your danger, by that which I just now received: and though the general persecution re-inforce, yet it is your particular which most concerns me, in this sad catalysis and declension of piety to which we are reduced. But, Sir, what is now to be done that the stars of our once bright hemisphere are everywhere falling from their orbs? I remember where you have said it was the harbinger of the great day: and a very sober and learned person, my worthy friend, the great Oughtred,' did the other day seriously persuade me parare in occursum, and will needs have the following years productive of wonderful and universal changes. What to say of that I know not; but certain it is, we are brought to a sad condition. I speak concerning secular yet religious persons; whose glory it will only be to lie buried in your ruins, a monument too illustrious for such as I am. For my part, I have learned from your excellent assistances, to humble myself, and to adore the inscrutable paths of the Most High. God and his truth are still the same, though the foundations of the world be shaken. Julianus Redivivus can shut the schools indeed and the temples; but he cannot hinder our private intercourses and devotions, where the breast is the chapel, and our heart is the altar. Obedience founded in the understanding will be the only cure and retreat. God will accept what remains, and supply what is necessary. He is not obliged to externals; the purest ages passed under the cruellest persecutions; it is sometimes necessary; and this, and the fulfilling of prophecy, are all instruments of great advantage (even whilst they press, and are incumbent) to those who can make a sanctified use of them. But, as the thoughts of many hearts will be discovered, and multitudes scandalized; so are there divers well-disposed persons who will not know how to guide themselves, unless some such good men as you discover the secret, and instruct them how they may secure their greatest interest, and steer their course in this dark and uncomfortable weather. Some such discourse would be highly seasonable, now that the daily sacrifice is ceasing, that all the exercise of your functions is made criminal, and 2 William Oughtred, Rector of Albury, author of the "Clavis Mathematica," and other works, and the best geometrician of his time. that the light of Israel is quenched. Where shall we now receive the viaticum with safety? How shall we be baptized? For to this pass it is come, Sir. The comfort is, the Captivity had no temple, no altar, no king. But did they not observe the passover, nor circumcise? Had they no priests and prophets amongst them? Many are weak in the faith, and know not how to answer, nor whither to fly and if upon the apotheosis of that excellent person, under a malicious representation of his martyrdom, engraven in copper, and sent me by a friend from Brussels, the jesuit could so bitterly sarcasm upon the emblem : Projicis inventum caput, Anglia (Angla ?) Ecclesia! cresum how think you will they now insult, ravage, and break in upon the flock; for the shepherds are smitten, and the sheep must of necessity be scattered, unless the great Shepherd of Souls oppose, or some of his delegates reduce and direct us. Dear Sir, we are now preparing to take our last farewell (as they threaten) of God's service in this City, or any where else in public. I must confess it is a sad consideration; but it is what God sees best, and to what we must submit. The comfort is, Deus providebit. Sir, I have not yet been so happy as to see those papers which Mr. Royston tells me are printing, but I greatly rejoice that you have so happily fortified that battery; and I doubt not but you will maintain the siege: for you must not be discouraged for the passions of a few. Reason is reason to me wherever I find it, much more where it conduces to a design so salutary and necessary. At least, I wonder that those who are not convinced by your arguments, can possibly resist your charity and your modesty; but as you have greatly subdued my education in that particular, and controversy, so am I coufident time will render you many more proselytes. And if all do not come so freely in with 1 Richard Royston was bookseller to three kings, and lived at the Angel in Ivy-lane. He held a patent for printing all the works of King Charles I., and became Master of the Stationers' Company in 1678 and 1674. He died in 1686, in the 86th year of his age, and was buried in the south aisle of Christ Church, Newgate-street. their suffrages at first, you must with your accustomed patience attend the event. Sir, I beseech God to conduct all your labours, those of religion to others, and of love and affection to me, who remain, Sir, your, &c. DEAR SIR, Jeremy Taylor to John Evelyn. St. Paul's Convers: [25 Jan.] (1655-6). I perceive by your symptoms, how the spirits of pious men are affected in this sad catalysis: it is an evil time, and we ought not to hold our peace: but now the question is, who shall speak? Yet I am highly persuaded, that, to good men and wise, a persecution is nothing but changing the circumstances of religion, and the manner of the forms and appendages of divine worship. Public or private is all one: the first hath the advantage of society, the second of love. There is a warmth and light in that, there is heat and zeal in this: and if every person that can, will but consider concerning the essentials of religion, and retain them severely, and immure them as well as he can with the same or equivalent ceremonies, I know no difference in the thing, but that he shall have the exercise, and consequently the reward, of other graces, for which, if he lives and dies in prosperous days, he shall never be crowned. But the evils are, that some will be tempted to quit their present religion, and some to take a worse, and some to take none at all. It is true and a sad story; but oportet esse hæreses, for so they that are faithful shall be known: and I am sure that He who hath promised to bring good out of evil, and that all things shall co-operate to the good of them that fear God, will verify it concerning persecution. But concerning a discourse upon the present state of things in relation to souls and our present duty, I agree with you, that it is very fit it were done,' but yet, by somebody who is in London and sees the personal necessities and circumstances of pious people: It is somewhat curious that Taylor should have forgotton the fact of his having already, five years before the date of this letter, done what he is here so anxious to see again attempted. See the Preface (or Epistle Dedicatory to Lord Carbery) in the Holy Living. yet 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 1 "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." * 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, Your most affectionate friend and for me. Minister in the Lord Jesus, JER. TAYLOR. Jeremy Taylor to John Evelyn. HONOURED AND DEAR SIR, 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. |