have, like good sumpters, laid ye down their horseloads of citations and fathers at your door, with a rhapsody of who and who were bishops here or there, ye may take off their pack-saddles, their day's work is done, and episcopacy, as they think, stoutly vindicated. Let any gentle apprehension, that can distinguish learned pains from unlearned drudgery imagine what pleasure or profoundness can be in this, or what honour to deal against such adversaries. But were it the meanest underservice, if God by His secretary Conscience enjoin it, it were sad for me if I should draw back; for me especially, now when all men offer their aid to help, ease, and lighten the difficult labours of the Church, to whose service, by the intention of my parents and friends, I was destined of a child, and in mine own resolutions.' '

'When Thou hast settled peace in the Church, and righteous judgment in the kingdom, then shall all thy saints address their voices of joy and triumph to Thee, standing on the shore of that Red Sea into which our enemies had almost driven

The Reason of Church Government, vol. ii. p. 475-482.

| PARADISE LOST. ‘A POSSESSION For ever.' 87

us. And he that now for haste snatches up a plain ungarnished present as a thank-offering to Thee, which could not be deferred in regard of Thy so many late deliverances wrought for us one upon another, may then perhaps take up a harp, and sing Thee an elaborate song to generations. In that day it shall no more be said as in scorn, this or that was never held so till this present age, when men have better learnt that the times and seasons pass along under Thy feet to go and come at Thy bidding and as Thou didst dignify our fathers' days with many revelations above all the foregoing ages, since Thou tookest the flesh; so Thou canst vouchsafe to us (though unworthy) as large a portion of Thy Spirit as Thou pleasest: for who shall prejudice Thy all-governing will; seeing the power of Thy grace is not passed away with the primitive times, as fond and faithless men imagine, but Thy kingdom is now at hand, and Thou standing at the door. Come forth out of Thy royal chambers, O Prince of all the kings of the earth! put on the visible robes of Thy imperial majesty ; take up that unlimited sceptre which Thy Almighty Father hath

*G4

bequeathed Thee; for now the voice of Thy Bride calls Thee, and all creatures sigh to be renewed.''

'Then, amidst the hymns and hallelujahs of saints, some one may perhaps be heard offering at high strains, in new and lofty measure, to sing and celebrate Thy divine mercies and marvellous judgments in this land throughout all ages: when Thou, the eternal and shortly expected King, shalt open the clouds to judge the several kingdoms of the world, and shalt put an end to all earthly tyrannies, proclaiming Thy universal and mild monarchy through heaven and earth; where they undoubtedly, that by their labours, counsels, and prayers, have been earnest for the common good of religion and their country, shall clasp inseparable hands with joy and bliss, in overmeasure for ever.'2

'I resolved (of what small moment soever I might be thought) to stand on that side where I

› Animadversions upon the Remonstrant, vol. iii. p. 72. The value of this autobiographical passage consists in its containing a prophetic anticipation of the Paradise Lost, of the millennial reign of Christ on earth, and his own destiny to receive on that august occasion, 'above the inferior orders of the blessed,' some super-eminent honour and reward. The same value attaches to the next passage, which is taken from the Treatise of Reformation.

2 Of Reformation in England, vol. ii. p. 418.

OFFERING AT HIGH STRAINS.

89

saw both the plain authority of Scripture leading, and the reason of justice and equity persuading, and defend a good cause earnestly. Wherein although I have not doubted to single forth more than once such of them as were thought the chief; if I have done well, or that it be lawful to attribute somewhat to gifts of God's imparting, which I boast not, but thankfully acknowledge, and fear also lest, at my certain account, they be reckoned to me rather many than few; or if lastly it be but justice not to defraud of due esteem the wearisome labours and studious watchings, wherein I have spent and tired out almost a whole youth, I shall not distrust to be acquitted of presumption. However, now against the rancour of an evil tongue, from which I never thought so absurdly, as that I of all men should be exempt, I must be forced to proceed from the unfeigned and diligent inquiry of my own conscience at home (for better way I know not, readers), to give a more true account of myself abroad, than this modest Confuter, as he

calls himself, hath given of me.

Albeit, that in

doing this I shall be sensible of two things which to me will be nothing pleasant; the one is, that not

unlikely I shall be thought too much a party in mine own cause, and therein to see least; the other, that I shall be put unwillingly to molest the public view with the vindication of a private name; as if it were worth the while that the people should care whether such a one were thus, or thus. Yet those I entreat who have found the leisure to read that name, however of small repute, unworthily defamed, would be so good and so patient as to hear the same person not unneedfully defended.

'I will not deny but that the best apology against false accusers is silence and sufferance, and honest deeds set against dishonest words. And that I could at this time most easily and securely use no other defence, I need not despair to win belief; whether I consider both the foolish contriving and ridiculous aiming of these his slanderous bolts, shot so wide of any suspicion to be fastened on me, that I have oft with inward contentment perceived my friends congratulating themselves in my innocence, and my enemies ashamed of their partner's folly; or whether I look at these present times, wherein most men, now scarce permitted the liberty to think over their own concernments,