BISHOP PATRICK. THE best attempt at straightforward Scripture exposition in the seventeenth century, was the Paraphrase on the Books of the Old Testament, which this judicious and well-informed scholar lived to carry on as far as the end of the poetical books. Its value is still recognised, and, with Lowth on the Prophecies, and Whitby on the New Testament, it finds a place in the theologian's library as one of the most valuable of English commentaries. Of such a work it is hardly possible to exhibit a sample; but the reader will perhaps accept an extract or two from "The Parable of the Pilgrim,"-a work of considerable popularity in its day, but now nearly forgotten. It appeared some years before Bunyan's "Pilgrim," but they are evidently independent productions; and, for genius and theology, it must be admitted that the Bedford tinker has made the better book. Simon Patrick was born at Gainsborough, in Lincolnshire, September 8, 1626, and studied at Queen's Colleg In 1662 he succeeded Dr Manton, as rector Covent Garden; and here, during the great plag a noble example of pastoral faithfulness and se remaining at his post and ministering to the sic of his brethren fled to the count In 1672 Dean of Peterborough, and from which see he was transl he died, May 31, 1707. The Pilgrim's Desire Much time he spent in const the course which would be best t LONGING FOR JERUSALEM. 419 There was no cost spared, no study omitted to get acquaintance with the nearest way to it; nor did he cease to inquire of those who were reputed the most skilful guides, that he might obtain a true information of every passage in the journey, which he seriously resolved to undertake. For, though the weather was cold, the ways dirty and dangerous, and the journey he was told would be long, and company little or none could be expected to deceive the tediousness of the pilgrimage; yet so great were the ardours which he felt within himself, that he regarded none of these discouragements, but only wished that he might be so happy as to find the right way, though he went alone thither. And that which made his desires the more forward, was, that he had often heard Jerusalem by interpretation was no meaner place than the Vision of Peace-a sight that he had been long pursuing in several forms and shapes, wherein it had often seemed to present itself before him, but could never court it into his embraces. O my beloved (would he often sigh within himself), O my heart's desire! O thou joy of the whole earth! In what corner of it dost thou hide thyself, and liest concealed from our eyes ? Where art thou to be found, O heavenly good? Who will bring me to the clear vision of thy face? Art thou company only for the celestial spirits? Art thou so reserved for the angels' food, that we poor mortals may not presume to ask a taste of thy sweetness? What would not I part withal to purchase a small acquaintance with thee, and to know the Many a weary step est thine abode? en we think to clasp thee hard |