lived, was now effected by the severity of his last will; so that, it was now too late for him to change, in hopes of an estate that was gone from him. But his brother, observing the reality of the change, resolved within himself what to do: so, he called him, with many of his friends, together, to a feast; and, after other dishes had been served up to the dinner, he ordered one that was covered, to be set before his brother, and desired him to uncover it; which he doing, the company was surprised to find it full of writings. So he told them, that he was now to do, what he was sure his father would have done, if he had lived to see that happy change, which they now all saw in his brother: and, therefore, he freely restored to him the whole estate. This is so great an instance of a generous and just disposition, that I hope the reader will easily pardon this digression; and that the rather, since that worthy serjeant was so instrumental in the happy change, that followed in the course of Mr. Hale's life.

Yet he did not, at first, break off from keeping too much company, with some vain people, till a sad accident drove him from it; for he, with some other young students, being invited to be merry out of town, one of the company called for so much wine, that, notwithstanding all that Mr. Hale could do to prevent it, he went on in his excess, till he fell down as dead before them; so that all that were present were not a little affrighted at it, who did what they could, to bring him to himself again. This did particularly affect Mr. Hale; who, there. upon, went into another room, and shutting the door, fell on his knees, and prayed earnestly to God,

both for his friend, that he might be restored to life again; and that himself might be forgiven, for giving such countenance to so much excess: and he vowed to God, that he would never again keep company in that manner, nor drink a health while he lived. His friend recovered; and he most religiously observed his vow, till his dying day. And, though he was afterwards pressed to drink healths, particularly the king's, which was set up by too many, as a distinguishing mark of loyalty, and drew many into great excess, after his majesty's happy restoration; yet he would never dispense with his vow, though he was sometimes roughly treated for this, which some hot and indiscreet men called obstinacy.*

This wrought an entire change on him. Now, he forsook all vain company; and divided himself, between the duties of religion, and the studies of his profession. In the former, he was so regular, that for six and thirty years' time, he never once failed going to church, on the Lord's day. This

Be not too slow, in the breaking of a sinfull custome; a quick, couragious resolution is better than a graduall deliberation in such a combate, he is the bravest souldier, that layes about him, without fear or wit. Wit pleades; fear disheartens; he that would kill Hydra, had better strike off one neck, than five heads: fell the tree, and the branches are soone cut off.' -Quarles. Enchiridion.

I have, by long and sound experience, found, that the due observance of this day, and of the duties of it, has been of great advantage to me. God Almighty is the Lord of our time, and lends it to us: and, as it is but just we should consecrate this part of that time to him, so I have found, by a strict and diligent observation, that a due observance of this day, hath ever had joined to it, a blessing upon the rest of my time; and the week that hath been so begun, hath been blessed and prosperous to me. And, on the other side, when I have been negligent of this day, the rest of the week has been unhappy, and unsuccessful to my own secular employments: so that, I could easily make an estimate of my successes, in my own secular employments of the week following, by the manner of my passing this day.

observation he made, when an ague first interrupted that constant course: and he reflected on it, as an acknowledgment of God's great goodness to him, in so long a continuance of his health.

He took a strict account of his time:* of which

And this I do not write lightly or inconsiderately, but upon a long, and sound, observation and experience.”—Sir M. Hale. Works, i. 196. See also, ii. 244. 'The Sunday before his [Mr. Herbert's] death, he rose suddenly from his bed, or couch, called for one of his instruments, took it into his hand, and said, . .

My God, my God,

My music shall find thee,

And every string

Shall have its attributes to sing.

And, having tuned it, he played and sung: ..

The Sundays of man's life,

Threaded together on time's string,
Make bracelets to adorn the wife
Of the eternal, glorious King:
On Sundays, heaven's door stands ope,
Blessings are plentiful and rife,

More plentiful than hope.'

Life of George Herbert, by Walton.

'Having mentioned,' says Mr. Coleridge, the name of Herbert, that model of a man, a gentleman, and a clergyman, let me add, that the quaintness of some of his thoughts, (not the diction, than which nothing can be more pure, manly, and unaffected,) has blinded modern readers to the great general merit of his poems; which are, for the most part, exquisite in their kind.”—THE FRIEND, i. 67.

Since the date of Mr. Coleridge's publication, (1817.) I am happy to believe, that, in spite of much false, and fastidious taste, a better spirit has been gaining ground. The almost unexampled popularity of the 'Christian Year,' and 'The Rectory of Valehead,' both, unquestionably, breathing the pure spirit of the 'olden time,' is no unfavourable prognostic of better times to come.

* How strict, may be best judged, by a careful perusal of his admirable treatise on the Redemption of Time.' One extract, I cannot forbear making:

'Whatever you do, be very careful to retain in your heart a habit of religion, that may be always about you, and keep your heart, and your life, always as in His presence, and tending towards HIM. This will be cortinually with you, and put itself into acts, even although you are not in a solemn posture of religious worship; and will lend you multitudes of religicus applications to Almighty God, upon all occasions and interventions;

the reader will best judge by the scheme he drew for a diary, which I shall insert, copied from the original; but I am not certain when he made it. It is set down, in the same simplicity in which he writ it for his own private use: .

MORNING.

I. To lift up the heart to God, in thankfulness, for renewing my life.

II. To renew my covenant with God, in Christ.

1. By renewed acts of faith receiving Christ, and rejoicing in the height of that relation. 2. Resolution of being one of his people, doing him allegiance.

III. Adoration and prayer.

IV. Setting a watch over my own infirmities and

which will not at all hinder you, in your secular occasions, but better and further you. It will make you faithful in your calling, even on account of an actual reflection of your mind, upon the presence and command of the God, whom you both fear and love. It will make you thankful, for all successes and supplies; temperate and sober, in all your natural actions; just and faithful, in all your dealings; patient and contented, in all your dis appointments and crosses; and actually consider and intend his honour, in all that you do; and it will give a tincture of devotion to all your secular employments, and turn these actions which are materially civil and natural, into the very true nature of religion, and make your whole life, an uninterrupted life, of religion and duty to God. For, this habit of piety in your soul, will, not only not lie sleeping and inactive, but, almost in every hour of the day, will put forth exertings of itself, in short occasional prayers, thanksgivings, dependence, and resort, unto that God, who is always near you, and lodgeth, in a manner, in your heart, by his fear, and love, and habitual religion towards him. By this means, you do, effectually, and in the best and readiest manner imaginable, redeem your time. This is the great art of christian chymistry: whereby, the whole course of this life be

service to Almighty God, an uninterrupted state of religion, the moblest, and most universal REDEMPTION OF TIME.'-Hale's

14.

passions, over the snares laid in our way. Perimus licitis.*

DAY EMPLOYMENT.

There must be an employment, two kinds. I. Our ordinary calling, to serve God in it. It is a service to Christ, though never so mean. Coloss. iii. Here faithfulness, diligence, cheerfulness. Not to overlay myself, with more business than I can bear.

II. Our spiritual employments; mingle somewhat of God's immediate service in this day.

Refreshments.

I. Meat and drink; moderation, seasoned with somewhat of God.

II. Recreations. 1. Not our business. 2. Suitable. No games, if given to covetousness or passion.

If alone.

I. Beware of wandering, vain, lustful thoughts; fly from thyself, rather than entertain these. II. Let thy solitary thoughts be profitable: view

the evidences of thy salvation; the state of thy soul; the coming of Christ; thy own mortality;.. it will make thee humble and watchful.

I have still chosen, rather to forbear what might be probably lawful, than to do that which might be possibly unlawful: because, I could not err in the former; I might, in the latter. If things were disputable, whether they might be done, I rather chose to forbear; because the lawfulness of my forbearance was unquestionable.'- Hale's Works, ii. 262.