; i 1 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES LfNlVEKSl'iT of CJALIFUKJNJA AT LOS ANGELES LIBRARY THE O F Mr. Richard Hooker, (That Learned y Qod/y^fudicious^and Eloquent Divine) Vindicating the CHV%CH of s:?scq L j:a(J), As tmly Chrijiiafti and dnly Reforvied: In Eight Books of ECCLESIASTICAL POLITY- . * Now compleated. As with the Sixth and Eighth, fo with the Seventh, (touchibQ^Ept/eofjacyf^iSthQ Primitive,Catholickand Apoftolicfc Government of the Church) out of his own Manufcripts, never before Publilhed. With an account of his Holy Life, and Happy "Death, Written by Dr. Joh» Cande;i, now Biftiop o^Exeteir. The entire Edition Dedicated to the Kings Mofi Excellent Majcftie, CHARLSthell, By whofe Royal Father (near His Mar- tycdon) ) the former Five Books ( then onely extant } were commended to his dear Children, as an excellent means to fatisfie Private Scruples , and fettle the Publiquc Peace of this Church and Kingdom. Tames 3.'i7' T/;e tpifdam from above^ is fjrji pure, then peaceable^ gentle, eafie to be iti' treated, full of mercy andgoodfPork,Sy mthout partiality and hypocrifie. iAati T ttfi.n&ifdC'tCaiA, ;^ t' ap/iaB/a'ri*. Plat. Mitlti tsidio invejiigand^ veritatis ad proximjt divtrttint ert ores. Min . Fel . I London \ Printed by J. J?e/?, for Andrerv Cook^y at the Grttn Dragon In^. Pdtsh Churck*yard. 1 662'. 1-i; «5 ) TO THE ^ K I N G S Moft Excellent Majestie C H A R L S the II. By the Grace of God, King of Qreat "Br'ttany , France and Ireland^ Defender of the Faith, O'c. Moft Gracions Sovcraign , Lthough J^mnf how link leifure Great K.\n^shave to react Large Books, or indeed anj, /ave one-- ly (jods (^the Jludy^ belief and obedience of iUfhich , is Precilely -^ commanded^ e^en to K^^gs^ Deut^ 1 7. 18,1 p. Mdfromwbkb, whatever wholly diverts them^ will hazard to damn them ; there being no af- fairs of fo great importance, as tbeirferVmg (jod^and laving their own fouls- nor any Treceptsfo Wtfe,juH, hol^' and/afcy as thofe of thc^ !Di vine Orades; nor any ^m^ivQ fogloriouSy as that by wbich K^ngs being fubje^ to Gods L aw, halc^ Dominion over theEQ> ', ^ (o Kv An Epiftle to the K^ng, iclvcs, andfo beft deferve and exercife^ it oyer their Subjedls.) Jet haying liyedtofee the 'wonderful and happy Re- ftauration ^your Majcfty to your %ightful King- doms^andoftbis reformed Church to its juft rights, primitiye order, and priflinec0nftitucion,^>'j^«/M4- jeflies prudent care, and unparallel'd bounty , / l^otp notn>hat toprefent more mrthy of your Majeflies ac- ceptance, and my duty, then ^^^/^ elaborate and fea- fonable Works of the Famous and Truaent sfM^r. ^{c\i2ixA}:lo6kQrnort> augmented, and 1 hope com^ pleated vpith the three la/l Books, fo muchdejired, and fo long concealed, . ^1^ he publtjh'mgof M)hich Volume Aintire, aftdthtn prcfentmg it /o^owrMajefty, feems to be a blefsmg and honor refer vei by Cjodi Troyidenee^ to add^ a further Lw^mt to your Majefties^onovis Name, 4«^ happy Km^iti^hofe traiScGndtntfayourJuJlicef merit and mum^ccncc to the long afflidled Church of England, is aJubjeB no lefs vporth^ of admiration then gratitude to allpofierity : And oj allthings(^next Qods gracc)wo/ tobeabufedor turned intoi»antonnefs by any of your Majefties Uerg)f,xifho are highly obliged beyond all other Suh]e6ts to piety, loyalty andinduftr^m 1 [ball need nothing more to mgrariate this Incom- parable Piece to your Majejlies acceptance, and all the Englifh rporlds , then thofe high commendations it hath eyer had, as from allprudentjpeaceable attd impart tial T^eaders,fo efpecially from your Md]eW%es^o^A Father, w^^o afevp days before he n>as Crowned with Martyrdom, commended to Z>/jdcareft Children, f^f diligent Reading ^A/r.HookersEccIefiaftical Polity, eyen next the Bible ; as an exceSent means to fettle An Epiftle to the Kjng. Jettie them in the tru th of R eligion, ^mfin the peace^ ^ibs Cfeurch, as wwr^Chnftian, and as n>ell Re- fopined AS any under Be^yeniJs if God had referred this fignal Honor to be done by the befl of Kings,^«^ greatcftSufrereris for ibis Church; to himwhoiPas ism of the heft WtkerSyOnd Mfi Dekndexsofit. ^ 7^0 (hkcdmfkatcd Edhion., I h^ye added fuch particular accsums as hmldget^^tl^e Authors per- fon, edDcatroi'?;^ temper, maiTneFSjfortunesj \\^tdnd dtdi^^yphkh nvtWian hath hitherto done to any exadl- mk of propoFtion; ^ hat hereby your Majefty and all the v^orld may feeQf I have been able at this difiance of time to tal^his E^hgksaright')'whatfortofmen are fitte/l for iZhurchwork (yphieh like the building of SoiomonsTcmpie, is beft cjsrriedon mth mo/i evcn- mk-of fudgemeotj and\Q3&noikofpafsion{) Alfo y^hatmanner of man he was, to whom we all owe this itoble nor^^and durahh defence, VFhichts mdeed atonce (as the Tongues ofElo' quent princes are to themfehes^ and their Subjedls) both ^Trealiiry a^ran A rmory,^^ inrich the friends ^ and defend agatn/lthe Enemies of the Church 0/ Eng- land: <#r^r6 Compofitjono/unpafsionate Reafon, and unparrial Religion: the mature produB of a ju- dicious Scholar^ a loyal SubjeB^ an humble Treach- er, andamvfl eloquent yVrtter: the yery abftradt and quintcflence of L aws Humane and T>i'i ine, a fummary of the grounds, rules and proportions oftvuQ P olity in Church and State : upon ipphich clear, foltd^ andfafe foundat!ons,r/?f^ooi OrderfPeace^and Qo* vernment of this Church was anciently fettled, and on i»hich^hile it Hands firm, tt mli be fllourifhing : All other popular andfpecious pretenfions hing found by late An Epiftle to the Kjng. late/ad experiences, to be^ as novel and unfit,/? fadlt-' ous and fallacious,>'^4 dangerous anddefiruBivetotbe peace and profperity ojfthis Qhunh and Kingdom , ji>hoJe mfeparatle happinefs 4«^Interefls are bound up in Monarchy ^wtf' Hpifeopacy. Ihe Tolitic{ andvifible managing of both rpbich, god bath nox^ gracioujly reflored^ and committed to jour Maje/lies Soyeraign MV iCdom and Authority^ after the many (T long Trsigcdicsfufered from thofe Club-mafters and Tub^miniOiCYS , n^ho fought not fairly to obtain Reformation offphat might fe em amifs, iutVtolentlyand rvhoUyto oferthrovp the ancient and goodly Fabrick of this Church and Kingdom ; f or findingthemf elves not able in many years to Axi" fvver this oneBook,/ow^^^o npritten in defence of the lruthf)rderf]oyernmenty Authority and LibertyQn /^/w^ J indifferent) of this %eformedChurch^agreea* ble to right Reafon^ and true "Religion (j»hich ma^s this VfeU-temperedTeice a fie capable /o ^rf 4^ the teeth of any that denture to bite itC) they confpiredat lail to leta{e themfehes to Arms, to l^ndle thofe hor^ rid fires ofCmll^yars;a>hicb this mfe Author for efai» and foretold in his admirable Preface, muldfoliovp thofe fparks, and that fmoak rphich hefayp rije in his days: So thatfrom'im^trtmQnt Difputes (^feconded rpith fcurnlous Pamphlets) //>f>'^^^fo tumults, fedi- tion, rebellion, facriledge, paracide,^^^ regicide,- counfels, weapons and ipr3i6ticcs, certainly^ no way be- coming the hearts and hands of Chriftian {ubjcdts,«6r eyer fanBified by (jjriUjforhis fervice^ or his Churches good, VyhatnoXP vQUi^ixns, hut your Majesties per feBing andpYeferVtng that (in this Church) Vfhicbjou haye rpith An Epiftle to the KJng, Hfith much prudenee and tendernejs Jo happjiy l;egun and profecmedy mth more zeal then the eUahlifhmem of your own Throne. Tbejl'tU crazy Church of England, together mth this Book (ks great andim^ pregnable Shield^ do further needy and humbi^ implore your Majefties Royal Prote(5tion under God;^or can jour Majefty by any generous in/tance and perje- yeranceQnoJl VfOrthy of a Lhriftian I\^ng)more exprefs that pious and grateful fen fe i»hich Qodandall good men expeB from your zfMaiefly , as fome retribution for his many miracalous mercies to your felfy then in a mfejpeedyyand happy fettling of our %sligious peace ^ mth the lea^ gntv^ncQ^andmojl faisfa^^ion to^allyoar good Subjc<5ls J. Sacred Order and Uniformity being the centre 40^ circumference e/o«r Civil Tranquil- lity; Sedition naturaOy rifing outof Schifm, and'E^- hellion out offaUton-, The onely cure and AniidotQ againfl both, are good Lslws and Canons , firB^ mfely made, mth all Qhriflian Moderation^ and Seafonable Charity.^ next, duly executed mith f«- Hice^and impartiality 3 v^hich fbberfeyerity^ is indeed the greater Charity to the Tubli^ue, VVhofe Vc" rity , Vnity, SanBity and Solemnity in Religious Concernments y being once duly cftabliftied, muft notbefhaken orfacrificed to any private varieties and extray a fancies, FFhere the intervals of DoBrinCy aSMoralityy Myjleries , and Sy angelical Duties y being (as they are in the Church of England") found and f acred y the externals of decent Forms y Circmn^ ftancesy %ites and Ceremonies y being fubotdinate andferyient to the main , cannot be either eyil or unjafe , neither offenfiye to (jod nor good Chrifti" am. hr An Epiftle to the K,ing* For the attaining of vphich blcfled ends ofTiety md Teace^ that the /acred Sun and Shield of the Divine Grace and Power direUing andproteBing^ may eyerjhine upon Hour Maieft'tes Terjon andFa^ mil^t CotmfeU and Toi»ery is the humhle prayer of Yottr Sacred Maje/ties mo& LojaI SuhjeS , and devoted Seryant, j4ttU4ff I* i66u loh. Exon. THE LIFE&DEATH OF Mr. Richard Hooker , (The Learned and juftly Renowned Author of the BCeiESlASTlCJl vcre admirable, many things imitabUy and all things commendable^ yet hath no ac- cotint publique 6V private hitherto been given of him, by any Writing or Infor- B nJitioii Th Life and Death of maiioa proportionate to his Dimenfion?, whomcrited a Volume, and is nottobe made up in fliort and obfcure Narratives : For nothing is more deformed, then to Tee the H^roick^ tmitunc'us of grand Perfons fhnink to pttifnl Epitomies , like Mfops Fables, wrapping up JcbUles in an 'Enchindion , and putting Hercules into a pi7itepot; (JugHjiifftmas virtxtes Jcripti Angttjiiis minuend*) fetting Vertue as it were in the Itocks, and wire-drawing ample worth , through the ftraits of an en- vious pen, or penurious ftile : Great Saints do merit great flirines j eminent wif- dom and valour may well expeft Iliads. r ,, Not that Mr. Henkcr wanted either ErxeUtneies capable to have invited and em- ^c^ouw ployed the molt accurate pens of his agej nor yet did he want learned friendf^ heretofore and jift Admirers ^ who were highly devoted to his honor ; yea, indeed to Gods given of Mr. ojory , which deferved and required fome juft and gratef'.il del'cription of thofe il. KK"- rjregr/fxand graces^ which were liberally bellowed on him, and excellently ufed by him. But the nobler and better fort of the Englijh clergie (who were conformable to thu Church) feemed fo fatisfied with thofc illuftrions f though till nowdefedive^ Monuments, which he left in his writings , that they thought he wanted nothing more to preferve h's memory, or to keep Pofterity in a perpetual admiration (M him, then the reading of his works : They judged the Jeteel of his name was fo well' fee ill hisfolid and fplendid Writings, that ihere needed no other /«/ : And perhaps that was Mr. Hookers fortune , which oft befals rare faces , ai,d lingular beauties, to have no pifturc left of them, becaufe no hand was fo prefumptuous of its skill, as to venture to take their Pourtraifture. So that the defed on this ftdc may be imputed to a modell defpair of emulating t he Origiwd/, or hitting the life. Others C ^^ho warped from the Ohurch of England") and have ventured to be (Bi:igrrphersJ writers of the lives of fome Englilh Vivines ( as fome of late have done during the Ataxy or Anarchy of Tresbjtery and Independency J thefe have either envioufly palfed by this Mr. Hooker, becaufe they took him to be no friend to their parties ('which were then to be cried up among the vulgar ;) or they did him this right, to efteem him ^graviftmum & in traUabilem adverfariumj as a very learned , fo a very heavy Adverfary ; not to be commended by them^ be aufe never to be anfwered , in his jult, valiant and Viftorious oppofitions againft their Deiigns , Piinciples, and Interefls , who were either a little crols- grained , or more rudely non-conform to the Church of England. \\ho(c fcurrilons Petutancy fas to the meaner and more Plebean fort of thofc ScriblcrsJ lAi-Hwk^r then mollfe\ereIy chaftifed, when being intent onely toRea- fon and P».eligion , he difdaincd to aiifwer them according to their fully and railing, but left them to be punilhedby their own impotent paflions, and impudent man- ners : Others of that party, who feemed to be the fobereft and ftrongeft Pillars of it, this grand Hero couragioufly cncountred, notably routed, and utterly vanquilh- ed, even to the (ilencing of them ; ferioufly difcovering their machinations and devices, gravely aiifwering all their Sophijiical and Popular Fallacies , fully «on« fitting all their ftrongeft Arguments, beating them eut of their FajineJJes and Rt- trejtf, deniolilhing their very Fortifications, and thofe Towers of Babel^ which their confufed fancies and tongues had built in their own crowns, and fought to fee up in this Church. Mr. Hookers namefet off with equal nifdom and meeknefj, for the ftrength of truth managed by modeft eloquence , gave fuch a terror to fuch writers , that they kept an allonilhed dilbnce from him : And indeed this fort of par»w/ Hiftorians, chofe to be wilfully ignorant of Mr. Hotk^r^ and fo to keep the world ; afraid ta read his works , and afhamed ( it they did read them ) to own that pregnancy of Reafon which doth encounter them in all his writings : Hence they were (o wary, as not to meddle with what they had no minde to perform, and thought it fafer to let him relHn quiet, or to bury him in Silente^then either by difparaging of him to cxpofe themfelves to the laughter and fcorn of all wife men; or by commending him, to difjdvantage their party and cjst/e, which for many years after his Ecclefiajlical 'Polity was publifhed, lay gafping and fprawling for breath, as An^ t£Hs under the Itrift pr^ures or gralpings of this mighty Htrtults i outofwhofe armt Mr, RichardHooker. j arms they dcfpaired to get, uiilefs fome lucky opportunity would offer it £r^~to~ aft, not by Argument s^ but by Arms 5 not by rational or Religious demonjir ations hxxtiumultuftOf tbrce, and violent iniprefllons, cutting thofe cords afunJer by Se. rfitiffrt and Rebellion ^ which they could not diflblve by j ift difputation: As it came to pafs after many days, when the Goblin Srntglymtitm tiift appeared, and con- jiircd up thofe Presbyterian and Independent Spirits , from the North and South, which could not be allayed, until they had quite «r«;dc3Lme church ov State") theftrength of the Church of E«g/a«(i was much decayed and un- to be lode- dcrmined, before it was openly battered; partly by fome fuperfluous, illegal and fpcracc.ya- i,„autijorized innovations in point of Ceremony, which fome men atfefted to ufe MuH^wtefi *" publique, and impofe upon others, which provoked people to jealoufie and jult defence fi'ry, even againft things lawfiil, every man judgingtruly, that the meafure of all of it. piihli^Ht obeaience ought to he publique ^Laws ; partly by a fupine negleU in others of taemain matters in which the Kingdom of God, the peace of Confcience , and of the Churches happinefs do chiefly conlift , while they were immoderately intent upon mtei" Formalities, and more zealous for an outseard conformity to thofe iha- doAS, tien for that inward or outward conformity with Chrilt, in holy hearts, 3ii\<3k uublameablc lives, which molt adorn true Religion. Heiice, as the Learned Dr. Holfworth obferves in his firft Lefture, did the vi^i- Iai;t Enemies of the Church of England tikt their rife; by thcfe/i<»iy^in our own lide-', the waters came in whieh fank^ us : Not that legal Conformity was eitlier the fin or Jhame of this Church, or any good man : Decent Ceremonies, or Rites for Solemnity, as motes in the Sun, neither adding to the facred light of Religion, nor detraftiiig from It, where the confcience is pure, and the life unfpotted : But to be fuper- ceremonial^ or folely-ceremonial, is no lefs folly then to be anti-ceremouial ; for it doth not onely prejudice the wifdom and authority of the Church , as if it wholly, or too mi.ch doted on thefe petty matters (which is the great bleuiilh, and juft blame of the Church of Rome, where too much of Ceremonies, hath fmotiicred and overlaid much of the true Religion, as afhcs do the hrej but it "ives an ad- vantage to the no\ ellizing infolency of its Adverfaries, as great as Valilah did to the Thilijiines againlt Sampfin, when by cutting off his hair , flie bereaved him of his great ftrength ; not that itiay in his hair, which was but afymbole of his votv, asa Naza- rite; no more then the health, honor, and happinefs of the Chtnch of England, lies in its legal Ceremonies: But thefe are fuch publique inftances and evidences of its Authority ; fuch boundaries, againit all viiible extravagances , fuch demmjirations of ks Mr, Richard Hooker, its nnanlmity , fiich tie* and bonds of publique Unifbrmkyj and fuch Ornaments of Reverend Sohmnity , or viiible fanftity , that whoever openly defpifeth , for- faketh or violatcth the Authority and wifdom of the Church in thcfe things, either adding to, or taking from its cuftoms or ConjiitHtiom, takes the courfe ei- ther to betray her, or ^ejiroj her : For fancying himfelf to be wiftr then the Law, he wants nothing but power to make him Matter of ic; that fo he and his party may ("as Julius C^far) become DiSators to the Publique : Nothing keeping the peace of any Polity^ ScclefiajHcal or Ctrl/, fo firm and fure, as the ftrift kcepin<» of al! men to itsLa^s, without going to the right hand, or to the left : No man may dimini(h from, or adde to publique ConjHtutions ; which like curiaat Coyn are ftamped with the Image of fufremt Wifdom and Authority, and may not be dipped or defaced by any private hand, nor yet heightned or abafed by.any pri*. vate judgement , lignifying neither more nor lefs, then the publique efieem and declared ufe hathfet upon them. Although this admirable Writer was not fo happy to purge oat the difeife and Mr.Hooliri humour rpffolly fromthis Church, yet (as the Jefttites poirder dothinquartanes') he pains very nnich damped and quenthedit ; fo that for a long time, thefitsand paroxyfms urcngthncd oi' Non-cnnformity were aWiyed: Nor do I doubt, but that Cod of his mercy fiir- tlic Churches Ted up fo great an- inftrument of his glory in thofc times (^vhen the 'Difciplinarian "^"quil^y* fa&ion boiled very high, yea, and brijiled too againll the ^een and Partiamtnts j a8 well as againll: Bifhops ; petitioning, rcmonftrating , nionilhing, murmuring , me- nacing, and mutyning , that he might (fiigiddtn fnffundert), give them a cool dafh, and thereby the tranquility of this Church might be lengthucd ; as it was, for the f^zce of forty years; ziter the blafphemy ind execution of Hack^find his CompliceS, had brought an infinite flianie and horror upon all that diffimitig party. Yet at length, the conduence of our common and perjonal fins , brought on the Conformity feared and foretold Calamities, prevailing againft Gods patieficc and long fuffer- *°^'"^k^*^l* ing: And when there was no remedy, wrath broke forth upon all eftates and de- the-Church grees in Church and Kingdom : Not for any Legal , fober and due conformity to of Enilaud tkat Reformed Religion , which was eftablilhed with truth and holinefs for the mifcrie*, fubftance, as with order and decency, for the Ceremony and SoUmnity-j without any Jcnowri error in the former, ov zny fuperjlitim in the latter: But'theiin, the Achan, the curfed thing that troubled Jfrael , chiefly lay in the emptineft , formality, un- thaKk^fulnefs, hypoerifie , and nnfatthfulnefs of thofe, who knew not how to prize and ufe fo great mercies temporal znd fpiritual, as were to be enjoyed in the Church of 'England, by Loyal and Religious Chriitians. Nor did the Divine Vengeance chufe or ufe any other rod of his wrath, where- Therodcho* with to affliftthis Church, but that which Mr. Hooker forcfaw, and foretold : For fen by divine all other Se^s and ¥ anions were butjthe flips znd fttrcttlations of that old root oi bitter- vcneeanceto Wf/V, which went under tic name oi Non-conformity-, the head or tail, theih"K| and p^ ^ f* poyfon ofwhichi were the B'tfciplinarisns ; or Presbyterians , of all late dijjenters, Enpfand, the moit dangerous : For they moved not fo much upon their fcruples and diflatis- faftion in point of fonic little Ceremonies (as many well-meaning men did but (pro fumm£ imperii^ they had an ambition to govern m common , as Presbyters : The better to promote this, they fet up the new Title and Office of lay-Elders, that the common people in every Parifh might be fprinkled with the fame leaven , and fwdl fo the height of Mole-hills, as to fomepart oi Church Rule or Government in them. Tnefe Presbyterian Pompeys, rather then fail of this fo fpecious arid popular de- The ambitl- fignof governing, refolved to hazardall, having much to get, and littleto lofe of jious pre- ^ tjiate or repute, fuch (old and young) Monfters indeed there were of Non-confor- ^"^^^p"°^ mity ; for I do in charity believe, their cinel plots of late prafticed, were beyond bytgrs. * the intent, and utterly againft the minde of many more raodeft Non- conform ijis of old time; who had onely fomefear, left one or two of our Ceremonies^ might (a- vuir ftillof Superjiition av Pdpery (not confidering , if abufe of things good and tawfid be capable to defecrate them for a time, fure the rcftored right ufe of them is as able to co7ifecrate them a neve , as it hath done oiir ^hurches (which fome fani- iickj ipould have all demali(hed, becaiife they are elder then the late Reformation;) but thofe fneckfr fpiritsj Non'»conformiftsjnever oppofed Liturgy or Epifcopacj, mucb. The Life and 'Death of The mercy of reft«.r€(i tranquility. lefs the whole frame and being of the Church of England , to whole Article* and Canons they fubfcribed : However , many of them were carried down the latter fireams ef violence , which pretended at firlt onely to Ke formation^ not to extirpations Ambitious projefts never wanting fpecioiis vizos and pretenhons by which to begin, and ever wanting moderation in their procedures. The fury of T^^ intemperate heat of thofe high-fpirited and hot-fpur''d NanXonformijls , at foine Non laft fo over.hnyltd , that they quenched for a time the light of ourlfrael^ deformed conformUis. the beauty of Order andHolinefs, Law and Religion, Church and Kingdom, cafting thcmfclves and all things into fuch an Hell of horror , ucfbrniicy and confufion, as nothing but multiflied mirscks of Divine Mercy, could recover us out of that Jbyfj of defpair ; which had no hope left in it, but thefc /naxiwf/ of Eteroal Truth, which in the worft of times were fome Jf<»> to pious mindes : 1 hat Gad is merciful tu tvtll 45 jKJi j That when rrickedmen aretherud to punifli their betters, the chaftife- ment will not belong, and is lefs to thcfufferers, then to theunjult doers: That fin and hypocrilie can never profper long , though it may prevail : That all fin is its own Jevereft puniihment: That evil opuiions, areat laftmoH feverely confuted by their own evil psaftices, and fatal events: That patient obedience to God and man, will give a better account of it Iclf « (^onfcience^ though itbefutfering, then the mpft profperous finning , upon any prtfumptian whatfoever : That if man aim at Godsends in good earnell^ he will enquire, finde out and follow Gfl«ij- w«a»/, which mull ever be holy and juft, according to Gods and maps Laws: That rioemoniac') to its right tfits And ejiates •, to its former Ijpps, and true liberties in Church and State. I well know, that a TiUure taken at fo great a diftance from the life and death of Mr. Hooi^r (now lixty years paftj can hardly hit the life cxadtly , Time with its black and impartial mantle wrapping up all things in darknefs and oblivion, bury- ing pearls no lefs then pebbles, in durt and afhes ; efpecially where no care hath been taken Cexcept in iovnc f up erficia I and g«"«rrf/ ways) to prefervcanyfpecialcha- rafters of fuch a perfon, in whom no doubt, many particulars were rare, remarka- ble, both iti Nature, Art, and Grace. But my aim is fo far, at leaft, to retrive the /oiJtjie/)/, not onely of his well-known fame and worth; but, i. Of his Birth and Education. 2. His genius and temper oi body andminde, with the moft critical j»- fiances of his life and aiiions j his Perfon alfo, and outward Mine , or Afpeft, which is no fmall indication of mens mindes and manners. 3. Workj , or ^^7i!p3ojK*7a , as to his fVritings. 4, His (djirif or «>ijT«'«/) Sufferings and Tryals. 5. HisRt- wards ind Preferments. 6. and Itflly, liisVeath, ind Burial, arid Monument : That fo the Englifh World may fee by a Retrofpeftion (as glalTes which prefent thofc objeUs before us, which are indeed behindc us J what Kind* of Lamp that was, which contained How liard IS to write Mr. Hool-i's Life cxadUy It Mr.RicHARD Hooker, ^ contained fiich Golden Oyl ; ahicfi fhined with fo bright a light of Reafon, and ~ Religion ; which binned with fo difci eet a Zeal , and holy Fervency of united Gifts and Graces, as chearcd the Friends , and dazkd the Enemies of the Church of England. ^ ■ If I feeni to come fhort in any of thefe his true pfoportidns, it roiift not be r Mr Vimni iint)iited to my wantofgoorf trill^' or good colours^ but to the want of a full view, birth and and free Profpe& of him ; whom the long intervail of time, and the negligence of education- former Wrlurs^ have left fo unobferved , that my beft intelligence hitherto, hath not been able to affurc me, as to tbefirjl head of his birth, what Village y lown or City had the honor of his. Nativity ■■, for which, as for Homers birth j many places nould ambitiouily contend. This onley fis certain On all hands, that he was born in the Vv'eft , either in, or not far from the City of Sxeter; onely Dr. Filvam, an An- cient and Learned Phyliciun in Exe/er, informs me, that he was born in Southgate jlreet in Exeter, Anno 1550. His Countrey (as Mr. Cambdcn obfervesj is indeed /erax inge- niorum, ^Tcgnrnt with good ivits, and great ffirits , netefjitated to induftry, by the na- tive tenftityoi the foil : addifted to Piety and Vertuc, as having nb great leifure lor iKxury ; much encouraged to all ingenious Arts and Studies, by the health and long life they enjoy : But of what Parents, or with what pefages of his future Emi- nency, there is not any notice to be had, although ] have made diligent enquiry ' % upon the places Where the name is not yet extind ; One of his Uncles, Mr. John Hooker, elder Brothfcr to his Father, wzi Chamberlainof Eaeter in Mr. Hookers yoatb and contributed both care and coft toward his Education in the Free-School ac Exeter: His Parents of no fiirther note, then that they lived contentedly, did all things (r.mmendjbly^ and departed this life comfortably, enjoying comfetency^vilth in- duftry and piety, and dying in peace, as they lived without envy ; needing no other renown or Monument of honor and happiiiefs, then this, that they were the bleflcd Parents of fo worthy a Son. So that his Originals, like that oi Kilns , ar« left obfcure ; but as the noble-' nefs of that River recomfenceth in its ftreanis and exuberancy, the obfcttrity of its Foun- tains j foitis inthis illitflrious Perfon^ what he feems to want in the honor of hifi Birth and Progeny, is made up in that of his Life and Labors. God oft raifetii as noble Plants out of fmallbeds, as out of tbeljiateliejl Gardens : Literate and pious Nobility^ may be as honorable upon the account of the publique good , and grace, as that of Blood and Parentage, which isthen tnoft to be efteemed, when it is the leart excellency of him that hath it. Nor do 1 hear of any Ajirological calculations made from the ftars at his Nativity ' the ufuai cheats and flatteries of vain men : But yet we have fuch Iheological demand ^rations in hislifc, of his rjre worthy and gracious endowments ('whofe inclinations come from an higher and better influence then the liars'^) that we may conclude hiw -.. to have been born, not one\y vi'ith happy and propitious jiars, but by the fpcdal Pro- perofhis'bo- videficeof the God of Heaven, v/ho furnilhed him, by^ the wiwijtrdtiuw of Elementary dy and mind, principles, or fecond caufes, with fuch a temper of body and minde, as were rare- ly fitted to each other, and both to thofe gre^t defigns for which the wife God in- tended him ; to whofe Omnipotent goodnefs , all things are equally eafie ; And however, he can work effeftualiy by weak means, zndttnprobahle injlrumtnts, when he is pleafcd to exert his mighty arm in extraordinary operations, or fpecial inspi- rations, by which he made Prophets of Shephcards , and Apoftles of Fijliermen j(that mankinde might fomctimes look up to the frji caufe of caufes , who is in and above all fecond caufes ; J yet in the ufual methods of his Providence, this ((i44ja< JVjcuBffotJ thisgredt fKorJ^r gives Kk tools thdittemper innanire, for conlHtution of body, and difpofition of minde, which is mofl proportionable to the work they are to do^ as we fee in (JMofes , Aaron ^ Jofhua ^ Ssmpfon, Samuel, Eliah ^ and others* It is oft feen, that mens fouls do (male habitare) lodge inconveniently ; bodily xiicfymbo, indifpofnions or preponderancies of conjiitution , being great allays and impediments Jizing of to the operations and improvements of their fouls, either by the weaknefs o/or- fouls and ][»•- gans. Or by the redundancy ofindigefled, dull, and phlegmatick humors , or by the in. dling, difeafed, impotent^ and indifpofed tempers of body and minde, to the diftem- pers and debaucheries of their Progenitors^ who have more care and caution for the breed of their horfes and hounds, thenof their children (whofc health commonly foU lows the honejiy and febriety of their parents, zs plenty doth peace zndindadry J) Nor arc any injuries lefs reparable, then thofe that are thus jewing/ and connate witbi our very Genitures (as bricks ill tempered, and worfe burnt in the clay, are never good in the iMi/rgn>»iHTis bfivis tft $t9i fSf rarafeni^lusy Afr.RlCHARD HoOKtR, which Cardan foretold o( our Edrvard the [i'nch: Thofe whofe bodies are too weak or tooftrait, oi too heavy for their fouls, are not long lived ^ nor much at eafe while they live, which makes them fooa v/tary of Vifct and covetous of death zs their onely freedom from that captivity, in which their inSrm amd decayed bodies de- tain their tobler J'ohIs. or As thejirings of Ur. Hooksrs temper or conftitution were true and well tuned, HisEquabfe fct to an happy harnunj between his foul and body ; Co did they always carry a' converfation grave and fobcr accord, or unifinem his converfation (Uif Stfyui^^eyv, iS'iv ■Jeymlii, as Marcus AureHuf advifeth:^ nothing was fudden , raft , violent, precipitant ex- travagant, in his words, geitures, undertaking or aftions ; What he thought vvith- in his duty, reach , and capacity , that he deligned ; and what he fo deh^ned, he induftrioully and ctFeftually afted, with due deliberation, diligence, conjlancy and modejiy : Never vapoHri?ig or vexing, without any affeftation or ollentation, always even U home compofed^ w rapt up in himfelf^ andiatiie, feldom ernw^, and therefore (eldom repenting. His words, which are the pulfeof the rational foul, were always fobec, fieddy, Hiswordsor apt , well-chofen, and well-ordered, not more in number then weight, if in a feri^ Affability. eusdlfciiurfe--, nor beyond civility and SanCtity, ifremifs or joc'ife, which he rather not hated, then nuich loved : So far from being prodigal of (pcech (as fome are whofe minder are always not onely fet a broach, but running out at the tap of their tongues} that he was rather pa/fimonious , and j'earce liberal , unlefs he were well acquainted : He laid but little of his finer tvare on thejhopboard^ or fially as thofe do, whofe ftock of wit or ;^«3»'/e(^ge, like a Te^/jrj- pack, isprefcntly open, and falls un- der one view i but as thofe tliat deal by tvhole-fzle in rich commodities, he kept his treafure (hut up, and under /(;c;^and key , in a large, but retired warehoufe : He was like in hive full of honey, of a plainoutlide, and aw^rran'<»ccc/>or erijice; hut heavy^ as having in him all manner of gw^/ Literature , a that hath the qttintefcence of all vegetable or flmd frpeetnefs , induftrioufly gatnered, and aptly digefted, \ ery fveeety and very fluent^ when he lift to give it vent. His Friends or Cc»/ireachers, and preproptrousJf^riters, to be\\\^e prodigal young preach. Gallants , newly come to t^eir ejiatcs , who fancy they have nothing more to get, D Or ,0 The Life and T>eath of or to fave, but all the cart iSy tofindi ways to fftni faft enough : hence , like hoi mettall'd borfes , they foon tire, or founder by their too great aftivity and confi- dtnce at their firft fctting out 5 nothing J/)«/iag a good Scholar, and making a bad Preacher, fo muchas over-hafty f reaching^ and impatient fcrihkldng. As good husbandry is the foundation of bofpitality, and thrift the fcwel ofmagnificeiice, in domelbck and Civil affairs : foin tHttlUdud ; neither ^e/i/ nor mindes will be fruitful, unlefbChey have goodmamrey and due tillage, before thecrop beexpefted. :.rt.t;3 ..,•»• ■ J While Mr. Hooker continued in Corpus Chrijii Colledgi^ few men of any note in ^r "^^the either Univerfity, butpromifed more then he did, as to any great and publique CoUdqe- undertaking : Not chat he wanted a publique fpirit , or excellent abilities in Na- ture and Education j but he was lb locked up and referved by a .natural modefty, zndfelf' deficiency or diftruft, that he feemedto think it reirjri/fufticient to have the confcience of well-doing ; and />/ejJKre enough, to fee himfelfdaily profit in liisftu- dics i and preferment even to an envy, to enjoy vertue, though never fo cloilterecl and confined to his own breaft : And although his face, as to the inward man, and as to his life Ihined with all fplendor of Gifts and Graces, yet he chofe as Mofes^ to put a vail on himfelf, left he Ihould lofe the true glory of it , by feeming in the leaft kindctogloryinic His obfiu- Neither his great dimcniions nor dcferts did yet appear in their true luftre ; but as rino of him- the 5«»ina mifty morn, he was clouded, tiilalmojinoon^ before he brake through felf a long thofe native obfcurities^ for which the after brightnefs and heat of his day made s great time. amends. Nothing is mure in'pdicious then to pafs hajiy )Mdgementy or to take up mean prejudices againft men of good breeding, ingenuity and indultry, before they come to their pnof: Men of »w3^c/f and '"f/o'i'eS tempers, like the more lafting fruit, ripen later then others feem to do ; but they are more folid, fapid and lalUng , as good liquor, which conceives greater fpirics, by being long thfe bottled \i^ , and flopped. Men of exce^ent Naturals, may as BrK«»/ the younger, feem very dull and grosGarzons while they are yoiuig, who afterward prove very eminent in all true worth, even beyond what was expeftable from them : As did this wortiby, but wjry Scholar, who wasnotfo aftive and forward as many othersof his time, hvAltfsidh in his ff/erz/e/, then moft men are in Jhip, or the confines of a ch.imber, which is to put that Light finder a bujl:>el, which is fit to be fet on the table, or on an hill, to blefs Parilhes, Towns, Cities, and whole Countreys. Many wife men have oft deplored the detriment tlnthefih Church ^nd State, by the Scholars not timely imploying and improving to the publique good. Scholars oi' excellent when ripe, abiliiies, well bred up in the Univerlities, but notfo foon or happily tranfplanted ^'f^J^^^^^'^^J; as were meet. Which dcfeft feems to arife from a tivofold caufe : P^-^y^^ y-^__ I. Many ingenious and learned men {nfferthemCeUesQsiSthokthat have the fcurvy) ^prfities. by degrees fo to be pleafedwitha fcdentary way of life, that they contraft , if not jwohin- a lazinefs, yet a great indifpolition and loathnefsto come abroad, being fo in love drancesof with fpecnlation, that they abhor aUion ; and being now wedded to their own con- J^'lJi^g^j^^J" tent anJeafe, they grow divorced from the main ends of their fiudies, Gods giory, P andthe publiquegood, thinking it enough to be ever n?/;e«i«g the fnhe, but never i^xoogreac mowing; coUeaingm^tez-ia/j and contriving, but never bnilding : As if it were fuf- delight 'in ficicnt to commend a richpeice of fcarlet, that dwells long in the dye-ftt m order to fpeculation imb\b^ mble tinBure, but is never to be put on thet«i«We, or worn in garments : andeafe. VJhkhbackroardnefs and barrennefs is indeed to defeat, not onely the good intenti- ons of the Founders, and the expeftations e f their friends biU to fmiiber and Jiifik th5u- 12 The Life andVeatb of their own more capacious fouls ; which like vtS^lt fiU'd with generous "ifint , arc therefors filled, as Chrift commanded the wtfterpatx to be at the marriage,that thence f hey may draw forth and fatishe others more then themfelves, that like the Vine, Olive and Fig-tret in Jothuns Parable , they may chear and honour both God and men. Improve- riie'it comes lue-'i. ^uiiito aiveHy 11 nCHlC well lliai w mtu ut twin j iiiuuitijr by feafonablc r^- ^^ proficiency is the/ir/l reTvard of induftry offisT- Scholars grow rt/fiz/ei from re/ibe they become av bilines, Tlic feeond caufc of Scholars non-im- prorcmcnt want of pre- ferment Doubtleftfrom fit imployment comes daily improvement, and to him that hatbjhall be if he ufc well that which he hath ; induftry being the frice and meafure of f ro- From toolong refervednefs good verfe ; from averfion they contraft an enmity' to aftivity •, and thence an abhorrcncy of any thing that puts them upon more pttblique pains, or ufefiil operations : At length iilently and infeniibly palling the Meridianoflife y tht Jhadorvs of the evening grow upon them, they feel or fancy thofe infirmities which nuift be now their Apology for their future lilence : At laft (as the M(7»iy of old) they are as loth to leave their fells as to put off their skins ^ like Birds ov Squirrils bred in a Cage, they knownot how to Ihift for themfelves abroad : In fine, they wrapt themfelves up in their Cynical viVj with J)ioge?ies, grow morofe, tetrical andccnforious, like old and neglefted maids that contemn all marriages, re- folvino to lay th