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in his own prosperity, to the ingenious expedient then suggested to him,― an application to "any other friend that had too full a purse." From the contents of Farindon's will it is reasonable to conclude that before his death he had repaid to Hales's executors all the moneys which at various times he had borrowed; for in it he makes no mention of his being in debt to any one, and leaves more than seven hundred pounds to his children, obviously part of the profits from the sale of his first volume of Sermons. Enough has now been adduced to prove the authenticity and verisimilitude of the account of Farindon's interview with his aged friend.

7. The accuracy of Anthony Wood's statement respecting the sale of Hales's library is placed beyond dispute, and can never be called in question.* The evidence in favour of its truth is peculiarly strong. The purchase of this library either suggested to Cornelius Bee and his literary friends the idea of his Critici Sacri, in nine folio volumes; or he bought it for the express purpose of employing a portion of it in the publication of that important work; and it was a collection so unique and complete as to leave nothing further to be desired. Some of Farindon's and Hales's personal friends, and among them Dr. Anthony Scattergood and Dr. John Pearson, were engaged in the laborious direction and supervision of that immense undertaking; which was published in 1660, the paper for it having been imported free of duty, by the special favour of Oliver Cromwell, who on that occasion, as well as previously, showed himself to be the patron and protector of biblical literature. Some of those friends survived the publication of the first edition of the Athene Oxonienses in 1691; but though they lived long enough to correct one or two trivial inaccuracies into which Wood had fallen respecting Hales, they left the narrative of the sale of his library uncontradicted. They had, in the performance of a great duty, handled many of those books, and perused their contents: their silence, therefore, on this point renders them unexceptionable witnesses.

8. These gentlemen have in their haste forgotten, that, thirty-two years Lefore the publication of Wood's Athenæ Oxonienses, Hales's particular friend, Dr. John Pearson, afterwards Bishop of Chester, had made a stronger declaration on this subject than either Wood or Walker. In the preface to the "Golden Remains," first published in 1659, only three years after Hales's death, Pearson writes: "He was beyond all example charitable, giving unto all, preserving nothing but his books to continue his learning and himself; which when he had before digested, he was forced at last to feed upon; at the same time the happiest and most unfortunate helluo of books, the grand example of learning and of the envy and contempt which followeth it." These witty and enigmatical expressions were understood, by Pearson's contemporaries, to convey the information, that Hales's necessities compelled him to sell his library to procure for himself the means of subsistence. After his ejectment from Eton College," he preserved nothing but his books to continue his learning and [to continue] himself [in being]; which [books] when he had before [in his prosperous days] digested, he was forced at last [after his ejectment] to feed upon; [being] at the same time the happiest devourer' of books [in having previously read them] and the most unfortunate [in being forced to part with them for self-support]." The man who can extract any other signification than this, from the preceding figurative, yet intelligible, language, must be regarded as a most recondite genius!

* See page 869.

In conclusion: It is surprising that so much should have been written on an eminent scholar having, in those troublous times, obtained seven hundred pounds by the sale of "the best part of his most admirable library." Happy was it for Hales, and happy for those whom he caused to be sharers in his joy, that till 1652 he had retained such a treasure in his possession. His case was one of the rare exceptions in practice from the general rule; for, in the absence of plate or money, even the common soldiers in both armies had acquired sufficient discernment to appreciate the worth of good books, which were eagerly seized as lawful plunder. Of those learned men who, before the commencement of hostilities, had amassed large libraries, few indeed were permitted peaceably to enjoy their contents. The Rev. John Trapp, A.M., on the side of the Republicans, and the Rev. Thomas Fuller, D.D., on that of the Royalists, may stand as fair specimens of this suffering genus: yet both of them managed, amidst the horrid dissonance of war, to digest what they had previously read, and to publish some useful works without the aid of their own collections.

XI.-FIRST VOLUME OF FARINDON'S SERMONS. HIS SICKNESS AND DEATH. HIS LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT. HIS FAMILY. THE PUBLICATION OF THE SECOND AND THIRD VOLUMES OF HIS SERMONS.

THE death of Hales seems to have exerted a salutary influence on his surviving friend, and conquered his natural diffidence in appearing before the world as an author. Overcome by the importunity of his patrons, who urged him to leave to posterity some proofs of his extraordinary powers, and at the same time to provide for the wants of his family after his demise, Farindon was at length induced to lay aside all reluctance, and to prepare for the press a folio volume of his Sermons. The title-page bears the date of MDCXLVII., which is evidently a misprint for MDCLVII.; for the dedication is dated April 20th, 1657; and the last Sermon in the volume was "preached at the funeral" of Sir George Whitmore, "who departed this life December 12th, 1654." That it should have been published in the year 1647, is therefore impossible; yet the erroneous date has been copied without remark by Anthony Wood, and several other writers. This volume is dedicated "to the Right Worshipful and much-honoured John Robinson, Esq., Alderman of the city of London; " to whose friendly efforts the author had been mainly indebted for his appointment to the church of Milk-street.* In his very handsome address, speaking of the Sermons, Farindon says, "I conceived that though they could speak but little for themselves, yet they might for me, (who dare not do so much for them,) and at least be as a witness or manifesto of my deep apprehension of your many noble favours, and great charity, to me and mine, when the sharpness of the weather, and the roughness of the times, had blown all from us, and well-near left us naked. And to this end, with all the heartiness and height of thankfulness, I here present them, and humbly put them into your hands, that when you turn them over, you may read something besides my imperfections, even that truth which will make you happy, and with it my gratitude." "I thank God, I understand a benefit, and can behold it in all its circumstances; and to me it appears fresher and fairer every day, putting me in mind from whence it came, and by what hands it was conveyed; and it fills me with prayers, and praises, and gratulations;

* See page 749.

and I bless God, and cry, Grace, grace, unto the hand and instrument. Worthy Sir, this is the fairest and best return that my poverty can make, and I nothing doubt but you will look upon it as the fairest and best; for this I can make; and by the blessing of God you want no other. I see myself deeply obliged to you, and by your favour to many other noble and religious gentlemen; and I have but the same payment for all, which I will ever pay, (for a thankful man is always in debt,) even to my last payment, when I shall render up my soul to God that gave it."

The concluding paragraph of the preface contains an intimation that the author's ministry had been suspended; but he speaks of it as a thing that was then past. Having stated that many of his contemporaries had departed from the simple doctrines of Christianity, as they were originally delivered, he describes the spirit in which he first undertook the pastoral oversight of his beloved congregation :-"This I marked and avoided, and in the course of my ministry ran from, as far as a good will, with my weakness, could carry me; and as I struck at those errors which are most common, and did strive to set up in their place those truths which are most necessary, so I did endeavour to do it to the very eye, with all plainness and evidence, and as near as I could in the language of Him who for us men and for our salvation did first publish them to the world. To which end, and to which alone, (next to the glory of God,) these my rude and illpolished papers are consecrate; and if they attain this in many, or few, or but one, I have a most ample recompence for my labour, and praise and dispraise shall be to me both alike."

This volume was well received, and had a rapid sale; the proceeds of which placed Farindon in a state of comparative affluence. After having altered and corrected it throughout, preparatory to a second edition, and while busily engaged in preparing materials for a life of his friend Hales, he seems to have been somewhat suddenly called to his great reward in heaven. Wood says, "He gave way to fate, in his house in Milk-street, in the month of September, 1658, and was buried in the church of St. Mary Magdalene there." This, however, is a mistake: but it has been rectified in a satisfactory manner by Dr. Bliss, in the third volume of his edition of the Athena Oxonienses, in a note under the article Farindon, in which Baker is given as the authority for the following extract from Richard Smith's Obituary :—“ Anno 1658, Oct. 9, Mr. Farindon, Preacher in Milkstreet, died in the country; a famous Preacher." This is correct both in regard of place and time: for he seems to have died either at Sunning-hill, or in the adjacent village of Old Windsor; and the four persons in whose presence the two parts of his will were severally indited were resident in the neighbourhood. It was executed on the 6th day of October, when Farindon must have been nearly at the point of death; and was the work of some country practitioner. It contains no appearance of having been written by himself; and consists of two parts, the former being completed in the presence of Powney and Crowe, the other in the presence of Proyer and Brandon; as will be seen by the subjoined copy :—

"MEMORANDUM, the sixth day of October, in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred fifty and eight, that, in the presence of John Powney, of the parish of Old Windsor, in the county of Berks., gent., and Christopher Crowe, of the parish of White Waltham, in the said county of Berks., gent., it was declared, the day and year above written, by Anthony Farindon, Bachelor of Divinity, being, on the day of the date of these presents, weak in body, yet of perfect memory, that, if it should please God

to take him out of this transitory world, that his goods and personal estate should be disposed as followeth :—

"Imprimis: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Farindon two hundred pounds in money, and the bed and furniture which her mother wrought, and fifteen pounds which is in adventure by sea.

"Item: I give and bequeath one hundred pounds a-piece to each of the rest of my children, and the residue of my goods to be equally divided amongst them; which hundred pounds a-piece mentioned as above-said, so given and bequeathed, is to be paid in manner and form as followeth :"First: I give unto my daughter Anne one hundred pounds; which is to be paid, namely, fifty pounds when she cometh out of the time of her apprenticeship, and the other fifty pounds on the day of her marriage, or at the age of one-and-twenty years, or which shall first happen.

"Item: I give unto Anthony and Charles Farindon, my sons, one hundred pounds a-piece to each of them, to be paid, namely, fifty pounds a-piece for the binding of them as apprentices, and the other fifty pounds a-piece to each of them when they come out of their times of apprenticeship.

"Item: I give unto my daughter Margaret, now resident with the honoured lady, the Lady Sydney, one hundred pounds, to be left in the said lady's hands, when she cometh to the age of one-and-twenty years, or on the day of her marriage, or which shall first happen.

"Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Merioll one hundred pounds, to be paid unto her when she cometh to the age of sixteen years.

"And it is my will and pleasure that the interest of the five hundred pounds given to the said Anne, Anthony, Charles, Margaret, (now resident with the Lady Sydney,) and my daughter Merioll, should be received by my daughter Elizabeth, for the maintenance and education of the said Anthony, Charles, and Merioll; and that the principal of the said sum of five hundred pounds be secured to the five younger children.

"It is further declared, in the presence of James Proyer, Esq., and Charles Brandon, that in case any of the aforesaid younger children do happen to die before the time limited for the receiving his or her said portion, that then it be divided equally among the survivers: Also, if all the younger children should die, then the estate to come wholly to my daughter Elizabeth; and if my daughter Elizabeth should happen to die before marriage, then it is equally to be divided among the rest.

"Item: It is further declared, that my daughter Elizabeth, for three years from the time of my death, shall receive the interest of the five hundred pounds, for the education and maintenance of the younger children.

"Item: I appoint my loving friends, John Millington, of Hitcham, Esquire, and John Powney, of Old Windsor, Gentleman, to be my executors of this my last will and testament; but I require not that they, or either of them, shall be answerable for any more than they receive.

"Also I appoint John Middleton, of London, Clerk, and John Dolvin, of Oxford, Gent., the overseers of this my last will and testament. "ANTHONY FARINDON.

"Signed and sealed in the presence of

"JAMES PROYER,

"CHARLES BRANDON.

"This will was proved at London, the twelfth day of November, in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred fifty and eight, before the Judges for probate of wills and granting administrations, lawfully authorized by the oath of John Millington, Esq., and John Powney, Gent., joint

VOL. IV.-FOURTH SERIES.

3 U

executors named therein. To whom was granted administration, they being first sworn by commission, well and truly to administer."

No mention of Mrs. Farindon having been made in the will, we may fairly infer that she was then dead. The probability is, that she had died at least a year before her husband; for in the account of his last interview with Hales, when speaking of her in connexion with himself, he calls her "my poor wife;" which, in the expressive style of that age, was a term of endearment usually applied to departed relations. When he and his family were ejected from Bray in 1643, and from Milk-street in 1652, many concomitant circumstances show the likelihood of their having retired to the place of his nativity, or to Old Windsor. On the first of these occasions their chief support was derived from the beneficence of John Hales; and on the second occasion, it is believed, they were indebted for temporary maintenance to the same benevolent hand, till the noble collection of his parishioners in Milk-street had placed them above immediate want, and had made good provision for the future. After this last removal to Sunning-hill or its vicinage, it is probable that Farindon never quitted that residence, on account of the declining state of his wife's health; that after his restoration to the church in Milk-street, in 1654, he repaired to London every Saturday, and returned on the Monday or Tuesday; that both he and his wife died in Berkshire; and that his mortal remains were removed, for honourable interment, to St. Mary Magdalene, Milk-street, which was one of the churches consumed by the great fire of London, in 1666, and never rebuilt.

Of his six children, Elizabeth, who was appointed to perform the part of a mother to her brothers and sisters during their minority, seems to have been much older than the rest; and this would induce the belief that some of the children born in the intervening years had died before their parents. The fact is one which it is peculiarly gratifying to record, that the first edition of the second volume of their father's Sermons, which is now a scarce book, and the second edition of both the volumes, would produce a very large addition to the legacy to which each child was entitled under the will; and there can be no doubt of their having obtained their proper quota of the profits, under the able management of their father's executors and of the highly respectable editor.

66

Five years after the death of Farindon the second folio volume of his Sermons was published, under the sanction of his executors, John Millington and John Powney, and under the editorship of Dr. Anthony Scattergood, who pledges himself that the several discourses are carefully and faithfully set forth." The volume is dedicated to Sir Orlando Bridgman, who has been already mentioned as a benefactor and friend of the author. "This book," say "the author's executors," "cannot fail of noble patronage, when your Lordship is but given to understand that it is an orphan of Mr. Farindon, whose fatherless children have had so comfortable experience of your goodness. And we hope this address will meet with favourable acceptance, since we can assure your Lordship that it is in pursuance of the Reverend author's intention: who hath been often heard to say, that if he lived to publish anything more in print, he would inscribe it to you, as an expression and testimony of that high veneration and gratitude which he owed to that charitable hand which in the late bad times had been a succourer of many of his persecuted brethren, and of himself also." In advising the publication of this additional volume, and in actively promoting its sale, the Right Honourable Baronet did indeed "give Farindon's

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