I was so far persuaded to do it myself, that I had amassed together divers of my papers useful to the work : but my Cases of Conscience call upon me so earnestly, that I found myself not able to bear the cries of a clamorous conference. Sir, I thank you for imparting to me that vile distich of the dear departed saint. I value it as I do the picture of deformity or a devil: the act may be good, and the gift fair, though the thing be intolerable: but I remember, that when the Jesuits, sneering and deriding our calamity, showed this sarcasm to my Lord Lucas, Berkenhead' being present, replied as tartly, "It is true, our Church wants a head now; but if you have charity as you pretend, you can lend us one, for your Church has had two and three at a time." Sir, I know not when I shall be able to come to London: for our being stripped of the little relics of our fortune remaining after the shipwreck, I have not cordage nor sails sufficient to bear me thither. But I hope to be able to commit to the press my first books of Conscience by Easter term; and then, if I be able to get up, I shall be glad to wait upon you: of whose good I am not more solicitous than I am joyful that you so carefully provide for it in your best interest. I shall only give you the same prayer and blessing that St. John gave to Gaius: "Beloved, I wish that you may be in health and prosper: and your soul prospers" for so by the rules of the best rhetoric the greatest affair is put into a parenthesis, and the biggest business into a postscript. Sir, I thank you for the kind expressions at the latter end of your letter; you have never troubled me neither can I pretend to any other return from you but that of your love and prayers. In all things else I do but my duty, and I hope God and you will accept it ; and that by means of His own procurement, He will, some

"I shed a tear when I am told that a brave king was misunderstood, then slandered, then imprisoned, then put to death, by evil men.” -Jeremy Taylor's Treatise on Friendship.

2 John Birkenhead, royalist writer of the "Mercurius Aulicus.”

3 From whatever quarter he obtained the means of his journey, it is certain, however, that Dr. Taylor visited London; for on the 12th of April, 1656, as appears by the Diary, he dined with Evelyn at Sayes Court, in company with Mr. Berkeley, Mr. Robert Boyle, and Dr. Wilkins, and was occupied with them in the discussion and examination of philosophical and mechanical subjects.

way or other (but how, I know not yet) make provisions Sir, I am in all heartiness of affection,

for me.

Your most affectionate friend and

Minister in the Lord Jesus,

Jeremy Taylor to John Evelyn.

HONOURED AND DEAR SIR,

JER. TAYLOR.

April 16, 1656.

I hope my servant brought my apology with him, and that I already am pardoned, or excused in your thoughts, that I did not return an answer yesterday to your friendly letter. Sir, I did believe myself so very much bound to you for your so kind, so friendly reception of me in your Tusculanum, that I had some little wonder upon me when I saw you making excuses that it was no better. Sir, I came to see you and your lady, and am highly pleased that I did so, and found all your circumstances to be an heap and union of blessings. But I have not either so great a fancy and opinion of the prettiness of your abode, or so low an opinion of your prudence and piety, as to think you can be any ways transported with them. I know the pleasure of them is gone off from their height before one month's possession; and that strangers and seldom-seers feel the beauty of them more than you who dwell with them. I am pleased indeed at the order and the cleanness of all your outward things; and look upon you not only as a person, by way of thankfulness to God for His mercies and goodness to you, specially obliged to a greater measure of piety, but also as one who, being freed in great degrees from secular cares and impediments, can without excuse and allay wholly intend what you so passionately desire, the service of God. But, now I am considering yours, and enumerating my own pleasures, I cannot but add that, though I could not choose but be delighted by seeing all about you, yet my delices were really in seeing you severe and unconcerned in these things, and now in finding your affections wholly a stranger to them, and to communicate with them no portion of your passion but such as is necessary to him that uses them or receives their ministries.

Sir, I long truly to converse with you; for I do not doubt but in those liberties we shall both go bettered from each other. For your Lucretius,' I perceive you have suffered the importunity of your too kind friends to prevail with you. I will not say to you that your Lucretius is as far distant from the severity of a Christian, as the fair Ethiopian was from the duty of Bp. Heliodorus; for indeed it is nothing but what may become the labours of a Christian gentleman, those things only abated which our evil age needs not; for which also I hope you either have by notes, or will by preface, prepare a sufficient antidote; but since you are engaged in it, do not neglect to adorn it, and take what care of it, it can require or need; for that neglect will be a reproof of your own act, and look as if you did it with an unsatisfied mind, and then you may make that to be wholly a sin, from which only by prudence and charity you could before be advised to abstain. But, Sir, if you will give me leave, I will impose such a penance upon you for your publication of Lucretius as shall neither displease God nor you; and, since you are busy in that which may minister directly to learning, and indirectly to error or the confidences of men, who of themselves are apt enough to hide their vices in irreligion, I know you will be willing, and will suffer yourself to be entreated, to employ the same pen in the glorifications of God, and the ministries of Eucharist and prayer. Sir, if you have Mr Silhon "De l' Immortalité de l'Ame," I desire you to lend it me for a week, and believe that I am, in great heartiness and dearness of affection,

Dear Sir, your obliged and most affectionate

friend and servant,

John Evelyn to Jeremy Taylor.

J. TAYLOR.

Sayes-Court, 27th April, 1656.

Nothing but an affair very great and of consequence could stay me thus long from rendering you a

1 Evelyn translated, or at least published, only one (the first) book of Lucretius, which was printed in octavo, at London, 1656; with an engraved frontispiece, designed by his accomplished Wife, and engraved by Hollar.

personal acknowledgment for your late kind. visit, and I trouble you with this because I fear I shall not be able to perform that 'till the latter end of the week; but I shall, after this business is over (which concerns an account with a kinsman of mine), importune you with frequent visits, and, I hope, prevail with you that I may have the honour to see you again at my poor villa, when my respects are less diverted, and that I may treat you without ceremony or constraint. For it were fitting you did see how I live when I am by myself, who cannot but pronounce me guilty of many vanities, deprehending me (as you did) at a time when I was to gratify so many curious persons, to whom I had been greatly obliged, and for whom I have much value. I suppose you think me very happy in these outward things; really, I take so little satisfaction in them, that the censure of singularity would no way affright me from embracing an hermitage, if I found that they did in the least distract my thoughts from better things; or that I did not take more pleasure and incomparable felicity in that intercourse which it pleases God to permit me, in vouchsafing so unworthy a person to prostrate himself before Him, and contemplate His goodness. These are indeed gay things, and men esteem me happy. Ego autem, peccatorum sordibus inquinatus, diebus ac noctibus opperior cum timore reddere novissimum quadrantem: Whilst that account is in suspense, who can truly enjoy any thing in this life sine verme? Omnia enim

tuta timeo. My condition is too well; and I do as often wonder at it, as suspect and fear it: and yet I think I am not to do any rash or indiscreet action, to make the world take notice of my singularity; though I do with all my heart wish for more solitude, who was ever most averse from being near a great city, designed against it, and yet it was my fortune to pitch here, more out of necessity, and for the benefit of others, than choice, or the least inclination of my own. But, Sir, I will trouble you no farther with these trifles, though as to my confessor I speak them. There are yet more behind. My Essay upon Lucretius, which I told you was engaged, is now printing, and (as Í understand) near finished: my animadversions upon it will I hope provide against all the ill consequences, and totally acquit me either of glory or impiety. The captive woman

.

was in the old law to have been head-shaven, and her excrescences pared off, before she was brought as a bride to the bed of her lord. I hope I have so done with this author, as far as I have penetrated; and for the rest I shall proceed with caution, and take your counsel. But, Sir, I detain you too long, though with promises to render you a ⚫ better account hereafter, both of my time and my studies, when I shall have begged of you to impose some task upon me, that may be useful to the great design of virtue and a holy life, who am, Sir, your, &c.

DEAR SIR,

Jeremy Taylor to John Evelyn.

July 19th, 1656.

I perceive the greatness of your affections by your diligence to inquire after and to make use of any opportunity which is offered whereby you may oblige me. Truly, Sir, I do continue in my desires to settle about London,1 and am only hindered by my Res augusta domi; but hope in God's goodness that He will create to me such advantage as may make it possible: and, when I am there, I shall expect the daily issues of Divine Providence to make all things else well; because I am much persuaded that, by my abode in your vicinage of London, I may receive advantages of society and books to enable me better to serve God and the interest of souls. I have no other design but it; and I hope God will second it with his blessing. Sir, I desire you to present my thanks and service to Mr. Thurland: his society were argument enough to make me desire a dwelling thereabouts, but his other kindnesses will also make it possible. I would not be troublesome: serviceable I would fain be, useful, and desirable; and I will endeavour it if I come. Sir, I shall, besides what I have already said to you, at present make no other return to Mr. Thurland, till a little thing of mine be public, which is now in Royston's hands, of Original Sin: the evils of which doctrine I have

1 Jeremy Taylor was now living at a small village in Wales, 2 The "Doctrine and Practice of Repentance" was the title given tɔ this admirable Essay when published.