reproaches of others he despised; but frequently wished he had been better understood by the former: he bore it, however, patiently, as his misfortune; never requited them with the like measure; but always mentioned them with respect, and laid hold on all opportunities to oblige and do them good. His conversation was profitable and pleasant; and his discourse was commonly of useful things; without occasioning trouble or weariness in those that conversed with him. He cultivated that most necessary (but too much neglected) part of friendship, to give seasonable reproof, and wholesome advice, upon occasion. This he did with a great deal of freedom; but with so much calmness and prudence, that it seldom gave offence. He was particularly careful of the reputation of his friends; and would suffer no blot to lie upon the good name or memory of any of them, if he could help it. His enemies, who were strangers to moderation themselves, made that virtue in which he excelled, the chief subject of their reproaches, as if he had been a person of unsteady principles, and not fixed in matters of religion; this drew severe censures upon him from archbishop Sheldon, bishop Fell, and archbishop Dolben, &c. without considering that he could not but have a great deal of charity for dissenters, by reason of his education under Mr. John Dod his grandfather, a truly pious and learned man; who dissented in many things from the church of England long before the separation which afterwards followed upon archbishop Laud's severities and new impositions. And as his said grandfather never approved of the extremities on the other side, but continued loyal to the last, and advised others to continue in their allegiance; in like manner Doctor Wilkins, (though he had clearness when the government was dissolved, to submit to the powers then in being, by which he procured an interest and a share in the government of both universities;) was always a friend to those who were loyal, and continued well affected to the church of England, and protected several of them by the interest he had in the then government. After the restoration he conformed himself to the church of England, and stood up for her government and liturgy; but disliked vehemence in little and unnecessary things, and freely censured it as fanatacism on both sides. Having thus conformed to the church himself, he was very willing to bring over others: in which he was not without success, especially in his own 1 diocese; where the extremes on both sides were as remarkable, as in most parts of the nation. Being a person of extensive charity himself, he was for an indulgence and a comprehension, in order to have brought our divisions in matters of religion to a conclusion; which drew upon him the hatred and obloquy of those who were for contrary mea sures. His indefatigable pains in study brought the stone upon him; which proved incurable. He had for many days a prospect of death; which he viewed in its approaches, and gradual advances upon him and a few days before his dissolution, he frequently said, that he found a sentence of death within himself. But in the height of his pain and apprehensions of death, he shewed no dismay or surprise, nor was ever heard to utter a word unbecoming a wise man, or a true christian. And thus he concluded his days with constancy of mind, contempt of the world, and cheerful hopes of a blessed eternity, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. He died in the house of his friend Dr. Tillotson, in Chancery-lane in London, on the 19th of November, 1672; and was buried on the 12th of December following, under the north wall of the chancel of the church of St. Lawrence Jewry, where he had formerly been minister. His funeral sermon was preached by Dr. William Lloyd, then dean of Bangor, (afterward Lord Bishop of Worcester) at the Guildhall chapel in London; by which, those who are curious may be satisfied, that every part of the character here given him, may be justified to advantage. As a further proof of it, and particularly of his unwearied endeavours to promote universal knowledge, it is proper to subjoin a catalogue of his works. The first was entitled, 1. The Discovery of a New World; or, a Discourse tending to prove, that it is probable there may be another habitable World in the Moon. Printed at London, in quarto, 1638, and had four editions, the last in 1684. 2. Discourse concerning the Possibility of a Passage to the World in the Moon. Printed with the Discovery. 3. Discourse concerning a New Planet; tending to prove, that it is probable our Earth is one of the Planets. London, 1640, in octavo. The author's name is put to none of the three; but they were so well known to be his, that Langrenus, in his map of the moon, (dedicated to the king of Spain) calls one of the spots of his selenographic map after his name. 4. Mercury; or, the Secret Messenger: shew*ing how a Man may with Privacy and Speed com municate his Thoughts to his Friend at any Distance. London, 1641. The publication of this was occasioned by the writing of a little thing, called Nuncius Inanimatus, by Francis Goodwin. 5. Mathematical Magic; or, the Wonders that may be performed by Mechanical Geometry. In two books. Printed at London in 1648, and 1680, in octavo. 6. Ecclesiastes; or, A Discourse of the Gift of Preaching, as it falls under the Rules of Art. London, 1646, 1647, 1651, 1653, and 1675, oc tavo. 7. Discourse concerning the Beauty of Providence, in all the rugged Passages of it. London, 1649, in twelves; and in 1677, the fifth edition, in octavo. 8. Discourse concerning the Gift of Prayer; shewing what it is; wherein it consists; and how far it is attainable by Industry, &c. London, 1653, and 1674, octavo. 9. Of the Principles and Duties of Natural Religion. Two books. London, 1675, octavo. Published by John Tillotson, D. D. 10. Sermons preached upon several Occasions. London, 1682, octavo. They are in number fifteen, published by Dr. Tillotson. |