )
His friends perceiving a viſible decay of
his ftrength, remonſtrated againſt theſe au-
fterities,
chearful and bufy hours of the day: blefs him in the fo-
lemn and peaceful watches of the night.
The pious Mr. Nicholas Ferrar exhibited in the laft
century an inſtance of a Proteftant family, in which a
conftant courſe of Pfalmody was appointed, and fo ftrictly
kept up, that through the whole four and twenty hours
of day and night, there was no portion of time when ſome
of the members were not employed in performing that
moſt pleaſant part of duty and devotion. Dr. Horne.
The high degree of veneration in which Mr. Ferrar
held the book of Pfalms appears from the peculiar atten-
tion he beſtowed upon it; as hath been particularly re-
lated in the foregoing part of theſe memoirs. Nor is he
fingular in this reſpect. Dr. Horne fays, the " Pfalms are
an epitome of the Bible, adapted to the purpoſes of devo-
tion. That for this purpoſe they are adorned with
figures, and ſet off with all the graces of poetry, and poe-
try itſelf defigned yet farther to be recommended by the
charms of muſic, thus confecrated to the ſervice of God;
that fo, delight may prepare the way for improvement,
and pleaſure become the handmaid of wiſdom, while every
turbulent paſſion is calmed by facred melody, and the evil
ſpirit ftill difpoffeffed by the harp of the ſon of Jeffe.”
"What is there neceffary for man to know, fays the
pious and judicious Hooker, which the Pfalms are not
able to teach? They are to beginners, an eaſy and fami-
liar introduction, a mighty augmentation of all virtue
and knowledge in fuch as are entered before, and a ſtrong
confirmation to the moſt perfect among others." Hooker.
See Dr. Horne's Pref. to his Commentary.
On
( 245 )
fterities, fearing bad confequences to his
health; they told him that he was much too
ſtrict in his way of life; they adviſed him to
go abroad, to take the air frequently, and
to admit of ſome innocent amuſement. He
replied, that to riſe and go to bed when we
pleaſe, to take the air and get a good appe-
tite, to eat heartily, to drink wine, and chear
the ſpirits, to hunt, and hawk, to ride
abroad, and make vifits, to play at cards
and dice, theſe are what the world terms
gallant and pleaſant things, and recreations.
fit for a Gentleman: but fuch a life would
be ſo great a flavery to me, and withal I
think it of fo dangerous a tendency, that if
I was told I muft either live in that manner,
or preſently fuffer death, the latter would
moſt certainly be my choice.
There cannot be any doubt but that theſe
auſterities gradually reduced a conftitution
origi-
On fuch refpectable authority, I may fafely recommend
a proper degree of attention to the example of Mr. Fer-
rar, ſo far as time, and opportunity, and the peculiar cir-
cumftances of fituation will admit,
Q3
(246)
originally not very strong, and fhortened
the life of a moft virtuous, and moſt va-
luable man.
About three months before his death,
perceiving in himſelf fome inward faintneſs,
and apprehending that his laſt hour was
now drawing very near, he broke off ab-
ruptly from writing any farther on a ſub-
ject which was then under his confideration.
This breaking off is yet to be ſeen in that unfiniſh-
ed treatiſe, with his reaſon for diſcontinuing it*
He then began to write down Contemplations
on Death in the following words.
"The remembrance of death is very pow-
"erfull to reftrain us from finning. For
" he who ſhall well confider that the day
"will come (and he knoweth not how foon)
when he fhall be laid on a fick bed, weak
"and faint, without eaſe and almoſt with-
"out ftrength, encompaffed with melan-
6 (
choly thoughts, and overwhelmed with
ર an-
*Theſe are the words of the original MS. but the
treatiſe alluded to is not now to be found.
( 247
()
247 anguiſh; when on one fide, his diftemper
encreaſing upon him, the Phyſician tells
"him that he is paſt all hope of life, and
<<
on the other, his friends urge him to dif
poſe of his worldly goods, and fhare his
"wealth among them: that wealth which
"he procured with trouble, and preſerved
"with anxiety; that wealth which he now
<<
parts from with forrow: when again the
"Prieft calls on him to take the preparatory
"meaſures for his departure: when he him-
"ſelf now begins to be affured that here he
"hath no abiding city; that this is no
longer a world for him: that no more
"Suns will rife and fet upon him: that for
<<
66
<c
him there will be no more feeing, no more
hearing, no more ſpeaking, no more
"touching, no more taſting, no more fan-
"cying, no more underſtanding, no more
"remembering, no more defiring, no more
loving, no more delights of any fort to
"be enjoyed by him; but that death will at
<<
66
one ſtroke deprive him of all theſe things:
"that he will ſpeedily be carried out of the
" houſe which he had called his own, and
Q4
" is
( 248 )
<<
is now become anothers: that he will be
put into a cold, narrow grave: that earth
" will be configned to earth, aſhes to aſhes,
"and duft to duft: let any man duly and
daily ponder theſe things, and how can it
"be that he ſhould dare
Here the ſtrength of this good man failed
him, and his eſſay is left thus unfiniſhed.
On the ſecond of November he found that
his weakneſs encreaſed, yet he went to
Church, and on that day officiated for the
laft time. After this, his faintneſs conti-
nued gradually to encreaſe, but he ſuffered
not the leaſt degree of bodily pain. He
converfed with his family and earneſtly en-
couraged them to perfevere in the way he
had pointed out to them. And addreffing
himſelf particularly to his brother, ſaid, My
dear brother, I must now ſhortly appear be-
fore God, and give an account of what I
have taught this family. And here with a
ſafe conſcience I can fay, that I have deli-
vered nothing to you but what I thought
agree.
( 249 )
agreeable to his word: therefore abide ſtea-
dily by what I have taught. Worſhip God
in ſpirit and in truth. I will uſe no more
words. One thing however I muſt add, that
you may be both forewarned, and prepar-
ed. Sad times are coming on, very fad
times indeed; you will live to ſee them.
Then grafping his brother's hand, he faid,
Oh! my brother! I pity you, who must fee
theſe dreadful alterations. And when you
ſhall ſee the true worſhip of God brought
to nought, and fuppreffed, then look, and
fear that defolation is nigh at hand. And
in this great trial may God of his infinite
mercy ſupport and deliver you.
The third day before his death he fum-
moned all his family round him, and then
defired his brother to go and mark out a
place for his grave according to the parti-
cular directions he then gave. When his
brother returned, faying it was done as he
defired, he requeſted them all in preſence of
each other to take out of his ſtudy three
large hampers full of books, which had been
there
( 250 )
there locked up many years. They are Co-
medies, Tragedies, Heroic Poems, and Ro-
mances; let them be immediately burnt
upon the place marked out for my grave:
and when you ſhall have ſo done, come back
and inform me. When information was
brought him that they were all confumed,
he defired that this act might be confidered
as the teſtimony of his diſapprobation of all
fuch productions, as tending to corrupt the
mind of man, and improper for the perufal
of every good and fincere Chriftian.
On the firſt of December, 1637, he found
himſelf declining very faft, and defired to
receive the Sacrament: after which, and tak-
ing a moſt affectionate farewel of all his fa-
mily, without a ſtruggle, or a groan,
he ex-
pired in a rapturous ecftacy of devotion.
Thus lived, and thus died Nicholas Fer-
rar, the beſt of fons, of brothers, and of
friends, on Monday, Dec. 2, 1637, preciſely
as the clock ftruck one: the hour at which
for many years he conſtantly roſe to pay his
addreffes to heaven.
That
(251)
!
That he was eminently pious towards
God, benevolent towards man, and perfectly
fincere in all his dealings; that he was in-
duſtrious beyond his ſtrength, and indefati-
gable in what he thought his duty: that he
was bleffed by Providence with uncommon
abilities, and by unremitted exertion of his
various talents attained many valuable ac-
compliſhments, is very manifeft from the
preceding memoirs, and is the leaſt that can
be ſaid in his praiſe: and though greatly to
his honour, is yet no more than that degree
of excellence which may have been attained
by many. But the fpiritual exaltation of
mind by which he roſe above all earthly
confiderations of advantage, and devoted
himſelf entirely to God, whom in the ſtrict-
eſt ſenſe he loved with all his heart, with all
his foul, and with all his ftrength, being
united to the active virtues of a citizen of
the world, gives him a peculiar pre-emi-
nence even among thoſe who excel in vir-
tue. For though he practiſed ſelf-denial to
the utmoſt, and exercifed religious ſeverities
upon himſelf ſcarce inferior to thoſe of the
reclufes
(252)
reclufes who retired to deferts, and fhut
themſelves up in dens and caves of the earth,
yet he did not, like them, by a folitary and
moroſe retirement, deprive himſelf of the
power continually to do good, but led a life
of active virtue and benevolence. His youth
was ſpent in an inceffant application to
learned ftudies, and the time of his travel
was given to the acquifition of univerfal
wiſdom. On his return home, in conduct-
ing the affairs of an important eſtabliſh-
ment, he diſplayed uncommon abilities, in-
tegrity and ſpirit. As a member of the houſe
of Commons he gained diftinguiſhed ho-
nour, and was appointed the principal ma-
nager to profecute, and bring to juftice the
Great Man, and Corrupt Miniſter of that
time. And having thus difcharged the du-
ties of a virtuous citizen, he devoted the reſt
of his life to the inftruction of youth, to
works of Chriſtian charity, and to the wor-
ſhip of God in a religious retirement, while
he was yet in poffeffion of his health and
ftrength, and in the prime of manhood.
That like the great Author, who was his
daily
( 253 )
daily and nightly ſtudy and admiration, the
Royal Pfalmift, he might not facrifice to
God, that which coft him nothing. In one
word, he was a rare example of that excel-
lence in which are blended all the brilliant
qualities of the Great Man, with all the
amiable virtues of the Good.
And it is now left to the determination
of the public, whether ſuch a Man can with
juſtice be ftiled An Ufelefs Enthufiaft*. Un-
doubtedly he was pre-eminent in his piety
and acts of devotion, which feems to have
given offence. Yet in other inſtances, emi-
nence in the virtuous exertions of the hu-
man faculties is attended with admiration,
not cenfure. Handell ftands honourably
diſtinguiſhed for excellence in muſical com-
poſition; Raphael for the ſuperior grace of
his pencil: Shakeſpear, Milton, and Cowper
for eminence in poetic fpirit: Lock, Newton,
and Waring for peculiar excellence in their
reſpective provinces of philofophic wiſdom:
why then, in the philofophy and practice of
Religion
* Gough's Topographia Britannica. Huntingdonshire.
:
( 254 )
Religion alone fhould peculiar eminence be
ftigmatized with farcaftic cenfure? If by the
brightneſs of his example he may have given
fuch light to any who fat in darkneſs and
the ſhadow of death, as to guide their feet
into the ways of peace, he has not lived in
vain, nor been an Ufelefs burthen upon the
earth.
He gave his mind to the law of the most
High, and was occupied in the meditation
thereof. He gave his heart to reſort early to
the Lord who made him, and prayed before
him. He was filled with the ſpirit of un-
derſtanding, he poured out wife ſentences,
and
gave thanks unto the Lord. Many ſhall
commend his underſtanding, and ſo long as
the world endureth it fhall not be blotted
out: his memorial fhall not depart away,
and his name fhall live from generation to
generation. Eccluf. 39.
I fhall cloſe this defence of Mr. Ferrar's
character with the following extract from
Mr. Cowper's incomparable, I had almoſt
faid
( 255 )
faid divine Poem, entitled, The Taſk, in which
he confiders the retired, religious man in a
very different light from the Author of the
Topographia Britannica.
He is the Happy man, whofe Life even now
Shews fomewhat of that happier Life to come.
Who doom'd to an obfcure, but tranquil ſtate
Is pleas'd with it, and, were he free to chooſe,
Wou'd make his fate his choice.
The world o'erlooks him in her bufy fearch
Of objects more illuftrious in her view;
And, occupied as earneſtly as fhe
Tho' more fublimely, he o'erlooks the World.
She ſcorns his pleaſures, for fhe knows them not;
He ſeeks not hers, for he has found them vain.
Not flothfull He, though feeming unemployed.
And cenfur'd oft as Uſeleſs-
Perhaps the felf-approving haughty World
Receives advantage from his noiſeleſs hours.
Of which ſhe little dreams. Perhaps the owes
Her Sunſhine and her Rain, her blooming Spring
And plenteous Harveſts, to the Prayer he makes,
Thinking for her, who thinks not for herſelf.
Forgive him then, thou Buftler in concerns.
Of little worth, and Idler in the beſt,
If Author of no Michief and fome Good,
He feek his proper happineſs, by means
That may advance, but cannot hinder thine.
Nor tho' he tread the fecret path of Life,
Account him an incumbrance on the State,
Receiving benefits, and rend'ring none.
The
(256)
The man whofe Virtues are more felt than feen,
Müft drop indeed the Hope of Public Praiſe;
But he may boaſt what few who win it can.
That if his Country ſtand not by his ſkill,
At leaſt, his follies have not wrought her Fall.
COWPER'S Talk, B. 6.
*
A $
!
A$
S a fequel to the preceding memoirs, I
will fubjoin a ſhort account of Mr.
Nich. Ferrar jun. as being proper, if not
neceffary, to clear up fome difficulties con-
cerning the works of theſe two extraordi-
nary perſons, who were bleffed with a fimi-
larity of genius, and poffeffed uncommon ac-
compliſhments in learning and virtue.
Nicholas Ferrar jun. was the fon of John
Ferrar, Efq; (elder brother to the fen. Ni-
cholas) and Bathsheba, daughter of Mr. I
rael Owen of London. He was born in the
year 1620. By a picture of him, in the Edi-
tor's poffeffion, taken when he might be
fomething more than a year old, he appears
to have been a robuſt, and healthy child.
When he became capable of inftruction his
uncle took him under his own immediate
care, and finding in him a quickneſs of parts,
and a turn of difpofition congenial to his
own, he inftructed, and affifted him in the
R
fame
√
( 258 )
fame courſe of ſtudies which he himſelf had
purſued in the early part of his life.
In theſe he made fuch a rapid proficiency,
as was the aſtoniſhment of all who knew
him, and, could it not be proved by fuffi-
cient teftimony, might occafion a great dif-
ficulty of belief.
It cannot be expected that the life of a
young man, who fcarce ever went from the
fequeſtered place of his education, and died
when he was but little more than twenty
years of age, fhould abound with incidents;
but if the term of exiſtence were to be mea-
fured by virtue and knowledge, few would
be found who have lived fo long.
This extraordinary youth was dearly be-
loved of his uncle, who ſpared no diligence
or expence in his education: providing able
tutors both in the ſciences and in languages,
and beſtowing great part of his own time in
his inftruction. He too, like his uncle, with
uncommon quickneſs of parts, and extraor-
dinary
( 259 )
dinary ſtrength of memory, poffeffed an equal
ardour for improvement, and an indefati-
gable ſpirit of application.
He also was the conſtant attendant of his
uncle in his religious exerciſes, and particu-
larly in the nightly watches, and acts of de-
votion. And it is to be feared that thefe
(may I fay?) too fevere exertions might in
fome degree tend to fhorten the term of
life.
He was but feventeen at the death of his
uncle, and he furvived him but four years.
He died May 19, 1640, in his twenty firſt
year.
The firſt work in which young N. Ferrar
appears to have been employed by his uncle
was the tranſlation of Mynfinger's Devoti-
ons; a volume containing a very large col-
lection of prayers for all forts and conditi-
ons of men. N. Ferrar fen. commended this
book of Occaſional Devotions as the beſt he
had ever feen upon the fubject, and ſaid that
R 2
it
( 260 )
it could not but do much good in the world.
This the nephew performed when he was
about fourteen years of age. His greater
works, as they are arranged in the original
MS. ftand as follows: and I give them in
the very words of the MS. without correc-
tion of fome little inaccuracies in the ac-
count, which it is hoped will meet with
pardon.
!
Theſe are the ſeveral things performed by
him after his worthy uncle's death, in the
four years that he lived after him, who had
hinted fuch like things as theſe, and other'
kinds to him, &c.
The which were prefented to the King,
and Prince, not only to his Majefty's appro-
bation, but admiration, that ſo young years
ſhould attain to the ability of the perform-
ance of theſe following works, which were
intended to have been fully finiſhed if God
had ſpared life to have proceeded in them,
&c.
The
(261)
The first work done.
Monoteffaron.
The Actions, Doctrines, and other paf-
fages touching our Ld. and Sav. J. Chrift.
As they are related by the four Evangeliſts,
harmonically, fymetrically and collatrically
placed in four languages, Engliſh, Latin,
French, Italian, reduced into one compleat
body of hiftory. Wherein that which is fe-
verally related by them is digefted into order,
and that which is jointly related by all or
any
of them, is firft extracted into one nar-
ration by way of compofition, to which are,
in all pages through the book, fundry exqui-
fite pictures, expreffing the facts themſelves,
or their types, figures, or other matters
thereunto appertaining.
Done at Little Gidding, Anno 1639.
This was made for, and accordingly pre-
fented to Prince Charles.
R 3
The
( 262 )
The fecond work done.
The Goſpel of our Lord and Saviour Jefus
Chriſt, according to the holy Evangeliſts, in
eight ſeveral languages, Hebrew, Greek, La-
tin, French, Spaniſh, High Dutch, Saxon,
and Welch. All interpreted with Latin or
Engliſh, word for word interlinearly, and
all at one view to be ſeen and read.
1
So done and contrived for the uſe and be-
nefit of all ſuch as are defirous, with fure-
nefs, eaſe, ſpeed and pleaſure to attain to
the knowledge of thefe languages: likewiſe
be of very good help to all ſtrangers
who may defire to learn
it
may
The Engliſh Tongue,
The third work.
Novum Teftamentum Domini et Salva-
toris noftri Jefu Chrifti Viginti quatuor lin-
guis, vid.
1. He-
(263)
1. Hebraicè.
13. Germanicè.
2. Græcè.
3. Syriacè.
4. Arabicè.
5. Æthiopice.
6. Latinè.
7. Anglo-faxonicè.
8. Mofcoviticè.
9. Cambro-Britannicè.
10. Belgicè.
14. Polonicè.
15.
Bohemicê.
16. Danicè.
17. Hungaricè.
18. Anglicè.
19. Gallicè.
20. Italicè.
21. Hifpanicè.
II. Suedicè.
22. Cantabricè.
23. Lufitanicè.
24. Sclavonicè.
12. Hibernicè.
Unaquæq; lingua proprio fuo charactere
fcripta, et omnes harmonice et fymmetrice
collocatæ
Etiamq;
Syriaca literis, et vocalibus Hebraicis
fcripta, Cum interlineari Latina interpreta-
tione infuper adjecta.
This work was fo done by Nicholas Fer-
rar, to make proof to the King that he un-
derſtood all thoſe languages made uſe of in
this and the next work. And his Majeſty
was highly pleaſed to fee it: faying it did
R 4
fully
(264)
fully fatisfy him in every particular. For
it is alfo to be noted that theſe works, the
firſt and third, being well accepted by the
King and Prince, many paffages of moment
happened in the delivery and approbation of
them, and of the King's refolution then
made to fend young Nicholas to Oxon, un-
der his own immediate protection. All
which would require a large difcourfe *.
The fourth work.
Sacro-fanctum S". Johannis Evangelium
in totidem linguis quot funt Capita.
Cap.
Æthiopicè.
2. Græcè.
Cap.
6. Saxonicè.
7. Hebraicè.
3. Syriacè.
8. Anglicè.
4. Arabicè.
9.
Cambro-Britannicè.
5. Latinè.
10. Bohemicè.
Cap.
* This diſcourſe was afterwards drawn up by Mr. J.
Ferrar, the eldest brother, and author of the old MS. but
does not now appear.
( 265 )
Cap.
11. Cantabricè.
12. Germanicè.
13. Hungaricè.
14. Gallicè.
15. Italicè.
16. Hifpanicè.
Cap.
17. Suedicè.
18. Danicè.
19. Polonicè.
20. Belgicè.
21. Hibernicè et Mof-
covitice.
Et unaquæq; linqua per interlinearem La-
tinam Interpretationem ad verbum reddi-
tam et pofitam explicata.
The fifth work done.
The law of God, as it is delivered in the
five books of Mofes, methodically diſtribut-
ed into three great claffes, Moral, Ceremo-
nial, Political. And each of theſe again
fubdivided into the feveral heads as the va-
riety of the matter requires; wherein each
particular fubject difperfedly related in the
forementioned books, is reduced to the pro-
per head and place whereunto it belongeth.
Containing in all three hundred thirty three
heads: alfo every head of the Political is re-
duced to that precept of the Moral, to which
it
(266)
it properly belongs: likewife there are fun-
dry treatiſes, fhewing in what, and how di-
vers of the ceremonial laws were fhadows
and types of the Meſſiah that was to come.
And alfo in what, Adam, Abel, Noah,
Abram, Ifaac, Jofeph, Mofes, Aaron, Jofua,
Gideon, Jephtha, Samfon, David, Solomon
and his Temple, Elifha, Job, Daniel, the
Pillar of fire, the Red fea, the Rock, and
Manna were all figures of our Lord and
bleffed Saviour J. Chriſt.
With an Harmony of all the Prophets,
foretelling the Birth, Life, and Death of
Chriſt Jefus that was to come; to confirm
the Chriſtian and to convince the Jew: to-
gether with a diſcourſe of the twelves ftones
in Aaron's Pectoral, their feveral virtues,
&c.
1
As alſo an harmonical parallel between
the types of the O. Teftament, and the four
Evangeliſts' relations concerning our Lord
and Saviour, refpectively prefigured by the
holy Prophets, and other facred writers,
More-
J
( 267 )
Moreover there are divers treatiſes fhewing
how, in what manner, times and places, the
feveral promiſes and threatenings, foretold
by Mofes, did accordingly befal the Jews:
with the fulfilling alfo of our Saviour's pro-
phecy in the deſtruction of their City and
Temple, and of the defolation of the land
of Jewry: with the miſeries which the Jews
have ſuſtained under many nations, and par-
ticularly here in England, France, Spain,
Germany, &c. and their ſtrange difpofitions,
and God's judgment on them to this day.
All teſtifying the Truth of the Divine Ora-
cles.
This work alfo is fet forth with hundreds
of pictures the better to expreſs the ſtories,
and contents of it.
This was prefented to the Prince, Anno 1641.
This work was not entirely compleated by
N.Ferrar, but was finished by his cofin Ferrar
Colet
( 268 )
Colet* then of Peterhouſe, Cambridge, and
was prefented to the Prince fome little time
after the death of the Author.
The fixth work.
Glory be to God on high.
The N. Teftament of our bleffed Lord
and Saviour Jefus Chrift; in twenty fix lan-
guages, which are as follow,
1. Hebrew.
12. Polonian.
2. Syriac.
3. Greek.
4. Arabic.
5. Chaldee.
6. Samaritan.
7. Æthiopian.
8. Sclavonian.
9. Hungarian.
10. Cantabriail.
13. Bohemian.
14. Engliſh-Saxon.
15. German.
16. Daniſh,
17. Swediſh.
18. Low-Dutch.
19. Engliſh.
20. Welch.
21. Iriſh.
11. Muſcovian.
22. Latin.
23. Ita
*Ferrar Colet, Col. Pet. A.B. 1639. A.M. 1643.
Regiſt. Acad.
(269)
23. Italian.
25. French.
24. Spaniſh.
26. Portugueſe.
To which is annexed the Lords Prayer in
fixty ſeveral languages.
Laus Deo.
釁
​Dr. Tanner, in the papers communicated
by him to Mr. Hearne, and publiſhed in
the notes to the Hiftorical Memoirs of the
Ferrar family, at the end of the 2ª Vol. of
Caii Vindicia, attributes all theſe works of
deep learning to the uncle, thinking it not
poffible that one fo young as the nephew
ſhould be equal to ſo great a work.
Now here are upon the whole eight works
to be affigned to their true Authors, which
I think will not be attended with any great
difficulty. With refpect to the two firft
Harmonies, that of the Goſpel, and that of
the books of Kings, and Chronicles, Dr.
Tanner determined right in giving them to
the uncle. The laft of thefe, which was
done
(270)
done at the particular defire of the King, in
the year 1635, was without all doubt the
work of N. Ferrar fen. fince it is ex-
preffly faid in the old MS. that he defigned
and finiſhed it between Oct. 1635, and Oct.
1636; and that when he had compleated it,
it was then bound by young Nicholas in
purple velvet, and moſt richly gilt, and ſent
to ABp. Laud to be prefented to the King.
Had it been made by N. Ferrar jun. it would
not have been faid only that he bound and
gilt it. The firſt of theſe, namely the Har-
mony of the four Evangeliſts, which was
prefented to K. Charles I. in the year 1635,
was finiſhed by the uncle in the year 1630.
The Harmony of Kings and Chronicles was
compofed when young Nicholas was but in
his 14th year, when he had a large, and dif-
ferent work upon his hands, the tranflation
of Mynfinger: and the Harmony of the
Evangelifts was done when he was not ten
years of age. Theſe two works then, by all
rules of probability, are to be affigned to N.
Ferrar fen. and as far as I can judge, the
Harmony of Kings and Chronicles was the
laft
i
ጉ
(271)
laſt work of this fort that was performed by
N. Ferrar fen.
The reſt, wonderful as the thing may ap-
pear, there is fufficient reaſon to give to N.
Ferrar jun. For the judgment of Bp. Tan-
ner, which is different from mine, I muſt
refer the reader to the notes to the 2ª Vol.
of Caii Vindicia, at p. 809, and fo on to
the end of that volume.
d
I will now ftate thefe works as they ſtand
in the old MS. and as they are claſſed by Bp.
Tanner, which will give an opportunity to
compare the two accounts.
By Bp. Tanner.
Monoteffaron is marked 2.
TheGoſpel of ourLord,&c. 5.
Novum Teft. &c.
Bythe old MS. marked
I.
2.
7.
3.
S. S. Johannis Evang.&c. 6.
The wholeLaw of God,&c. 3.
4.
5.
6. The
N. Teſt. in 26 lang. beginning,
Glory be to God on high.
The
(272)
The Monoteffaron, done at Little Gid-
ding in the year 1639, two years after the
uncle's death, was by defire of the King, ex-
preffly made for, and accordingly preſented
to Prince Charles: and if the Titles are com-
pared, it ſeems to be taken from the firſt
Harmony by the uncle, which was prefented
to Ch. I. in 1635. And the part which the
younger Nicholas appears to have had in
this work, was to draw up his uncle's Har-
mony in the three additional languages, La-
tin, French, and Italian; which may be con-
fidered as an effort of no fmall merit in a
youth of eighteen.
All the reft, it is pofitively afferted in the
old MS. were performed by the Nephew,
after his worthy uncle's death in the four
years
that he furvived him. Theſe were not
all entirely finiſhed; and thoſe which were
not, were to have been compleated by his
cofin Ferrar Collet, of Peterhouſe and of.
Clare Hall, and afterwards Rector of Ham-
merton in Co. Huntingdon: but there is
reaſon to believe that he was prevented by
the
+
( 273 )
the troubles of the fucceeding times; in
which, for their ſteady loyalty, the Ferrar
family, and all their relations were deeply
involved, and ſuffered feverely in their pro-
perty.
What is now become of the feveral copies
of thefe works* I cannot difcover, and
there-
* It appears from the following letter, and the note
annexed that Mr. N. Ferrar fen. foon after he had finiſh-
ed his Harmony of the Goſpels, prefented one copy to his
niece Mrs. Sufanna Mapletoft, daughter of his favourite
fifter Mrs. Collet. And that Mr. John Mapletoft had
in his poffeffion not only this Harmony, but alſo the great
Concordance, and other productions of Mr. Ferrar.
Mr. Nicholas Ferrar to his married niece Mrs. Sufanna
Mapletoft.
My dear and worthy niece,
The equal joy and benefit which I have in and by you,
make me as gladly give you my part, as your fifters have
done theirs, of this book, and to add my farther promiſe
(which their joint confent doth ratify) that, of every good
thing which God fhall impart to us, you ſhall have as free
and liberal a communication as we can poffibly make
you; which not only our love, but your own defert binds
us to, whilft you continue (what you are by the perform-
ance of your duty) the great comfort and ornament of our
family.
God make you to encreaſe in all his graces and bleff-
ings, Amen!
Yr. Uncle
N. Ferrar.
S
In
( 274 )
therefore cannot pretend to form any judg-
ment of their real merit: in the old papers
of the family, ſtill remaining, they are ſpoken
of in terms of the higheſt applauſe; but poſ-
fibly, affection for the amiable virtues of a
much loved friend and relation may have
had its influence on the judgment of the
critic. Thus much however is certain,
that Charles I. in regard to the extraordi-
nary abilities of the young man, had deter-
mined to take him from his retired fitua-
tion and introduce him to the learned world,
by placing him at Oxford under his own
immediate protection. But the public mi-
ſeries then ready to break out, and the pre-
mature death of this worthy youth put an
effectual
In the Harmony was this memorandum. "This book
was prefented by my great grandmother, by my honoured
mothers two fifters (the daughters of John and Suſanna
Collet) and by their uncle Nicholas Ferrar (who was my
godfather) to my ever honoured mother Sufanna Maple-
toft, the fame year in which I was born (1631.) And I
defire my fon (to whom I do give it, with the great
Concordance, and other ſtory books) that it may be pre-
ferved in the family as long as may be.
John Mapletoft.
Jan. 23, 1715.
1
(275)
effectual ſtop to all the kind intentions of
the King.
I have lately found fragments of fome of
the Harmonies; and particularly of The
whole Law of God, &c. much hurt by time
and other injuries; a ruin, however, fuffi-
cient to fhew the immenſe labour and mag-
nificence of the original ſtructure.
That the younger Nicholas was, contrary
to the opinion of Bp. Tanner, the real author
of the laborious works here attributed to him,'
is very manifeſt from the Elogium Sepul-
chrale by Mr. Crafhaw, who was upon a
footing of the moſt familiar and friendly in-
timacy with the family, and knew every
circumſtance relative to them; was uſed to
ſpend great part of his time at Gidding, and
was a man of that eſtabliſhed virtue and in-
tegrity, that he never would have afferted
that this extraordinary youth was one
Qui eleganti, admiranda potius Induſtria
In facris concinnandis Harmoniis
Doctrinæ fimul et Religionis fpecimen dedit,
S 2
had
( 276 )
fr
had he not known it to be ſtrictly true.
With his Sepulchral Eulogy I fhall clofe the
character of this pious and worthy young
man.
Lector, •
quifquis es
vel fortis humanæ
quem
vel elufæ fpei
miferet,
vel ereptæ virtutis
Sifte te paulum ad hoc lachrymarum Monumentum,
Sepulchrum Nicolai
generofæ Ferrarorum familiæ Hæredis;
piiffimi illius Nicolai,
quem ipfe orbis admiratur
tanquam unicum integræ virtutis Domicilium,
Chariffimi nepotis:
Londini, fi patriam quæris, oriundi,
Geddinge Parva, juxta Venantodunum, educati.
Juvenis nimirum ·
A
qui, inter privatas illas folitudines,
Stupenda fua indole actus
Ipfum fibi Academiam habuit. "
Qui ad vicefimam tertiam Linguam
vix Tutorem habuit, vix indiguit,
vix annos petiit,
Et tamen annorum numerum linguis duabus
Cui
fuperavit:
Ingenio quam annis major.
Grammatica, Neceffitati,
Hiftoria, Otio,
Philofophia, Studio,
Mathematica, Voluptati,
Mufica, Pietati,
fuit.
Theologia, Praxi,
Qui
(277)
Qui
eleganti, admiranda potius induftria
in facris concinnandis Harmoniis
(quibus ne verbum aut fupereffe
aut deeffe Evangeliftis oftenditur)
Regi et Aulæ cognitus
Doctrinæ fimul et Religionis fpecimen dedit.
S Precibus
Qui Jejuniis crebris
Vigiliis
Temperantia perpetua
vel a primo decennio Deo infervivit.
Familiæ fuæ et exemplum, et folatium pietatis
fummæ erga Parentes obedientiæ
fingularis erga amicos amicitiæ
eximiæ erga omnes humanitatis
profufæ erga pauperes benignitatis
Vefte, Verbis, Vita, fobrius, modeftus, humillimus.
Qui in omnibus Amicorum Spem longè poft fe reliquit.
t
Omnium Fidem
Nec hic ftetit;
dum majora adhuc anhelans
nullum Studiis fuis ftatuerat
nifi Univerfæ Naturæ Terminum.
Sed Natura præpropere terminum pofuit.
ne deeffet tandem velociffimo ingenio
quod evolveret.
Libentiffimè hic affenfit
ut Mens, nondum fatiata Scientiis
inveniret in Deo quod in terris non potuit.
Inde eft
Amicorum dolori, Reipublicæ literariæ damno,
Spei humanæ Confufioni, Gloriæ tamen fuæ
1
quod hinc abiit
s 3
vel
(278)
"
1
vel ad Doctorum vel Virginum Chorum,
Anno
Regis Caroli XVI.
Ætatis fuæ XXI.
Chriſti MDCXL.
Die Maii XIX°.
:
A P.
APPENDIX.
R. John Ferrar, author of the old
MR.
MS. frequently referred to, wrote to
Ed. Lenton, Efq; of Notley, enquiring whe-
ther a letter from him formerly written to
Serj'. Hetley, was not the groundwork of a
libellous pamphlet, entitled, The Arminian
Nunnery, at Little Gidding in Hunting-
donfhire. Mr. Lenton's anſwer and vindi-
cation of himſelf, as follows, is dated Oct.
the year not ſpecified, but it was 1642.
27,
Sir,
"If your meffenger had ftaid but one night
longer, I would not have delayed my an-
fwer to your fo difcrete and refpectful a let-
ter; which makes me with we were better
acquainted, in hopes to confirm your good
and charitable opinion of me.
$ 4
2. Sir,
( 280 )
2. Sir, I confefs I fhould much degenerate
from my birth (being a Gentleman) my
breeding (well known to the world) and the
Religion I profeſs; if having, upon fome-
thing a bold vifit, been entertained in your
family with kind and civil reſpects, I fhould
requite it with ſuch ſcorn and calumny as
this libellous Famphlet feems to infinuate.
3. Sir, my conceit of it is, That, in this
time of too much liberty (if not licentiouf-
nefs) of the Prefs, many Ballad-makers and
neceffitous perfons (it may be ſet on work
by fome Printers themfelves, to promote
their Trade) diſtil their barren brains to
make proviſion for their empty bellies, by
publiſhing ſuch novelties and fictions as
they think will vent beft; and, when they
have ſpent their own little wit, borrow of
others to eke it out; and fo, enterlacing fome
ſhreds of their own, they patch up a penny
Pamphlet, to ferve for their morning's
draught.
4. Of this ftrain I take this book to be.
The
( 281 )
The ground whereof (you doubt, but I
doubt not) was the letter I writt to Sir Tho-
mas Hettley (many years fince) upon his
requeſt, that, in my paſſage from him to my
Lord Mountague's, being by your houſe, I
would fee and certifie what I could in fo
ſhort a ſtay, touching the various reports
divulged in moft places of your religious
rites and ceremonies.
5.
To which my true relation (which I
am forry and marvel how it ſhould light in
fuch huckſters-hands) the Pamphleteer, by
his additions and fubftractions, interweav-
ing truth with falſehood to purchaſe fome
credit to his untruths, hath drawn conclu-
fions and accufations of Arminianifm and
other fopperies, not once mentioned in my
letter; but, as wifely as that Atheiſt, who,
to prove there was no God, vouched one
end of a verfe where David in his Pfalms
faith, There is no God; and left out the be-
ginning of the verſe, That the fool hath
faid it in his heart.
6. By
(282)
6. By this time, Sir, I hope you fee I am
fo far from being the Author, Infuſer, Abet-
tor or Countenancer of this Fable, that, by
it I take myſelf to be as much abuſed, and
that there is as much afperfion caft upon
me as upon your family, by a fly and cun-
ning intimation (my letter being his ground-
work) to make me thought (by fuch as
know me not well) to be the author and di-
vulger of his lies and fcandals, which (by
God's mercy) my foul abhors.
7. Had he ſhewed his diflike of ſome of
the ceremonies, &c. (as I myſelf did, by way
of argument) I fhould not (nor, I think,
you) ſo much have kindled at it. But fo to
add to, ſubſtract, pervert, and falfify my let-
ter, I think the Author (if haply he may be
found out) deſerves to be cenfured as a
counterfeiter of falfe letters and tokens, and
as a contriver and publiſher of falſe news,
according to the law of the land and the
ſtatutes in like cafe provided.
8. His ignorance (which yet excufeth not
a toto,
( 283 )
t
a toto, if a tanto) I think will be his beſt
plea. For, it ſhould feem, he is no great
clerk. Which I obſerve even almoſt at the
beginning of his ſtory, where he tells a tale
as of a third perſon, and in the ſame clauſe,
within two or three lines after, ineptly
changeth it into the firſt perſon; without
any apt tranſition. A foleciſm which a
mean ſcholar would hardly have fallen into.
9. To have put the true copy of my let-
ter in print, without my privity, had been
a great inhumanity. But, to pervert it with
fo many falfifications and laying his inhu-
manities on me, I think, none but a licen-
tious libeller, or a beggarly ballad-maker,
would have offered.
1
io. I was fo confcious to myſelf of in-
tending no wrong to your family in my re-
lation, that I thought to have ſent your bro-
ther [N.F.] a copy thereof; and had done
it, if want of opportunity in his life-time,
and his death afterwards had not prevented
me. And I would now fend you a true copy
thereof,
( 284 )
thereof, if you had not. wrote to me, that
you had it preſently after my writing it.
And fith I have been at your houſe long
fince (for it is about feven years paſt, as I
take it, that I writ the relation) I prefume
you would have expoftulated the matter
with me, if you had taken any juſt excep-
tion or diſtaſte at it. But therein you might
well perceive, that I endeavoured not to de-
tract any thing from you, or to conceal even
the civility or humility I found, or what I
had heard or believed of your works of
charity.
1
+
11. Thus, Sir, even the very fame day I
received yours (for there needs no long time
to anſwer a matter of fact with matter of
truth; and being full of indignation to be
thus traduced, whereof I longed inſtantly to
diſcharge myſelf) I fcribled over this candid
and ingenuous anfwer. And I am now
troubled that you gave me no direction for
the addreſs thereof to you; which, when
haply you ſhall receive, I leave to your own
diſcretion, to make what uſe thereof you
pleaſe;
( 285 )
pleaſe; prefuming that you will therein have
the like refpects to me which herein I have
had to you. So leaving us to the guidance
of our good God, I fubſcribe, as you to me,
your friend and fervant,
Notley near Thame,
Oct. 27.
Ed. Lenton.
To the worſhipful my worthily eſteemed
friend John Ferrar, Efq; at his houſe in
Little Gidding in Huntingtonſhire.
The copy of my letter to Sir Thomas
Hetley, Kt. and Serjeant at Law, upon his
requeſt to certify as I found.
Good Mr. Serjeant *.
1. I can give you but a fhort account of
my not two hours ftay at the reputed (at
leaft reported) Nunnery at Gidding; and
yet muſt leave out three parts of our paffages,
as fitter for a relation than a letter.
2. I came thither after ten; and found a
fair houſe, fairly feated; to which I paffed
through a fine grove and ſweet walks, let-
ticed and gardened on both ſides.
* 1635.
3. Their
( 286 )
3.
Their livelihood 500l. per annum, as
my Lord Montague* told me; one of his
manfion houſes being within two or three
miles of them.
4. A man-fervant brought me into a fair
fpatious parlor. Whither, foon after, came
to me the old Gentlewomans fecond fon
[Nicholas Ferrar;] a batchelor, of a plain
preſence, but of able ſpeech and parts.
5. Who, after I had (as well as in ſuch
cafe I could) deprecated any ill conceit of
me, for fo unuſual and bold a vifit, enter-
tained me very civilly and with much hu-
mility. Yet faid, I was the firft who ever
came to them in that kind; though not the
firſt whom they had heard of, who deter-
mined to come.
6. After deprecations and fome comple-
ments, he ſaid, I ſhould ſee his mother, if I
pleaſed.
7. 1
Edward Lord Montague, fon of Henry E. of Man-
chefter.
+ At Kimbolton,
( 287)
7.
I fhewing my defire, he went up into
a chamber, and preſently returned with
thefe; namely,
8. His mother, a tall, ftraight, clear-
complexioned, grave matron, of eighty years
of age.
9. His elder brother, married (but whe-
ther a widower, I aſked not) a ſhort, black-
complexioned man. His apparel and hair
ſo faſhioned as made him fhew Prieft-like.
And
10. His fifter, married to one Mr. Colet:
by whom ſhe hath. 14 or 15 children‡: all
which are in the houſe (which I ſaw not yet.)
11. And of theſe, and two or three maid-
fervants, the family confifts.
12. I faluted the mother and daughter §,
not like Nuns, but as we ufe to falute
other
But 12 only. Add to thefe Mr. John Ferrars 4 chil-
dren, and they make 16.
§ Old Mrs. Ferrar and Mrs. Sufanna Collet.
the a
( 288 )
other women. And (after we were all feated
circular-wife, and my deprecations renewed
to the other three *) I defired that, to their
favor of entertaining me, they would add
the giving of me a free liberty to fpeak in-
genuouſly what I conceived of any thing I
fhould fee or have heard of, without any
diftafte to them.
13. Which being granted; I firſt told
them, what I had heard of the Nuns of
Gidding. Of two, watching and praying
all night. Of their canonical hours. Of
their croffes on the outfide and infide of
their chapel. Of an altar there, richly decked
with plate, tapeſtry, and tapers. Of their
adorations and geniculations at their en-
tring therein. Which, I objected, might
favor of fuperftition and Popery.
14. Here the younger fonne, the mouth
for them all, cut me off; and, to this laſt,
anſwered firft, with a proteftation, That he
did
* Mr. John Ferrar, Mr. Nicholas Ferrar, and Mr.
John Collet.
}
(289)
did as verily believe the Pope to be Anti-
chriſt as any article of his faith. Where-
with I was fatisfied and filenced, touching
that point.
15. For the Nunnery; he ſaid, That the
name of Nuns was odious. But the truth
(from whence that untrue report might
arife) was, that two of his nieces had lived,
one, thirty; the other, thirty two, years,
virgins; and ſo reſolved to continue (as he
hoped they would) the better to give them-
ſelves to Fafting and Prayer: but had made
no vows.
16. For the canonical hours, he faid, they
ufually prayed fix times a day. As I remem-
ber, twice a day publickly, in the Chapel;
and four times more, privately, in the houſe.
In the Chapel, after the order of the book
of Common-Prayer; in their houſe, parti-
cular prayers for a private family.
17. I faid, if they ſpent ſo much time in
praying, they would leave little for preach-
i
T
ing
( 290 )
ing or for their weekly callings. For the
one I vouched the text, He that turneth
away his ear from hearing the law, even his
prayer fhall be abomination *. For the
other, Six days fhalt thou labour, &c.
18. To the one he anſwered, that a neigh-
bor Minifter of another pariſh came on Sun-
day-mornings, and preached; and fometimes
they went to his pariſh. To the other, that
their calling was to ferve God; which he
took to be the beft.
19. I replied, that, for men in health and
of active bodies and parts, it were a tempt-
ing of God to quit our callings, and wholly
to betake ourſelves to fafting, prayer, and a
contemplative life, which by fome is thought
little better than a ferious kind of idleness;
not to term it (as St. Auftin terms moral
virtues without Chrift) fplendida peccata.
20. He enjoyned, that they had found
divers perplexities, diſtractions, and almoſt
utter ruin, in their callings. But (if others
knew
*Prov. xxviii. 9.
( 291 )
knew what comfort and content God had
miniſtered to them fince their fequeftration,
and with what incredible improvements of
their livelihood) it might encourage others
to [take] the like courſe.
21. I faid, that fuch an imitation might
be of dangerous confequence. And that if
any, in good cafe before, fhould fall into
poverty [when entred into it,] few after-
wards would follow the example.
22. For their night-watchings, and their
rifing at four of the clock in the morning
(which I thought was [too] much for one
of fourſcore years, and for children.) To
the one he ſaid, it was not [too] much;
fince they always went to bed at feven of
the clock in the evening. For the other,
he confeffed, there were every night two
(alternatim) continued all night in their
devotions, who went not to bed until the
reſt aroſe.
23. For the croffes he made the ufual
T 2
anſwer,
1
(292)
anfwer, that they were not aſhamed of that
badge of the Chriftian profeffion which the
firſt propugners of the faith bare in their
banners, and which we, in our Church dif
cipline, retain to this day.
24. For their Chapel; that it was now
near Chapel time (for eleven is the hour in
the forenoon) and that I might, if I pleaſed,
accompany them thither, and fo fatisfie my-
ſelf beſt of what I had heard concerning
that. Which afterwards I willingly enter-
tained.
25. In the mean time I told them, I per-
ceived all was not true which I had heard
of the place. For I could fee no fuch in-
fcription on the frontifpiece of the houſe,
containing a kind of invitation of fuch as
were willing to learn of them, or would
teach them better. Which, I faid, was ſome
encouragement for me to come (as one de-
firous to learn, not to teach) and might be
ſome excuſe of my audacity, if they would
be pleaſed to to accept it. But he, barring
me
( 293 )
me from farther compliments, faid, the
ground of that report hung over my head.
26. We fitting by the chimney, [I faw]
in the chimney piece was a manuſcript Ta-
bleture; which, after I had read, I craved
leave to beg a copy of (fo they would not
take me for too bold a beggar.)
27. He forthwith took it down, and com-
manded it to be preſently tranſcribed and
given to me.
28. I offered the writer money, for his
deferved pains: which was refuſed. And
the mafter [N.F.] conjured me not to offer
it a ſecond time. And thereupon [alſo he]
made it his [farther] fuit [to me], not to
offer any thing to any in that houſe, at my
parting, or otherwife. The words of the
proteſtation are as followeth *.
29. The
* IHS
He who by reproof, &c. fee p. 134 of theſe Memoirs.
т3
( 294 )
29.
The matter of this declaration being
in fuch general terms, I faid, I thought it
without exception. But I prayed leave to
except againſt a circumſtance, namely the
fuperfcription: it being the proper character
of the Jeſuits in every book and exhibit of
theirs.
30. He ſaid, it was that aufpicious name,
[Jefus] worthy to be the Alpha and Omega
of all our doings; and that we are command-
ed to write ſuch things on the posts of our houſes
and upon our gates
*
31. I told him, I was far from excepting
againſt that facred, faving name of Jeſus;
onely I could have wiſhed it written at length,
or any other way, to have differenced it
from that which the Papifts only uſe, but
no Proteftants. And, that the text he men-
tioned, was in the old Teftament (where
there was no mention of Jefus, but of Je-
hovah) to my remembrance. But
32. We
Deut. vi. 9.
( 295 )
32. We paffed from this towards the Cha-
pel, being about fourty paces from the houſe;
yet [were] ftaid a little (as with a parenthe-
fis) by a glass of fack, a fugar-cake, and a
fine napkin, brought by a mannerly maid.
Which refreſhed my memory to tell them
what my Lord Biſhop of Lincoln [Williams]
faid of them. Wherein yet I brake no laws
of humanity or hofpitality (though ſpoken
at his table.) For he faid nothing but what
they wiſhed and were glad to hear; [all]
being but the relation of the grave and diſ-
crete anfwers (as my Lord himſelf termed
them) of the old Gentlewoman to fome of
his Lordſhips expoftulations.
33. To that part concerning the young
Deacon, whom his Lordſhip had heard of,
to come from Cambridge to officiate in their
Chapel; he (innuendo even the younger fon,
who onely was the ſpeaker) faid, that him-
felf was the young Deacon intended. That
he is two and fourty years old; was Fellow
of an Houſe in Cambridge; and hath taken
the Orders of a Deacon.-To fay nothing
T 4
of
( 296 )
of his having been at Rome (whereof I
could have excepted no more againſt him
than he might againſt me) For having been
fo long in the labor of the Chapel, it is now
high time we were at the Church-
34. At the entring thereof he made a low
obeyfance; a few paces farther, a lower;
coming to the half-pace (which was at the
eaft end, where the table ſtood) he bowed to
the ground, if not proftrated himſelf: then
went up into a fair, large reading place (a
preaching place being, of the ſame propor-
tion, right over against it.) The mother,
with all her train (which were her daugh-
ter and daughter's daughters) had a fair
ifland feat.
35. He placed me above, upon the half-
pace, with two fair window cuſhions of
green velvet before me. Over againſt me
was fuch another feat, fo fuited; but no body
to fet in it. The daughter's four fons kneel-
ed all the while on the edge of the half-
pace; all in black gowns. (And they went
to
( 297 )
to Church in round Monmouth caps, as my
man faid; for I looked not back) the reſt all
in black, fave one of the daughter's daugh-
ters, who was in a Fryer's grey gown.
36. We being thus placed, the Deacon
(for ſo I muſt now call him) with a very
loud and diſtinct voice, began with the Le-
tany, read divers Prayers and Collects in the
book of Common-Prayer, and Athanafius
his Creed, and concluded with The Peace
of God, &c.
37. All ended, the mother, with all her
company, attended my coming down. But
her fon (the Deacon) told her, I would ſtay
awhile to view the Chapel. So with all
their civil falutations towards me (which I
returned them afar off; for I durft not come
nearer left I ſhould have light upon one of
the virgins; not knowing whether they
would have taken a kifs in good part or no)
they departed home.
38. Now (none but the Deacon and I
left)
( 298 )
left) I obferved the Chapel, in general, to
be fairly and ſweetly adorned with herbs and
flowers, natural in fome places and artificial
upon every pillar* along both ſides the Cha-
pel (fuch as are in Cathedral Churches)
with tapers (I mean great virgin-wax-can-
dles) on every pillar.
39. The half-pace at the upper end (for
there was no other divifion betwixt the body
of the Chapel and the eaſt part) was all co-
vered with tapeſtry. And, upon that half-
pace, ſtood the Communion-table (not Al-
tar-wife, as reported +) with a rich carpet
hang-
* Pillar. He fhould rather have faid ftalls: for there
are no pillars in the Chapel. F. P.
+ Formerly the Church Puritans generally fet the
Communion table either in the body of the Church, or
(if in the Chancel, yet) with the two ends pointing eaſt
and weft (not north and fouth.) And Williams, now Bp.
of Lincoln (in oppofition to Abp. Laud and others, who
fet it Altar-wife) infifted much upon their ſtanding fo.
And, in obedience to Bp. Williams (who was his dioce-
fan) no doubt it was, that Mr. Ferrar fet his Communion
table, after the Puritan manner, with the two ends point-
ing eaſt and weft. Though, I gueſs, it ſtood otherwiſe
'till this very year 1635. Be that as it will, this paffage
may ferve to fhew, that Bp. Williams was, even then,
hatch-
1
( 299 )
hanging very large upon the half-pace; and
fome plate, as a chalice, and candleſticks,
with wax candles.
40. By the preaching place ſtood the font;
the leg, laver, and cover, all of braſs, cut
and carved. The cover had a croſs erected.
The laver was of the bigness of a barber's
bafon.
41. And this is all which I had leiſure to
obſerve in the Chapel; fave that I aſked for
the organs? And he told me, they were not
there; but that they had a pair in their
houſe.
42. I aſked alſo, what uſe they made of
ſo many tapers? He ſaid, to give them light,
when they could not fee without them.
43. Then (having, as I told you before,
obtained leave to ſay what I lifted) I aſked
him,
hatching his Holy Table, Name and Thing (printed in
1637) and fetting others to oppofe the Archbishop's ufage.
Though the Bp's own practice, in his own Chapel at
Buckden, both before and after, was otherwife. F.P.
( 300 )
(300
him, to whom he made all thoſe courtefies?
He ſaid, to God. I aſked, if the Papiſts
made any other anſwer for their bowing to
images and crucifixes? yet we account them
idolators for fo doing. He faid, we have
no fuch warrant for the one. But, for the
other we had a precept, to do all things with
decency and order*; as he took this to be.
44. I demanded then, why he uſed not
the fame folemnity in his ſervice at his houſe?
And, whether he thought the Chapel more
holy than his houſe? He ſaid, no. But that
God was more immediately prefent, while
we were worſhipping him in the Temple.
45. I replied, that I thought God was as
preſent at Paul's Croſs as at Paul's Church;
and at the preaching-place at Whitehall,
and 'ſpital Sermons, as elſewhere. For,
where two or three are gathered together in his
Name, God is in the midst of them. And yet
in thofe places (no not in the body of the
Church, though there be a Sermon and
Prayers
*I Cor. xiv. 40.
+ Matt. xviii. 20.
( 301 )
Prayers there) we do not uſe this threefold
reverence, nor any low bowing, unleſs in
the Chancel towards the eaſt, where an Al-
tar, or ſome crucifix, is? He answered me
fomething of the Trinary number, which I
did not underſtand, nor well hear.
46. This, as all other our diſcourſe, being
ended with mildneſs and moderation (on his
part at leaſt) I faid farther, fince their de-
votions (from which they would be loth to
be diverted or interrupted, as in the faid
proteftation appears) are more ſtrict and re-
gular than uſual, if in their conſciences they
were perfuaded that all their formalities and
ceremonies were but adiaphora (things in-
different) I then thought they were as wiſe
as ferpents (in the fcripture fenfe) in com-
plying fo with the Church ceremonies, that
they might the fafelier hold on their courfe
without exception. For in this comport-
ment, I thought, authority would not ex-
cept againſt them, unleſs for exceeding the
Cathedrals; who make but one reverence,
whereas they make three. He faid, I ſpake
like
(302)
like one who ſeemed to have had experience
in the world,
47. It being now near twelve a clock, we
ended our difcourfe, and I called for my
horſes; hoping that thereupon he would
have invited me to ſtay dinner: Not that I
cared for his or any man's meat (for you
had given me a dinner in too good a break-
faft) but that I might have gained more
time to have feen and obferved more of their
faſhions; and whether the virgins and yonger
fort would have mingled with us? with di-
vers other things, which ſuch a dinner-time
would have beſt have miniſtered matter for.
But, inſtead of making me ſtay, he helped
me in calling for my horfes; accompanying
me even to my ſtirrup. And fo, I not re-
turning into the houſe, as we friendly met,
we friendly parted.
48. Many more questions I thought on,
when it was too late; and yet you fee I was
not idle for the ſhort time I ſtayed. I aſked
him, of their monthly receiving the Sacra-
ment?
(303)
ment? And, whether their fervants (when
they received) were attended by their maſters
and miſtreſſes, and ſuffered not ſo much as
to lay and take away their own trenchers,
as I had heard? Whereat he ſmiled, as at a
frivolous Fable, and ſaid, the only difference
[then] from other days was, that the fer-
vants (the day they received) fat at the fame
table with them.
49. I heard alfo that they never roft any
meat; onely boil and bake (but not in paſte)
that their fervants may not be much hin-
dered from their devotions. And that they
have but one horſe amongſt them all. But
of theſe I made no mention.
50. They are extraordinary well reported
of by their neighbors, viz. that they are very
liberal to the poor; at great coft in prepar
ing phyſic and ſurgery, for the fick and fore
(whom they alſo viſit often) and that fome
fixty or eighty poor people they taſk with
Catechiftical queftions: which when they
come and make anſwer to, they are rewarded
1
with
( 304 )
with money and their dinner. By means of
which reward of meat and money,
money, the poor
catecumens learn their leffons well: And fo
their bodies and fouls too are well fed.
51. I find them full of humanity and
humility. And others fpeak as much of
their charity: which I alfo verily believe.
And therefore am far from cenfuring them:
of whom I think much better than of my-
felf. My oppofing of fome of their opinions
and practices, as you fee in this my relation
(wherein I may have varied in fome circum-
ſtances, but nothing from the ſubſtance)
was onely by way of argument, and for my
own better information. I fhall be glad to
obferve how wifer men will judge of them,
or imitate their courſe of life.
52. I intended not a third part of this
when I began, as you may fee by my firſt
lines. But, one thing drawing on another,
I have now left out little or nothing to my
remembrance; faving what I thought fitting
in good manners, upon my firſt affront, to
make
( 305 )
make way for my welcome, and ad captan-
dam benevolentiam; which is not worth the
repeating, if I could; and I am ſomething
better at acting fuch a part, than at relating
it: though good at neither.
53. After this long and tedious relation,
I muſt now make but ſhort thanks to your-
felf and my Lady for my long and kind wel-
come; wherein my wife joyns with me;
praying your remembring our loving re-
ſpects to our kind nieces (hoping the good
ſcholars at Weſtminſter are well.) And fo
I leave you to the grace of God; and am
the fame, your loving friend
Edward Lenton.
U
CA-
(306)
!
CATALOGUE of MSS. [once] at Gidding.
1.TH
HE Harmony of the Gospels, re-
quefted by, and prefented to K.
Charles I.
2. The Harmony of the books of Kings and
Chronicles, done at the defire of K.
Charles I. and prefented to him.
3. Lives, Characters, Hiftories, and Tales
for moral and religious Inftruction, in
five volumes folio, neatly bound and gilt
by Mary Collet.
4. Memoranda concerning the ordering the
houſe and family.
1
5. Reftitution of the Glebe, 52 pages folio.
6. Thankſgiving, upon learning the Con-
cordance, folio.
Do.
( 307 )
Do. in 4°. but imperfect, in Mr. N. F's
own hand.
Theſe undoubtedly were all written by
N. Ferrar fen. befide the various works
mentioned in the courfe of thefe Memoirs.
7. Poems by Richard Ferrar, Efq; 16 pages 4°.
8. Account of the King's being at Gidding,
5 pages folio. In a letter from Mr. Peck,
it is faid, "I have now got the account of
King Charles I. being three times at Gid-
ding in 1633, 1640, and 1646.”
9. Mr. Nich. Ferrar's Life: in the hand of
Mr. J. Ferrar, 76 pages folio.
10. Mementos concerning Mr. N. Ferrar,
folio, 1655.
11. Letter from Dr. Byng to Mr. N. Ferrar,
in recommendation of Mr. B. Oley, re-
queſting Mr. Ferrar's protection and in-
tereſt that Mr. Oley might be elected into
a Fellowſhip of Clare Hall: dated Oct.
U 2
15,
(308)
15, 1623: a fecond letter upon the fame
ſubject, dated Oct. 22, fame year.
12. Befide thefe, which were in great part
deſtroyed, in the devaſtation of the place,
there is an antient MS. in folio, giving an
account of the Life of Mr. N. Ferrar,
which at length from Gidding came into
the hands of Mr. Ed. Ferrar of Hunting-
don, and is now in the poffeffion of the
Editor. Mr. Peck had the uſe of this MS.
as appears by ſeveral marginal notes in
his hand-writing: from this, and fome
loofe, and unconnected papers of Mr.
Peck, ſeemingly parts of his rough draught,
the Editor, as well as he was able, has
made out the foregoing Memoirs. Mr.
Peck had taken great pains indeed, and
if I remember right, had collected a great
number of authorities, and anecdotes, that
might have given amufement to the cu-
rious. The detention of this MS. de-
prives me of the power of doing this, and
I therefore entreat the reader's indulgence,
for not providing him a better entertain-
ment,
( 309 )
ment.
There were alfo various other
MSS. of leſs import, relative to family
affairs.
Having been defired by a very worthy and
judicious friend to give a ſpecimen of Mr.
Ferrar's devotional compofitions, I here add
one prayer, which was ufed regularly the
firſt Sunday in every month, and one which
was drawn up on the particular occafion of
the dangerous illneſs of his dear friend Mr.
Geo. Herbert.
The eſtabliſhed rule of the family was to
receive the Sacrament the first Sunday of
every month in the parish Church, and
on thoſe days in their devotions at home
to add a general form of thankſgiving for
dangers eſcaped, and mercies received; of
which the following is a copy fomething
ſhortened.
"We come, O Lord, moſt mighty God,
and mercifull Father, to offer unto thy Di-
v 3
vine
.
( 310 )
1
vine Majefty, the monthly tribute of that
duty, which indeed we are continually bound
to perform, the tender of our moſt humble
and hearty thanks for thoſe ineftimable be-
nefits which we, unworthy finners, have
from time to time in abundant manner re-
ceived of thy goodness, and do even unto
this hour enjoy. Yet by our ingratitude
and abuſe of them, we have deferved not
only the deprivation of theſe good things,
but that by a rigorous chaftiſement thou
ſhouldeſt make us an example of thine im-
partial juftice. For there is none, O Lord,
to whom thou haft given more abundance
or greater variety of the comforts of this
life. If we ſhould go about to tell them,
they are more in number than the fand:
there are none upon whom thou haft more
freely conferred them; yet ought we to con-
fefs that we are not worthy of the leaſt of
thy favours. And as in regard of our un-
worthineſs, ſo likewiſe in reſpect of the low-
linefs of our condition whence thou haft
raiſed us, of the dangers wherewith we have
been environed, of the difficulties wherewith
we
(311)
we have been enthralled, we muſt needs cry
out, Great are the wondrous works which
thou haft done: for on every fide we hear
the voice of the beholders, Bleſſed are the
people who are in fuch a cafe. Wonderfull
indeed hath been thy goodness towards us,
while the wife have been difappointed in
their counfels, while the full of friends have
been left defolate, while the men whofe hands
were mighty have found nothing, while the
ſtrong on every fide have fallen, We, O
Lord, have been by thy power raifed up, by
thine arm have we been ſtrengthened, guided
by thy counfels, and relieved by the favour
of thy mercies. And that we might know
that it was thy doing, by thofe ways and
means which we thought not of, thou haft
brought us into a wealthy place, and to theſe
many comforts which we now enjoy. And
although we have not any way deſerved thy
favours, yet is thy patience extended towards
us. We muſt needs acknowledge, O Lord,
that the liberality of thy hand is extended
even beyond the largenefs of our own hearts.
And yet, O Lord, all this is nothing in com-
pariſon
:
( 312 )
(312
Į
pariſon of that which we may farther enjoy.
By how much the things of Heaven do
furpaſs thoſe of the Earth, by how much
everlafting happiness is more worth than
the tranfitory and feeble pleaſures of this
life, by fo much more furpaffing are thoſe
graces and favours with which thou haft
furniſhed us for the knowledge of thy hea-
venly will, and for the practices of thofe
duties, of which our converfation in this
world is capable.
Thou haft given to us a freedom from all
other affairs that we may without diſtrac-
tion attend thy fervice. That holy Goſpel
which came down from heaven, with things
the Angels defire to look into, is by thy
goodness, continually open to our view: the
ſweet muſick thereof is continually founding
in our ears: heavenly fongs are by thy mercy
put into our mouths, and our tongues and
lips made daily inftruments of pouring forth
thy praiſe. This, Lord, is the work, and
this the pleaſure of the Angels in heaven:
and doft thou vouchfafe to make us par-
takers
( 313 )
takers of fo high an happineſs? The know-
ledge of Thee, and of thy Son is everlaſting
life. Thy ſervice is perfect freedom: how
happy then are we, that thou doſt conſtantly
retain us in the daily exerciſe thereof!
With theſe favours, and mercies, O Lord,
we ought to acknowledge ourſelves moſt
happy: we ought to be joyfull in the midſt
of adverſities, in the depth of affliction, and
in the height of diftrefs. How much more
then are we bound to thee for thy mercifull
continuance of thoſe bleffings which we en-
joy! we are bound, O Lord, but unable to
perform this duty as we ought; yet fince
thou hast invited us, we now come to the
performance thereof; to render to thy Di-
vine Majesty the moſt humble, and hearty
acknowledgment of our own demerits, and
thy infinite goodneſs. We beseech thee that
thou wilt enlarge our hearts, and open our
mouths, that our prayers may be ſet forth
in thy fight as incenfe, and the lifting up
our hands as a facrifice unto thee, for the
only merits of thy dear Son, in whoſe name
of
and
(314)
and mediation we offer up both our Prayers
and Praiſes, and together with them our-
felves, befeeching thee that they being fancti
fied by thy grace, may be every way made
acceptable to thee. Amen."
On particular occurrences, Mr. Ferrar
compoſed more particular forms, to be uſed
occafionally, of which the following is an
example.
On Fryday (date not mentioned) Mr.
Mapletoft brought us word that Mr. Her-
bert was faid to be paft hope of recovery,
which was very grievous news to us, and fo
much the more fo, being altogether unex-
pected. We preſently therefore made our
publick fupplication for his health in the
words, and manner following.
"O moſt mighty God, and mercifull Fa-
ther, we moſt humbly befeech thee, if it be
thy good pleaſure, to continue to us that fin-
gular benefit which thou haft given us in
the friendſhip of thy fervant, our dear bro-
ther,
( 315 )
ther, who now lieth on the bed of ſickneſs.
Let him abide with us yet awhile, for the
furtherance of our faith. We have indeed
deferved by our ingratitude, not only the
lofs of him, but whatever other opportuni-
ties thou haft given us for the attainment
of our falvation. We do not deſerve to
be heard in our fupplications; but thy
mercies are above all thy works. In confi-
deration whereof we proftrate ourſelves in
all humble earneftneſs, befeeching thee, if
fo it may ſeem good to thy Divine Majeſty,
that thou wilt hear us in this, who haft
heard us in all the reft, and that thou wilt
bring him back again from the gates of
death: that thou wilt yet a while ſpare him,
that he may live to thy honour, and our
comfort. Lord, thou haft willed that our
delights ſhould be in the Saints on earth,
and in fuch as excell in virtue: how then-
ſhould we not be afflicted, and mourn when
thou takeſt them away from us! Thou haſt
made him a great help, and furtherance of
the best things amongst us, how then can
we but eſteem the loſs of him, a chaſtiſement
from
( 26 )
¡
•
from thy diſpleaſure! O Lord, we beseech
thee that it may not be fo: we beseech thee,
if it be thy good pleaſure, reftore untó us
our dear brother, by reftoring to him his
health: fo will we praiſe and magnify thy
name, and mercy with a ſong of thankſgiv-
ing. Hear us, O Lord, for thy dear Son's
fake, Jefus Chrift our Saviour. Amen."
Thus have I complied with the defire of
a worthy friend; and in fo doing have, I
think, given to the public, in theſe exam-
ples, not only a proof of the piety of Mr.
Ferrar, but alſo of his excellence in devo-
tional compofition.
!
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